Downtown Minneapolis recently played host to a hub for veterinary continuing education. Members of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) and the Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians recently assembled for their respective annual conferences. 

Among those attending, speaking and receiving honors were College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) faculty, staff, students and alumni. 

One CVM faculty member and two alumni were honored during the event’s award ceremony.

Chris Stauthammer, professor and head of the Veterinary Medical Center’s Cardiology Service, received the Outstanding Faculty award, which is awarded to a CVM faculty member who provides outstanding service to Minnesota veterinarians, who gives their time and talent to the veterinary profession, is a leader who makes a difference to the profession, and is a dedicated contributor to organized veterinary medicine. Read more about Stauthammer’s award. 

Stefan Knep, ’93 DVM, was honored with the Veterinarian of the Year award. The award recognizes an MVMA member who has given much to the veterinary profession as well as to his or her community, and is a well-rounded member who is outstanding in the profession. Read more about Knep’s award. 

Katherine Pjevach, ’20 DVM, was recognized with the Emerging Leader award. This award is given to MVMA members who have graduated from veterinary school within the past 10 years, have demonstrated achievement and leadership through veterinary community involvement, and have actively engaged with others in the profession. Read more about Pjevach’s award. 

The Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation also announced the recipients of 24 scholarships totalling $173,500. Scholarship recipients included DVM and graduate students, an alumna, and a Veterinary Public Health and Preventative Medicine Program resident. Read more about the scholarship winners. 

Faculty and staff members Abby Brown, Luciano Caixeta, Tim Goldsmith, Annette Lundberg, Hemant Naikare, Devi Patnayak, Talita Pilar Resende and Melinda Wilkins led speaker sessions or participated in panel discussions. Graduate students Guillermo Arcega Castillo, Gabrielle Beckford, Sarah Neuser, Kendra Pachniak, and Towfiq Rahman gave research updates. 

The CVM Alumni and Friends Society also hosted a reception for alumni, faculty, current students, and friends to reunite with familiar faces and meet new ones.