Miss. Congressman wins AVMA Advocacy Award

NEW ORLEANS — The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) presented U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Miss.) with the first AVMA Advocacy Award at its annual conference.

U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering

The award is a symbol of AVMA's commitment to state and federal advocacy.

Pickering, who is serving his sixth term in Congress, was selected by the AVMA Executive Board to receive the inaugural award for his support of issues important to veterinary medicine.

"Over the past several years, Rep. Pickering has been an invaluable and unequivocal champion of legislation vital to both animal and human health," AVMA President Dr. Gregory Hammer said. "He led Congress in passing four major pieces of legislation — the Animal Drug Availability Act, Animal Drug User Fee Act, Minor Use and Minor Species Act and the National Veterinary Medical Services Act, a long-awaited program to bring veterinarians to underserved areas. I can think of few others in Congress who have stood up so bravely and consistently for veterinary medicine."

Other award recipients are:

AVMA President's Award: Darlene Verbelia, Dr. John Noordsy, Dr. Peter Eyre.

AVMA Humane Award: Sharon Harmon

AVMA Award: Dr. Peter Haynes

Meritorious Service Award: Dr. Theodore B. Robinson

XII International Veterinary Congress Prize: Dr. Colin F. Burrows

Charles River Prize: Dr. Stephen Barthold

AVMA Public Service Award: Dr. Daniel Lafontaine

Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award: Dr. Jane Shaw

Karl F. Meyer - James H. Steele Gold Head Cane Award: Dr. William Stokes

Animal Welfare Award: Dr. Lila Miller

Lifetime Excellence in Research Award: Dr. Charles Capen

Student AVMA Teaching Excellence Award - Basic Sciences: Dr. Paul Maza

Student AVMA Teaching Excellence Award - Clinical Sciences: Dr. John Rossmeisl