• Dr. Matt Read of Calgary, Alta., received the 2018 CVMA Small Animal Practitioner Award in recognition of his passion and enthusiasm for improving the provision of anesthesia and pain management in veterinary medicine.
The award, sponsored by Petsecure Pet Health Insurance, is annually presented to a CVMA member whose work in small animal practice, clinical research or basic sciences is judged to have contributed significantly to the advancement of small animal medicine, surgery, or the management of a small animal practice.
“Dr. Read is a pioneer as a private practice anesthesiologist. He brought anesthesia education to the masses one team at a time,” says Dr. Les McCurdy, veterinarian and owner of the Harvest Hills Veterinary Clinic in Calgary, Alta. “His ability to enrich our careers through education has greatly improved the welfare of tens of thousands of patients through the advancement of anesthesia and pain management.”
Read graduated with distinction from the WCVM in 1998 and went on to complete a residency in veterinary anesthesiology and a Master of Veterinary Science degree in wildlife anesthesia at WCVM. He became board certified with the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2002. Following his residency, he taught at the University of Georgia for two years before returning to Canada and developing and supervising the anesthesia services in two referral practices in Toronto and Calgary between 2003 and 2010.
In 2010, Read joined the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine where he has been teaching and continuing to practise clinical anesthesia in Calgary and around southern Alberta. He has delivered over 100 lectures and workshops in Canada and internationally and is preparing the second edition of a textbook, Small Animal Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia.
Later this summer, Read will move to Columbus, Ohio, where he will join MedVet, splitting his time between supervising the anesthesia service in Columbus and providing anesthesia and educational outreach to community veterinarians and MedVet’s other referral centres across the United States.
• Dr. Kathleen Parker of Three Hills, Alta., was awarded the 2018 CVMA Merck Veterinary Award for dedicating her entire career to contributing to the Canadian livestock industry.
The Merck Veterinary Award, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, is annually presented to a veterinarian whose work in large animal practice, clinical research or basic sciences is judged to have contributed significantly to the advancement of large animal medicine and surgery, including herd health management.
After graduating from the WCVM in 1981, Parker established a mixed animal practice in central Alberta. The large animal ambulatory service has evolved into a comprehensive mixed animal practice today at a clinic in Three Hills, Alta., where she also runs a purebred Suffolk sheep farm with her husband.
Her dedication and passion for the improvement of animal health has been demonstrated through her lifetime commitment to her own practice, as well as the various positions she has held within small ruminant organizations and her involvement with industry events.
Parker remains a valued keynote speaker at symposiums, workshops and conferences across Canada. She strives to encompass the overall scope of the animal health industry by empowering producers, students and clients to learn and understand the purpose and benefit of livestock welfare. She is a veterinarian that teaches those around her because it is her belief that knowledge is power.
“She has devoted countless hours to producer meetings, continuing education events for producers and veterinarians alike, and has sat on numerous boards and advisory committees,” says Dr. Leisa Floreani, veterinarian at the Fairview Veterinary Clinic Ltd.
“Furthermore, she has also mentored dozens of veterinary students from both the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary. The value of her tireless efforts towards developing young veterinarians cannot be overstated.”
One of Parker’s biggest contributions to the health of small ruminants in Western Canada was securing the funding and authors to develop the various modules that make up the Flock Health Manuals available through the Alberta Lamb Producers website.
In addition to these awards, the CVMA also announced the following honours:
• Dr. Barry Stemshorn of Ottawa, Ont., was honoured with the CVMA President’s Award for his exceptional commitment to the association and his tireless contributions to veterinary medicine and policy at the international level.
• Dr. Helene Van Doninck of Brookfield, N.S., was honoured with the CVMA Humane Award for her volunteer veterinary care and rehabilitation of over 400 injured and orphaned wildlife each year.
• Kannon Animal Hospital in Saint John, N.B., was recognized by the CVMA as the Practice of the Year for its commitment to ecohealth and green practice procedures, and its reputation for delivering superior patient care while showing exemplary compassion toward pet owners.
• Dr. Carlton Gyles of Guelph, Ont., was honoured with a CVMA Life Membership for his significant contributions to the national veterinary organization and the veterinary profession worldwide.
Visit the CVMA website for more information about the annual convention and the CVMA’s annual awards program.