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
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
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