Donald Piermattei, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVS, received the ACVS Founders’ Award for Career Achievement. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the art and science of veterinary surgery by diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. “Dr. Piermattei is a world-recognized orthopedic surgeon with a distinguished career in academia and private practice,” said Alan Lipowitz, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, who presented the award in October during the ACVS Veterinary Symposium in Washington D.C. “He truly exemplifies the criteria to receive [the award].” Dr. Lipowitz, of the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, also received an award. The Al & Carolyn Schiller Distinguished Service Award recognizes and honors recipients for outstanding contributions to the functions of the ACVS. “Dr. Lipowitz’s attention to detail, enthusiasm, common sense, intelligence and sense of humor have been extremely important,” said Anthony Schwartz, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVS, who presented the award. “He has helped the ACVS become a premier specialty organization.” In related news, the ACVS Foundation’s board of trustees presented the ACVS Foundation Legends Award to George Eyster, VMD, Dipl. ACVS. The award recognizes ACVS diplomates who developed a surgical or diagnostic procedure of significant value, proven by becoming the treatment or test of choice for a given condition. Dr. Eyster is recognized for several “firsts” in his surgical repertoire. For example, he is credited with performing the first open-heart surgery on a dog using a heart-lung machine. He also was the first to use an open-heart procedure to close a ventricular septal defect, to close an atrial septal defect and to successfully implant a prosthetic mitral valve in a patient. “Dr. Eyster’s innovation and creativity began the field of veterinary cardiac surgery, ultimately improving the quality of life for thousands of animals,” said Mark Markel, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVS, who presented the award along with Charles DeCamp, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. In other news, the ACVS named the new members of the Board of Regents. They are: Chairman: Steven Budsberg, DVM, of the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. President: Stephen Adams, DVM, of Purdue University. President-elect: Dale Bjorling, DVM, of the University of Wisconsin’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Large Animal Regent: P.O. Eric Mueller, DVM, Ph.D., of the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Small Animal Regent: Richard Walshaw, BVMS, of the Animal Cancer & Imaging Center in Canton, Mich. Treasurer: C. Collins “Andy” Anderson, DVM, of South Texas Veterinary Specialists in San Antonio, Texas. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons Foundation also announced the appointment of two trustees: Sara Colopy, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, and Jon Dee, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. Dr. Colopy, of the University of Wisconsin’s School of Veterinary Medicine, will primarily be responsible for helping the foundation initiate and optimize programs geared towards her peers and new diplomates. Dr. Dee will work to improve emeritus diplomate programs, especially the Legacy Program events at the annual ACVS Veterinary Symposium. He is in private practice at Hollywood Animal Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. <HOME>
