Osburn tapped for Banfield's board of directors

Portland

-- Dr. Bennie Osburn, dean of UC-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine was named to Banfield, The Pet Hospital's board of directors.

"Every academic leader, doctor and professional who is appointed to our board brings a wealth of knowledge and experience - Dr. Osburn is no exception," says Pamela Mars Wright, chairman of the board for Medical Management International (which operates as Banfield) in a prepared statement. "We continually work to build relationships that help establish and refine best practices and medical standards that we can share with the veterinary profession. Dr. Osburn's contributions will certainly help the board work toward achieving these goals."

In 1996, Osburn became dean of UC-Davis. His scientific contributions have included research regarding bluetongue, developmental immunology, congenital infections and food safety. Dr. Osburn earned his BS and DVM degrees at Kansas State University, and his PhD in comparative pathology from UC-Davis.

"Dr. Osburn's contributions to veterinary medicine have been outstanding. It's an honor to have a medical professional and academic leader of his stature contribute to our practice as a board member," says John Payne, president and chief executive officer of Banfield. "Dr. Osburn's knowledge and expertise will help further our mission of offering the highest quality of veterinary medicine in the world."

Osburn is active in many professional organizations and has served as president of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. He earned membership in the Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars and is a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is a diplomate and past president of both the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and the American Association of Veterinary Immunologists, and is an honorary diplomate of the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society. He also served as chair of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Biotechnology Research Advisory Committee from 1988 to 1991.

"I'm privileged to be part of an organization that has been making a difference in the veterinary profession. As an educator and veterinarian, I'm committed to improving the lives of pets and their human companions through medicine. I share this same passion with Banfield," Osburn says. "I welcome the opportunity to bring my years of experience in academia and medicine to this new role."