OVMA Awards of Excellence
At ceremonies held during the 2025 Oregon Veterinary Conference, the OVMA honored contributions to the veterinary profession and animals. The Awards of Excellence are given annually to deserving people and organizations.
2025 Meritorious Service Award
Dr. Doug McInnis
This award is presented to a veterinarian who has generously contributed time and energy for the advancement of the profession and community.
Dr. McInnis is a 1987 graduate of the Oregon State University’s veterinary program. He is a former OVMA president and is currently the association’s Delegate to the AVMA, a role he’s held as Delegate or Alternate Delegate since 2008. He served on the AVMA House Advisory Committee and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation board.
Closer to home, he founded the Animal Control Advocacy Task Force in Klamath County, connecting the district attorney, animal control, local attorneys and veterinarians to address animal neglect and abuse cases.
2025 Veterinary Service Award
Rogue Valley Street Dogs
This award recognizes an individual, group or organization that has promoted the veterinary profession and/or the well-being of animals, with emphasis on educating the public, research, or the practice of veterinary medicine.
Rogue Valley Street Dogs is a nonprofit charitable organization in Southern Oregon dedicated to improving the quality of life for pets affected by homelessness and poverty. Rogue Valley Street Dogs conducts regular outreach events and veterinary service clinics across Jackson County, where they provide pet food, gear, vaccines, flea/tick preventives, and more to animals in need.
In 2024, Rogue Valley Street Dogs helped spay/neuter more than 500 cats and dogs, assisted more than 800 people and their pets at regular outreach events, and funded emergency veterinary care for 100 pets.
2025 President's Award
The President's Award is given at the discretion of the outgoing president to an individual or group who has made an exceptional contribution to the OVMA and veterinary medicine. This year, outgoing OVMA president Dr. Charles Hurty presented two awards.
Dr. Heidi Houchen
Dr. Houchen is a 1992 graduate of Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She is an emergency and critical care practitioner at VCA NW Veterinary Specialists, where she is also Intern Director and Director of the Critical Care Blood Bank.
She served as OVMA president in 2020 and advocated for the profession in media appearances when veterinary practices were affected by COVID-19 rules.
She launched a statewide emergency care training program for EMS and K9 handlers.
Dr. Kurt Williams & Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Dr. Williams, the director of the OVDL, is a veterinary graduate of Michigan State University, and earned his doctorate in Comparative Pathology at UC Davis. The OVDL is the only lab in Oregon to be accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and be part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.
In addition to its work in animal health, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the OVDL partnered with a human medicine laboratory to perform more than 300,000 human coronavirus PCR tests. The lab has coordinated efforts with the Oregon Department of Agriculture to perform avian influenza testing for animals, and also tests milk samples from Oregon’s dairy farms.
2025 Practice Manager Award
Katrina Neuwirth
West Hills Animal Hospital
This award recognizes the role of the practice/office manager in clinical practice and salutes an individual who has exhibited exceptional professionalism in leading the practice.
As West Hills Animal Hospital’s manager, Trina skillfully balances the complex tasks of managing a busy practice with its overarching goal of providing progressive veterinary care with a heart of compassion. Her attention to detail, her proactive problem-solving, and her ability to deftly navigate the high-pressure demands of a 32 team-member practice helps the hospital meet its daily challenges. In addition, she is a Certified Veterinary Technician and a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, which brings invaluable clinical knowledge to her leadership position.
2025 Industry Representative
Alex Hacker
Zoetis
This award recognizes an individual who has exhibited outstanding service to the OVMA and the profession.
Alex has been part of the veterinary industry for over 18 years. His career at Zoetis has been defined by excellence, dedication and an unwavering commitment to supporting the veterinary community.
He builds strong relationships, delivers innovative solutions and helps veterinary teams succeed.
Photo Album
- View our Facebook photo album of past award recipients.
Past Award Winners
Centennial Award
1963 Dr. Vic Oliver
Honorary Membership
1952 S.L. Brown, Charles Evans, T. Sims
1954 E.L. Peterson
1972 Walter Leth, James Short
1989 Morrie Craig
1993 Nan Dewey
2000 Kelvin Koong
Award of Merit
1961 Dr. Herb Muth
1966 Dr. E. Derflinger, Dr. Ralph Plamondon
1970 Dr. Gary Bryan
1973 Dr. Dallen Jones
1976 Dr. Ed Wedman
1983 Dr. Linda Blythe, Dr. Daryl Leu
1985 Dr. Elwyn Coon, Dr. Norm Hutton, Dr. Charles Seagraves
1989 Dr. Jack Hardesty, Dr. Fay Rankin, Dr. Ron Schmidtke
1991 Dr. Gordon Cunningham, Dr. Richard Hillmer, Dr. DuWayne Penfold
1995 Dr. Andrew Mach, Dr. Ed Wedman, Dr. Robert Whittaker
Meritorious Service
Presented to a veterinarian who has generously contributed time and energy for the advancement of the profession and community.
1996 Dr. Richard Werner
1997 Dr. Billy Kuhl
1998 Dr. Dick Reid
1999 Dr. Roy Peterson
2000 Dr. Richard Coon
2001 Dr. Don Bailey
2002 Dr. Stan Blinkhorn
2003 Dr. Leo van Dijk
2004 Dr. DuWayne Penfold
2005 Dr. Marty DeWees
2006 Dr. Jerry Boggs
2009 Dr. Scott Hendy
2010 Dr. Susan Loomis
2011 Dr. Steve Brown
2013 Dr. Robert Franklin
2014 Dr. Bill Young
2019 Dr. Leon Pielstick
2024 Dr. Tom Keck
2025 Dr. Doug McInnis
President's Award
Given at the discretion of the president to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the OVMA.
1996 Dr. Martha DeWees, Dr. Scott Hendy
1997 Dr. Jerry Boggs
1998 Dr. Merry Crimi
1999 Mr. Glenn Kolb
2000 Dr. Doug McInnis
2001 Mr. Dave Barrows
2002 Dr. Kurt Schrader
2003 Dr. Steven Brown
2004 Ms. Marcia Keith
2005 Dr. Gordon Cunningham
2006 Spouses and Partners of Veterinarians
2007 Dr. Rich Holdren
2008 Ms. Marge Strother, Lilly Companion Pet
2009 Dr. Matthew Fricke
2010 Ms. Lara Smith
2011 Dr. Cyril Clarke, OSU CVM Dean
2012 Dr. Donald McCoy & Dr. Larry Anderson
2013 Salem Friends of Felines
2014 Dr. Tom Keck
2015 Dr. Keith Sides
2016 Dr. Brad LeaMaster
2017 Judy Tate CVT
2018 Dr. Emilio DeBess
2019 Dr. Sue Tornquist
2020 OSU CCVM Students
2021 Jenny Wood | Raina Dey (OVMA staff)
2022 Dr. Connie White
2023 Dr. Kate Schoenhals
2024 Dr. Michael Huber & Clinical Practice Veterinarians
2025 Dr. Heidi Houchen & Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Veterinarian of the Year
Awarded to a veterinarian who has made outstanding contributions to the profession through service to local, state and/or national organizations.
1969 Dr. E.R. Derflinger
1996 Dr. DuWayne Penfold
1997 Dr. Doug Corey
1998 Dr. Don McCoy
1999 Dr. Andrew Clark
2000 Dr. Marty DeWees
2001 Dr. Scott Hendy
2002 Dr. Brad Frank
2003 Dr. Heidi Buehner-McKenzie
2004 Dr. Leon Pielstick
2006 Dr. Paul Jones
2007 Dr. Jon Betts
2011 Dr. Gregg Takashima
2020 Dr. Sarah Bonner
Animal Welfare Award
Recognizes a veterinarian who has demonstrated outstanding compassion and/or developed programs that have been for the welfare of animals.
1998 Dr. Doug Evans
1999 Dr. Laird Goodman
2000 Dr. Bob Franklin
2002 Dr. Brad Pope
2004 Dr. Ken Fletcher
2009 Dr. Doug McInnis
2010 Dr. Doug Evans
2011 Dr. Scott Hansen
2012 Dr. Barbara Kahl
2015 Dr. Deborah LaPaugh
2018 Dr. Tom Holechek
2019 Dr. Brian Reister
2020 Dr. Kirk Miller
Veterinary Service Award
Recognizes an individual, group or organization that has promoted the veterinary profession and/or the well being of animals. Emphasis for this award is placed on educating the public, research, or the practice of veterinary medicine.
1998 Kim Singer, KPTV-12
1999 Feral Cat Coalition
2000 Deborah Wood, The Oregonian
2001 Dr. Barclay Slocum
2002 The Halo Group
2003 Evan Kalik, Cat Adoption Team
2005 Dr. Howard Wagner
2006 Oregon Humane Society
2008 Dr. Matthew Maberry
2009 Dr. Jerry Boggs
2010 Larry Chusid, The Pongo Fund
2011 Dr. Bill McCulloch, Delta Society co-founder
2012 Susan Faria, Senior Dog Rescue of Oregon
2013 Britta Bavaresco, ASAP
2014 Monique Balas, The Oregonian
2015 Fences for Fido
2016 Dr. Debbie Cochell
2017 Dr. Ben Braat
2018 Sound Equine Options
2019 The PAW Team
2020 Dr. Gregg Takashima
2022 Dr. Steve Kochis
2024 Helen Beaman LCSW
2025 Rogue Valley Street Dogs
Practice/Office Manager
Recognizes the role of the practice/office manager in clinical practice and salutes an individual who has exhibited exceptional professionalism in leading the practice.
2006 Linda Parisotto
2007 Lee Barg
2008 Debee Brown
2011 Jessie Merritt CVPM
2012 Diane Fowler CVT
2014 Gina Schluckebier
2015 Brandy Kagerer
2016 Brenda Bailey
2017 Dena Coyner
2018 Beth James (Fandrey)
2020 Traci Medeiros CVT
2025 Trina Neuwirth
Technician/Staff
Recognizes a veterinary technicians and/or veterinary staff in clinical practice who has risen above and beyond the expected responsibilities of the practice to provide outstanding client and patient service, with community service also considered.
2006 Leah Kennon CVT
2007 Gillian Cook CVT
2008 Kathy Charpilloz
2010 Kimberly McKay
2011 Carey Blake CVT
2012 Juan Lopez AHT
2013 Dolores Galindo CVT
2020 Lisa Caton CVT
Outstanding Industry Representative
Recognizes an individual who has exhibited outstanding service to the OVMA and the profession.
1996 Terrie Corcoran, Burns Veterinary Supply
1997 Leroy Ostrem, The Butler Company
1998 Rick Casey, Hoechst Roussel Vet
1999 Jim Houts, Summit Medical Equipment
2000 Linda Melton, IDEXX Veterinary Services
2001 Loren Heryford, The Butler Company
2003 Marge Strother, Merial
2004 Bruce Mackey, Hill's Pet Nutrition
2005 John Herkner, Pfizer Animal Health
2011 Vern Mason, Butler Schein Animal Health
2013 Jay Donkers, Pfizer Animal Health (now Zoetis)
2022 Keri Weppler, Zoetis
2023 Dr. Bobby Cowles, Zoetis
2025 Alex Hacker, Zoetis
Updated: March 11, 2025