Ohio Veterinarian of the Year and OVMA president named

A cheerful moment displaying Dr Biggie presenting the 2021 Ohio Veterinarian of the Year award to Dr Haines (All images courtesy of the OVMA).

Outgoing president of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), Edgar Biggie, DVM, has deemed Patricia Haines, DVM, the 2021 Ohio Veterinarian of the Year. The award was presented at a special ceremony during the annual Midwest Veterinary Conference (MVC) and is the OVMA’s highest honor, bestowed to an individual who has positively impacted the profession.

“Dr Haines serves without fanfare or expectation,” Biggie said while presenting the award, according to an association release. “She embodies the qualities we aspire to be, not just as veterinarians, but as people.”

A graduate of the Ohio State University (OSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, Haines served as OVMA president in 2013. Her lasting passion for breeding and showing dogs led her to serve as a board member of the American Kennel Club and various local and national committees. According to the release, with a gubernatorial appointment to Ohio’s Commercial Dog Breeding Advisory Board, Haines was crucial in developing thoughtful, scientifically based laws governing commercial breeders. She currently practices small animal medicine at Pony Express Veterinary Hospital in Xenia, Ohio.

Biggie reflected on his year as president at the OVMA annual membership meeting and spotlighted the association’s achievements. The most noteworthy success was the creation of the OVMA Technician Recruitment & Retention Task Force and the release of its statewide survey striving to detect root causes and solutions to the technician shortage.

Dr Biggie's final presidential act, transferring his position to Dr Musolf.

Biggie’s last presidential act was passing the torch of OVMA president on to Barbara Musolf, DVM, and the sixth woman to hold this title.

“I am honored and privileged to be your new President,” Musolf expressed, in the release. “I follow in Dr. Biggie’s footsteps, as well as those of many other people whom I admire.”

A 1981 OSU College of Veterinary Medicine graduate, Musolf previously practiced mixed animal and small animal emergency medicine and was fundamental in creating a veterinary technology program at Cuyahoga Community College. Currently, she owns a veterinary relief service in Spencer, Ohio.

Reference

Haines dubbed Ohio Veterinarian of the Year, Musolf takes reins as president. News release. Ohio Veterinary Medical Association. March 2, 2022. Accesssed March 3, 2022.