OVMA Awards of Excellence: 2023 Recipients

At ceremonies held during the 2023 Oregon Veterinary Conference, held virtually, the OVMA honored the following for their service to the veterinary profession and animals.

2023 Outstanding Industry Representative

Dr. Bobby Cowles

Managing Veterinarian, Equine Technical Services, Zoetis

This award recognizes an individual from allied industry who has exhibited outstanding service to the OVMA and the profession.

Dr. Cowles has served over 25 years in many positions within veterinary medicine, including equine practitioner; principal researcher in regenerative medicine, infectious disease, and the use of diagnostic tools to treat animal health issues in multiple species; and volunteer and relief veterinarian to the Oregon Zoo. The veterinary profession and the public alike have benefited from his passion for education on animal health; from giving anatomy and physiology lectures to community college students and hands-on clinics to horse owners, to providing technical seminars for colleagues in the field and instructional support to the OVMA for the Oregon Veterinary Conference. Throughout the 2020 wildfires, Dr. Cowles worked with AAEP and local practices to obtain and deliver medical supplies for displaced and injured animals throughout Oregon. He received his BS in Animal Science and Masters in Hematology from Washington State, DVM from Kansas State, and MBA from University of Oregon. Dr. Cowles has received multiple awards from Zoetis for his contribution to animal wellness, and his dedication to his colleagues and their patients. He is indeed loved and appreciated by all who work with him, as he is always willing to lend a hand.

2023 President's Award

Dr. Kate Schoenhals

Field Services Veterinarian, Oregon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine

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. From Dr. Schroder's remarks:

This award is in recognition of Dr. Schoenhals's work with disaster management throughout Oregon. She is an equine veterinarian currently working at the OSU Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine as a Field Services Veterinarian, and has also been a clinical instructor at the college. In addition to that work, she has spent countless hours volunteering with disaster response efforts. During the catastrophic fires of 2020, she helped treat hundreds of livestock and farm animals at both the Linn County and Benton County fairgrounds evacuation sites. Then, when the Cedar Creek fire in Lane County happened in September of last year, she coordinated a student-led volunteer team to assist with pet care at our evacuation center. I was so impressed with her seemingly unlimited energy and positive attitude during a really crazy time. She was instrumental in starting a group called the DAM Vets —that is, the Oregon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine Disaster Action Management Team — which is dedicated to providing disaster response training and education to veterinarians, veterinary support staff and veterinary students. DAM vets has also partnered with OVERT and the state vet on disaster management. On her off weekends, Kate also takes student volunteers to do pro bono work for underserved communities, most recently helping with Warm Springs horse herd management. She is also one of the speakers for the FURst Aid public webinar series on equine emergencies. With so many professional responsibilities, it’s admirable she finds time to volunteer for the causes that she cares about. She is an inspiration to young vets to do the hard work that others shy away from. I hope to continue working with Kate and her disaster teams for years to come, and am excited to see what she will conquer next! Thank you, Kate, for all of your hard work and passion!

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

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

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

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

Practice/Office Manager of the Year

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

Technician/Staff of the Year

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

Updated: April 3, 2023