Awards & Recipients | Viticus Center

Congrats 2021 Award Recipients

Five postgraduates were honored with the Dr. W. Bruce Wren Food Animal Incentive Award, named for longtime WVC food animal program manager and industry leader W. Bruce Wren, DVM.

The recipients have demonstrated excellence in this practice area.

Dr- Brittany Diehl

Brittany Diehl, DVM
University of Florida – College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr- Blaine Johnson

Blaine Johnson, DVM, MS,
PhD Student
Kansas State University – Beef Cattle Institute

Dr- Jeff Olivarez

Jeff Olivarez, DVM
Iowa State University

Dr- Savannah Basham

Savannah Basham, DVM, MPH
Auburn University – College of
Veterinary Medicine

Dr- Luis A- Rivero

Luis A. Rivero, DVM
University of Missouri – Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery

Viticus Group
is Proud to Present the
Dr. W. Bruce Wren Food Animal Incentive Awards

Recognizing Five Recent Graduates in
Veterinary Medicine

The Award Purpose

The award is designed to promote Viticus Group’s goal of educating new graduates to maintain their interest in food animal clinical practice or other related careers such as food animal clinical skills instruction or applied clinical research while providing the educational enrichment opportunities offered by Viticus Group.

About the Award

Recipients receive a $1,000 stipend, complimentary registration, lodging, airfare, meals, and a $525 travel allowance to attend the Dr. Jon R. Pennell 93rd Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV on September 6-9, 2021.

Award Requirements

Graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary college.

Currently enrolled in an advanced training program from an AVMA-accredited school (internship, residency, or related graduate program) directly related to food or fiber production as regards beef, dairy, or small ruminant.

Award criteria emphasizes applied knowledge to further food animal veterinary medicine in the following order:

- Clinical Practice

- Clinical Skills Educational Instruction

- Clinical & Applied Research

Recipients must be able to attend the Dr. Jon R. Pennell 93rd Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada to receive the award.

Important Dates

Begin applying online – August 31, 2020

Applications are due – October 12, 2020

Recipients announced – November 12, 2020

Dr. Jon R. Pennell 93rd Annual Conference –
September 6-9, 2021

If you have any questions please contact Dawn Casagrande-Terry at dawn@viticusgroup.org or call direct at 702.433.9246.

2019 Continuing Educators of the Year ...

Each year participants select the Conference presenters who they feel are superior in their ability to deliver information with insight, accuracy, depth, and openness. We’ve tallied up the votes and the winners are below. Viticus Group would like to thank all the presenters who made an impact at this year’s event.

Brenna Fitzgerald,
DVM, DABVP
AVIAN & EXOTICS

Jamie Kopper,
DVM, PhD,S, DACVIM (LAIM)
EQUINE

Elizabeth Homerosky,
DVM, MSc
FOOD ANIMAL

Andy Roark,
DVM, MS
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

Sue Ettinger,
DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
SMALL ANIMAL

Megan Brashear,
CVT, VTS (ECC)
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

Michael Pedersen,
DVM, BS
MODERATOR

Todd Tams,
DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)
HANDS-ON

Distinguished Service Award...

Congratulations to Dr. Tony L. Watson, this Year's Recipient of the WVC Distinguished Service Award!

Given for exceptional service over time, unselfish dedication to veterinary education and advancement of veterinary knowledge, and significant contributions to WVC and to veterinary medicine.

Dr. Watson began working with Viticus Group while working in Nevada in 1990 as a Chairman. He continued Chairman duties until being voted onto the Viticus Group (then WVC) Board of Directors in 2002. In 2008, Dr. Watson took on a newly formed position as WVC Moderator Facilitator and has since served three terms in this role, and has contributed to annual planning sessions for Annual Conference.