Metro East veterinarians among group’s leaders for 2020
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association announced the advancement of leaders and the election of new members to its statewide board of directors, following its recent annual convention.
At least three Metro East professionals are among the group.
“Our veterinarian professionals are the very best in their fields of animal medical practice,” says Deborah Lakamp, CAE, ISVMA’s executive director. “In addition, they are ‘tuned in’ to how legislation may affect their practices, thanks to a very engaged board of directors at the helm of this state-wide association.” ISVMA’s board collaborates with professional staff to closely monitor legislation and other key issues that affect how doctors of veterinary medicine conduct their business in small towns, farms and metropolitan areas in Illinois.
ISVMA has seven regions throughout Illinois; these new members were elected by ISVMA membership to join existing board members with their new terms in these key roles/regions:
• President Olivia Rudolphi, DVM, Rudolphi Veterinary Services in Noble. Rudolphi graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and served a professional internship with Steinbeck County Equine Clinic in Salinas, Ca., before returning to the practice on her parents’ farm. She specializes in large animal and equine sports medicine and therapy, and is a member of the veterinary commission for the U.S.A. Endurance Equine Team.
• President-Elect Devon Hague, DVM, DACVIM, in Urbana. Hague graduated from Ohio State University and pursued different roles within veterinary practice. Today, she is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine and head of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Surgery, Anesthesia, Neurology, Dentistry and Shelter Services at the University of Illinois.
• Vice President Colleen Lewis, DVM, Tuition Genetics in Altona. Lewis is a graduate of Kansas State University. She has served two terms on the ISVMA Board of Directors and specializes in bovine and embryo transfers.
• Treasurer Lynette Hemker, DVM, former owner of Greenville Veterinary Clinic in Greenville. Hemker graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and began working at the Greenville Clinic. She and a colleague purchased the clinic in 2012, and enjoys equine dentistry, dermatology and surgery.
• Immediate Past President Phil Fassler, DVM, River Ridge Animal Hospital in Dixon. Fassler is a graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois who enjoys working with pet owners and conducting surgery. He has been on the ISVMA Executive Board since 2010.
• Region 1 Board Member Ellen Helmers, DVM, Hawthorne Animal Hospital, Glen Carbon. Helmers earned her degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois. She is a graduate of ISVMA’s first Power of 10 leadership class; her passion is to preserve the human-animal bond so every pet caretaker and companion animal have the best quality of life together. Dr. Helmers was re-elected to a three-year term.
• Region 1 Board Member Edmar Schreiber, DVM and owner, Schreiber Veterinary Service in Sorento. Schreiber graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and works at this progressive large and small mixed animal practice in south-central Illinois. In addition to his veterinarian career, Dr. Schreiber serves as the Bond County Community School District Board of Education President. He was elected to a three-year term in a special election.
• Region 2 Board Member Christina Holbrook, DVM and owner, Capitol Illini Veterinary Services in Springfield. Dr. Holbrook graduated from the University of Illinois’ College of Veterinary Medicine. Her professional clinical interests include both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. She was elected to a second consecutive three-year term.
• Region 4 Board Member Peter Nichols, DVM, Washington Veterinary Medical Center, Washington. Nichols is a graduate of Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Outside of his clinics in German Town Hills and Washington, he assists with animals at Wildlife Prairie Park. He also served as the vet for the Peoria Zoo. Dr. Nichols was elected to a three-year term in a special election.
• Region 6 Board Member Lynda Gould, DVM, Ashton Animal Clinic, Ashton. Gould received her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and enjoys caring for all animals, with special interests in reproductive services, ophthalmology and livestock management. She was elected to a three-year term.
ISVMA’s annual convention was held in Tinley Park in November.
The ISVMA is a professional association representing more than 2,500 member veterinarians, veterinary and technician students and Certified Veterinary Technicians from around the state to promote and protect veterinary practices. ISVMA leaders and members study a multitude of cutting-edge medical and business practices, as well as pertinent legislation to determine their impact on pets, animals and their human caretakers.
ISVMA presents annual awards for veterinary profession excellence
SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing Illinois veterinarians and others who practice compassionate care with leading-edge medical practices for animals and their human caretakers and whose actions impact organized veterinary medicine, the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association presented their awards at its fall convention in Tinley Park.
“Amazing things happen every day in veterinary clinics by doctors, vet techs and staff across Illinois,” said Dr. Phil Fassler, immediate ISVMA Past President. “In 2019, and for some of our award winners, for decades, these professionals consistently seek and act to do what’s in the best interest for the animals we care for and their people who live with them. It’s truly inspiring the commitment they have to the health and well-being of pets and livestock, and the people who love and care for them, too.”
2019 Dr. Erwin Small First Decade Award (Awarded to a young veterinarian who has been practicing veterinary medicine in the last 10 years and has become a leader in supporting the profession through contributions to organized veterinary medicine.)
Michael Miller, DVM, Lakewood Animal Hospital, Morris. A co-owner of four veterinary hospitals, Dr. Miller started a wildlife rescue for hit-by-car turtles in 2015, leading to committee involvement with the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians. Dr. Miller currently serves on the Illinois Veterinary Medical Alumni Association Executive Board, is a graduate of ISVMA’s Power of 10 program (an initiative designed to help recent graduates develop skills in leadership, communications and business) and is the author of a Harry Potteresque vet blog that uses comparisons to the wizarding world to help others discover the magic of veterinary medicine. He earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois in 2011.
2019 Dr. Cecil Ingmire CVT Award (Presented to a certified veterinary technician who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the profession through involvement in organized veterinary medicine.)
Tina Welmon, CVT, ISVMA Education Coordinator, Fairview Heights/Springfield. Originally from Collinsville where she spent most of her time working in clinic kennels as a receptionist and assistant, Ms. Welmon was recognized for her assistance towards vet interns and new graduates from the University of Illinois, tech schools and clinics, as well as her instrumental role in establishing an accredited veterinary technician program at Vatterott College in Fairview Heights. She most recently took on her role at ISVMA as its Education Coordinator, who organizes and promotes continuing education opportunities for membership as required by state law. Ms. Welmon earned her Certified Veterinary Technician degree from Cedar Valley College in Lancaster, Texas.
2019 ISVMA Veterinary Service Award (Presented to an ISVMA member veterinarian who has demonstrated outstanding service as a member of the association.)
Claude Gendreau, DVM, Veterinary Orthopedic Center, Highland, IN. Dr. Gendreau was recognized for his selfless service to the ISVMA, sacrificing time from his personal life and professional practice to advance the well-being of the veterinary profession through his long-term service on its committees, task forces, board of directors and officer positions.
Gendreau has devoted an accomplished career since graduating from veterinary school in Canada in 1967 to the health and wellness of animals. He opened one of the first privately-owned specialty clinics in the country devoted to referral surgeries. It evolved into the Veterinary Specialty Center, a leading multi-disciplinary referral center in the Midwest. He also has donated time and services to his Chicago south side community by vaccinating and micro-chipping thousands of pets over many years.
2019 ISVMA President’s Award (Presented to an individual or group that has significantly advanced the interests of the veterinary profession in Illinois.)
Illinois Senator Michael Hastings (D) 19th District. Senator Hastings is recognized for being an unrelenting champion for the veterinary profession. The ISVMA recognized his guidance as chief Senate sponsor of Senate Bill 1665, the important exemption of veterinarians for the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program.
Illinois Representative Kelly Burke (D) 36th District. Representative Burke was also recognized for standing with the veterinary profession in Illinois as the chief House sponsor of the same veterinarian exemption legislation, Senate Bill 1665.
All award recipients were nominated by peer ISVMA member veterinarians and professionals, and then selected by the ISVMA Nominations and Awards Committee, comprised of volunteer veterinarian professionals.
The ISVMA is a professional association representing more than 2,500 member veterinarians, veterinary and technician students and Certified Veterinary Technicians from around the state to promote and protect veterinary practices. ISVMA leaders and members study a multitude of cutting-edge medical and business practices, as well as pertinent legislation to determine their impact on pets, animals and their human caretakers.
