Annual AAVMC Awards Program
AAVMC grants various awards to inspire and recognize professional excellence in academic veterinary medicine.
AAVMC Excellence in Research Award
In 2011, the Board of Directors established the AAVMC Excellence in Research Award to recognize outstanding research and scholarly achievements in the field of veterinary medicine. The award honors those who demonstrate excellence in original research, leadership in the scientific community, and exceptional mentoring of trainees and colleagues in any discipline of veterinary medicine. This award showcases the contributions of AAVMC member institutions to the scientific community, and the Award Committee seeks the most outstanding individuals for this recognition.
Click here for the award criteria and nomination information.
Past recipients of the AAVMC Excellence in Research Award
2024 – Dr. Qijing Zhang
2023 – Dr. Pamela J. Lein
2022 – Dr. Barry T. Rouse
2021 – Dr. Juergen Richt
2020 – Dr. Peter J. Havel
2019 – Dr. Guy Palmer
2018 – Dr. Colin Parrish
2017 – Dr. Edward Breitschwerdt
2016 – Dr. James Womack
2015 – Dr. Susan VandeWoude
2014 – Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka
2013 – Dr. James Fox
2012 – Dr. Edward Hoover
2011 – Dr. Stephen Barthold
AAVMC Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award, Presented by Zoetis
The AAVMC Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award, presented by Zoetis, recognizes excellence in professional veterinary medical education. It is the most prestigious teaching award in veterinary medicine and is presented to an educator whose sustained record of teaching excellence and ability, dedication, character and leadership has contributed significantly to the advancement of the profession. Each individual college selects a recipient in the spring. Colleges may then nominate their recipient for the national award, which is chosen by the AAVMC.
Click here for the award criteria and nomination information.
Past recipients of the AAVMC Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award, Presented by Zoetis (partial list of recent recipients)
2023 – Dr. Rance Sellon
2022 – Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez
2021 – Dr. Erin Malone
2020 – Dr. Steven Hines
2019 – Dr. Jerome Masty
2018 – Dr. Gayle B. Brown
2017 – Dr. Jennifer Hodgson
2016 – Dr. Steven Stockham
2015 – Dr. Pete Bill
2014 – Dr. Jon Patterson
2013 – Dr. Matthew Mellema
2012 – Dr. Mary Anna Thrall
2011 – Dr. Anton Hoffman
2010 – Dr. Richard Meadows
2009 – Dr. Larry Adams
2008 – Dr. Bonnie Smith
2007 – Dr. S. Kathleen Salisbury
2006 – Dr. L. Ray Whalen
2005 – Dr. Peter MacWilliams
2004 – Dr. Holly Bender
2003 – Dr. S. Dru Forrester
2002 – Dr. Scott Brown
2001 – Dr. Steven Kincaid
2000 – Dr. Bradley Klein
1999 – Dr. Sharon Patton
1998 – Dr. Steven Parish
1997 – Dr. Mary Christopher
1996 – Dr. Stephen Hines
1995 – Dr. Kent Ames
1994 – Dr. Michael Willard
1993 – Dr. Roger Panciera
1992 – Dr. Raymond Sweeney
1991 – Dr. David Tyler
AAVMC Senator John Melcher, DVM Leadership in Public Policy Award
The Board of Directors established the Senator John Melcher, DVM Leadership in Public Policy Award in 2007. The award is presented in recognition of leadership in public policy for advancing veterinary medical education.
Past recipients of the AAVMC Senator John Melcher, DVM Leadership in Public Policy Award. This award was retired as of 2022.
2021 – Dr. Michael Blackwell
2020 – Dr. Glen Hoffsis
2019 – Dr. Gerald W. Parker, Jr.
2018 – Dr. James A. Roth
2016 – Dr. Phillip Nelson
2015 – Dr. L Garry Adams
2014 – Dr. John Hermann
2013 – Dr. William Hueston
2012 – Dr. Lonnie King
2011 – Dr. John Thomson
2010 – Dr. Lawrence Heider
2009 – Dr. Bennie Osburn
2008 – Dr. Leon Russell
2007 – Senator John Melcher
AAVMC Iverson Bell Award
The Iverson Bell Award is presented in alternating years in memory and recognition of Dr. Iverson Bell’s outstanding leadership and contributions in the promotion of diversity in veterinary medical education.
Click here for the award criteria and nomination information.
Past recipients of the Iverson Bell Award
2024 – Dr. Hilda Mejia Abreu and Dr. Monica Howard
2023 – Dr. Rustin Moore
2022 – Dr. Lorrie Gaschen
2021 – Dr. Ruby Perry
2020 – Drs. Jaime Gongora and Sandra San Miguel
2019 – Dr. Kenita S. Rogers
2017 – Dr. Allen Cannedy
2015 – Dr. K. Paige Carmichael
2013 – Dr. Ronnie Elmore
2011 – Dr. Willie Reed
2009 – Dr. Tracy Hanner
2007 – Dr. Halcyon Watkins
2005 – Dr. James Coffman
2003 – Dr. Alfonza Atkinson
2001 – Dr. Louis Archbold
1999 – Dr. Eugene Adams
1997 – Dr. Sylvia Graham
1995 – Dr. Albert Dade
1993 – Dr. Walter Bowie
1991 – Ms. Patricia Lowrie
1989 – Dr. Billy Hooper
AAVMC Billy E. Hooper Award for Distinguished Service
The Billy E. Hooper Award for Distinguished Service is an annual honor established in January 1990 by the Board of Directors to recognize an individual whose leadership and vision has made a significant contribution to academic veterinary medicine and the veterinary profession.
Click here for the award criteria and nomination information.
Past recipients of the AAVMC Billy E. Hooper Award for Distinguished Service:
2024 – Dr. India Lane
2023 – Dr. John R. Pascoe
2022 – Dr. Daryl D. Buss
2021 – Dr. Corrie Brown
2020 – Dr. Eleanor Green
2019 – Dr. Elizabeth Strand
2018 – Dr. Norman B. Williamson
2017 – Dr. Francisco J. Trigo Tavera
2016 – Dr. Ralph Richardson
2015 – Dr. Lance Perryman
2014 – Dr. Joe Kornegay
2013 – Dr. James Coffman
2012 – Dr. Malcom Getz
2011 – Dr. Peter Eyre
2010 – Ms. Patricia Lowrie
2009 – Dr. Keith Prasse
2008 – Dr. J.T. Vaughn
2007 – Dr. John Shadduck
2006 – Dr. Richard Dierks
2005 – Dr. W. R. Pritchard
2004 – Dr. N. Ole Nielsen
2003 – Dr. Bill Jenkins
2002 – Dr. Lester Crawford
AAVMC Communications Excellence Award
Effective communication programs play a critical role in the success of all organizations. This is especially important in academic veterinary medicine, where economic issues facing higher education and the profession of veterinary medicine require informed and engaged stakeholders. This award, established in 2013, seeks to recognize communication excellence at AAVMC member Institutions and participation with AAVMC national communication programs.
As of 2021, the award transitioned to a team-focused category.
This award was retired as of 2023.
Past recipients of the AAVMC Communications Excellence Award:
2022 – The Ohio State University
2021 – University of Wisconsin
2020 – Kevin Doerr
2019 – Joe Montgomery
2018 – Kristen Browning-Blas
2017 – Sarah Carey
2016 – Dr. Megan Palsa
2015 – Ms. Linda Ybarra
2014 – Ms. Ashley Berk
AAVMC Award for Fundraising Excellence in Student Scholarships
The AAVMC’s Award for Fundraising Excellence in Student Scholarships is open to development programs within any AAVMC member institution.
To ensure equal opportunities for all institutions regardless of staff size and scope of program, judges will evaluate qualitative data that details new and innovative strategies for increased productivity in this area, program goals and implementation, resources applied (human and otherwise), and results.
Past recipients of the Award for Fundraising Excellence in Student Scholarships. This award was retired as of 2022.
2020 – Amy Kruzich
2019 – Danielle Johnson
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