AVMA - American Veterinary Medical Association
10/31/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2024 08:20
Washington State VMA – September 27-29
Event
The Washington State VMA (WSVMA) held its Pacific Northwest Veterinary Conference from September 27-29 in Tacoma.
Awards
Veterinarian of the Year
Dr. Sue WedamDr. Sue Wedam (Washington State '85), Yakima. Dr. Wedam served as a professor and directed the veterinary technology program at Yakima Valley College prior to retirement. Earlier in her career, she co-owned Prosser Animal Hospital in Prosser, Washington, and helped establish emergency veterinary hospitals in Yakima and the Tri-Cities area of Pasco, Richland, and Kennewick, Washington. Dr. Wedam is a past vice chair of the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. She volunteers as a clinical communication coach for veterinary students at Washington State University.
Outstanding Veterinary Service Award
Dr. Dana MorganrothDr. Dana Morganroth (Wisconsin-Madison '18), Tacoma. Dr. Morganroth serves as a relief veterinarian in the Seattle metro area. Earlier in her career, she practiced at Purdy Veterinary Hospital in Gig Harbor. Dr. Morganroth was recognized for her exceptional skills, positive attitude, and dedication to her work, based on reviews from her colleagues and clients while working as a relief veterinarian.
Washington State University Faculty Member of the Year
The team at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL), including the team at the Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory (AHFSL), were recognized for their contributions to Washington State's veterinary medicine community. Part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, these laboratories play a vital role in addressing disease outbreaks by accepting test samples at all hours and furnishing the results fast enough to enable mitigation decisions to be made in real time.
Distinguished Veterinary Staff
Lethea Russell, Pullman. A licensed veterinary technician, Russell serves as the coordinator for simulation-based education at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Clinical Simulation Center. She is known for her ingenuity and devotion to preparing new graduates for success in practice. Earlier in her career, Russell served as an equine surgery technician for two decades.
Humane-Animal Welfare Award
The development and marketing team at the Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County were honored for their work, which is indispensable to daily operations and keeps the needs of the animals in the shelter in the public eye. The team consists of experts in the fields of communications and public relations, fundraising and development, grant procurement and administration, philanthropy, capital campaign management, and marketing and social media cultivation. They are now involved with a capital campaign initiative to enable the establishment of a new facility within the next five years. In addition to their work at the society, the team assists other humane organizations.
Distinguished Achievement Award
Daniel HaleyDaniel Haley, Pullman, and the Simulated Client Troupe. Haley is a simulated client coordinator who, with the assistance of the troupe, trains veterinary students via simulated clinical experiences such as administering anesthesia and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He recruits, trains, and provides quality assurance for individuals in the troupe who serve as simulated participants, most of who are clients in the simulation program at Washington State's veterinary college, and who are devoted to helping educate students. Haley also assists in producing instructional and promotional videos.
Allied Industry Partner Award
Rod Johnston, Kenmore. A practice transition consultant, Johnston is the founder of Omni Practice Group. His company educates and assists veterinarians with the purchase and sale of practices via seminars and lectures at veterinary conferences.
Business
For the upcoming fiscal year, the association's strategic goals will center on increasing membership and protecting the veterinary profession through legislation and regulatory advocacy. The WSVMA will continue to focus on assisting members on issues created by the workforce crisis and on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Three new members were appointed to the board of directors to fill newly created representation and diversity positions.
Officials
Dr. Eddie HaighDr. Sally Thompson-IritaniDr. Eddie Haigh, Shelton, president; Dr. Sally Thompson-Iritani, Seattle, vice president; Dr. Haena Lee, Federal Way, secretary; Dr. Melanie Bowden, Renton, treasurer; Ken Gordon, Seattle, chief executive officer; and directors-Drs. Radha Ganesan, Seattle; Robert Mealey, Pullman; Lily Ngai, Seattle; Katie Kuehl, Seattle; Kristi Wubben, Vancouver; and Irene Yen, Renton