(February 4, 2011 Stillwater, OK) – The Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association hosted its annual convention in Oklahoma City on Jan. 28 and 29. During the awards program, six with ties to Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences were recognized for their contributions to veterinary medicine in Oklahoma.

Dianne Hudson, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia), received Veterinary Technician of the Year. Hudson, a registered veterinary technician who also has her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Anesthesia, has worked at the center’s Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for 26 years.

Dr. Beth Ruby received Companion Animal Practitioner of the Year. Ruby is a 1999 graduate of OSU’s veterinary center and works at the Quail Creek Veterinary Clinic located in Oklahoma City.

Dr. Denis Matousek was awarded Food Animal Practitioner of the Year. Matousek graduated from OSU’s veterinary center in 1981. He owns and operates Matousek Veterinary Clinic in Hennessey, Okla.

Dr. Stanna Pope, a 2005 OSU veterinary graduate, received the Young Veterinarian of the Year Award. Pope works with her father, brother and sister-in-law—all OSU veterinary graduates—at the family owned practice, Boswell Animal Kare, located in Boswell, Okla. Stanna specializes in small animal medicine and canine reproduction.

Dr. Robert Bahr was awarded the Practitioner to Faculty Award. A board certified radiologist on staff at OSU’s veterinary hospital, this 1970 alumnus was recognized for his proficiency in knowing what practitioners need when they refer cases to the veterinary hospital and teaching tomorrow’s veterinarians how to best provide that service for their clients while maximizing their patient’s healthcare.

And finally, the 2011 Oklahoma Veterinarian of the Year award went to Dr. Michael Lorenz, dean and professor at OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. A 1969 graduate of OSU, Lorenz is the first alumnus to return and serve as the veterinary center’s dean. Throughout his career Lorenz has had a positive impact on the veterinary medical profession in Oklahoma, throughout the nation and around the world.

The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is one of 28 veterinary colleges in the United States and is fully accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The center's Boren Veterinary Medial Teaching Hospital is open to the public and provides routine and specialized care for small and large animals. It also offers 24 hour emergency care and is certified by the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information, visit www.cvhs.okstate.edu or call (405) 744-7000.

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SIDEBAR

Lorenz stepping down as Dean of OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences

Dr. Michael D. Lorenz announced in 2010 that he would be stepping down as dean of OSU’s veterinary center. The 2011 Oklahoma Veterinarian of the Year leaves large shoes to fill.

Lorenz is the first alumnus to serve as dean of the veterinary center and has done so with much pride and enthusiasm. A small animal practitioner and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, he understands the center’s more than 3,000 living veterinary graduates and connects well with alumni.

Having taught at veterinary colleges at Cornell, Georgia and Kansas State and having served as dean at Kansas State University’s veterinary college, he has proven himself as a leader in the academic realm.

Lorenz is recognized by his colleagues as being credible, loyal, and supportive. Outside of OSU, he is just as active in the Stillwater community where he and Velda, his wife of 47 years, reside.

His colleague, Dr. Ewing Sidney, nominated Lorenz for the award and says of him, ‘…he is a man of integrity, a good person who has given generously of himself to help others in our profession and outside it.’

Oklahoma State University is conducting a dean search for Lorenz’s replacement. Once the new person is on board, Lorenz plans to finish his career ‘…the way I started – being a good dog doctor and continuing to teach tomorrow’s veterinarians.’

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