The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) presented awards to a number of veterinarians, including Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) and University of Guelph alumni, during their annual conference in late January.
Golden
life Membership Awards - James Mantle, DVM and Michael Ritter, DVM
The
OVMA Golden Life Membership Award recognizes OVMA members who are retired from
full-time career pursuits of veterinary medicine or who have been a
veterinarian for a minimum of 30 years and have served the profession in an
extraordinary manner. Recipients receive an honorary lifetime OVMA membership.
A 1978 graduate from OVC, Dr. James Mantle spent most of his 40-year career at the Lindsay Animal Clinic where he focused on large animal clients.
Dr. Michael Ritter graduated from OVC in 1978 and spent his entire veterinary career at the New Hamburg Veterinary Clinic. For 40 years, until his recent retirement, he cared for the community’s livestock and companion animals.
Outstanding
Veterinarian Award - Mark Gemmill, DVM
The
Outstanding Veterinarian Award is presented to a veterinarian for their
outstanding contributions to the veterinary profession.
Dr. Mark Gemmill graduated from OVC in 1993. After graduation, he joined Cornell Animal Hospital in Guelph, purchasing the practice in 2003 and significantly expanding the practice a few years later.
Award
of Merit - Scott Bainbridge, DVM
The
OVMA Award of Merit recognizes individuals for their practice of, or help to,
veterinary medicine. It is awarded for distinguished public service to the
veterinary profession in any form.
Dr. Scott Bainbridge graduated from OVC in 1999. One year after graduating, he co-founded his first practice, Queen West Animal Hospital, and then opened Dundas West Animal Hospital in 2008.
Rising
Star Award - Christian Heyerhoff, DVM
The
Rising Star Award is presented to an associate veterinarian who has demonstrated superior
leadership in their place of employment and their community; for the betterment
of animal welfare and/or their clients and/or their colleagues in the
veterinary profession.
Dr. Christian Heyerhoff obtained his degree in animal biology from the University of Guelph in 2010, before travelling to Ireland to study veterinary medicine at University College Dublin, where he graduated in 2015. He is with the Prescott Animal Hospital/Rideau-St. Lawrence Veterinary Services, where he specializes in large animal medicine and surgery.
Read more about all the award winners on the OVMA website.