Mary Olson, ’76 DVM, and Jennifer Schurrer, ’06 DVM, ’07 MS

Mary Olson, ’76 DVM, and Jennifer Schurrer, ’06 DVM, ’07 MS, won the President’s Award from the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA). The MVMA President’s Award recognizes those who have contributed significantly to the veterinary profession and the MVMA, and that have promoted the human-animal bond, animal health, and welfare or public health.

Olson and Schurrer have led Minnesota's prescription monitoring program, VetPMP. They started to develop VetPMP nearly a year ago—it was launched at the MVMA Annual Meeting in February. The pair created VetPMP to help control the current opioid crisis and prevent misuse of controlled pain medications.

Olson is one of the owners of East Central Veterinarians. Olson, along with two other veterinarians, countless FFA’ers, and volunteers are responsible for bringing the Miracle of Birth Center to the Minnesota State Fair. Olson has also been president of the MVMA (2000-2001).

Schurrer joined East Central Veterinarians in 2015 as the practice manager. She is currently the chair of the MVMA Small Animal Continuing Education Committee, which helps provide an opportunity for Minnesota veterinarians improve their knowledge and skills to care for their patents.