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New York State Veterinary Medical Society

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Awards

In Good Company: Where NY Vets Connect

Honoring excellence in New York veterinary medicine.

Six annual awards recognizing the people who shape our profession.

Each year, the New York State Veterinary Medical Society celebrates outstanding members and contributors — from those whose decades of service have built our community to rising leaders just beginning to make their mark.

The Process: Submit a Nomination

The NYSVMS awards program is the way to honor veterinarians and their important work in New York State. The process is straightforward and open to every member — here's how it works:

Nominations 0pen to all NYSVMS members.

Regional approval no longer required.

1

Nominate

Complete a simple one-page nomination form. Include the nominee's resume and a letter of recommendation describing why they deserve recognition.

2

Review

The NYSVMS Awards Committee reviews every nomination and evaluates candidates against each award's criteria.

3

Approve

The committee chair presents recommendations to the Executive Board, which gives final approval. Recipients are announced and honored at the annual awards ceremony.

Now Accepting Nominations
2026 NYSVMS Awards — nominations due by July 31, 2026.

Award Categories

Six Annual Honors

Plus the Dr. Steve Kritsick Memorial Award and

the Auxiliary Award given as merited.

Highest Honor

Distinguished Life Service Award

The highest honor conferred upon a member of the NYSVMS. The award honors an individual of the highest caliber in the profession — one who has been a good and faithful NYSVMS member for at least 35 years and has actively and fully participated in society activities.

View all recipients
Stanley M. Aldrich, DVM
Robert F. Case, DVM
Robert E. Clark, DVM
Francis H. Fox, DVM
Arthur J. Friderici, DVM
Stanley E. Garrison, DVM
L. William Goodman, Jr., DVM
Richard C. Grambow, DVM
Henry E. Grossman, DVM
Chester Hartenstein, DVM
Ellis P. Leonard, DVM
Robert V. Manning, DVM
Frank E. McClelland, Jr., DVM
Robert B. McClelland, DVM
John D. Murray, DVM
Burton Saunders, DVM
Frederick B. Tierney, DVM
William E. Zitek, DVM
Harold M. Zweighaft, DVM
Alfred Grossman, DVM 2004
Arthur I. Kronfeld, DVM 2008
Linda E. Jacobson, DVM 2010
Susan R. McLellan, DVM 2010
David Hancock, DVM 2012
Larry Bartholf, DVM 2013
Thomas J. Gosdeck, Esq. 2014
Laurel Kaddatz, DVM 2015
Thomas Nytch, DVM 2016
Francis Fassett, DVM 2017
Ian Wetherly, DVM 2018
Walter McCarthy, DVM 2019
Robert Sofarelli, DVM 2020
Francis Welcome, DVM 2020
Richard Greene, DVM 2021
Roger G. Ellis, DVM 2022
Susan Wylegala, DVM 2023
Charles Andy Fleming, DVM 2024
society contributions

NYSVMS Merit Award

Honors a society member for significant contributions to the regional and state society and the advancement of the veterinary profession.

View all recipients
Pamela Abney, DVM
Allan Ahearne, DVM
Jacob Antelyes, DVM
James Apostolides, DVM
David Armstrong, DVM
Herbert Bandemer, DVM
Jane Bicks, DVM
John Brennan, DVM
C. Christopher Brockett, DVM
Allan Carb, DVM
Robert Case, DVM
Edward Chapman, DVM
Mark Crandall, DVM
Alexander de Lahunta, DVM
Henry Deutsch, DVM
Joseph Ferris, DVM
Donald Fox, DVM
Francis H. Fox, DVM
Arthur J. Friderici, DVM
Stanley Garrison, DVM
Martha Gearhart, DVM
L. William Goodman, DVM
Rodney Graves, DVM
Alfred Grossman, DVM
Christian Haller, DVM
Harry Hansen, DVM
Bernard Hershhorn, DVM
Clifford Hoppenstedt, DVM
W. Morton Howe, DVM
Linda Jacobson, DVM
Norman Johnson, DVM
Laurel Kaddatz, DVM
Arthur I. Kronfeld, DVM
John C. Laurie, DVM
Pepi F. Leids, DVM
Aloysius Lenhard, DVM
Ellis Leonard, DVM
John Marvin, DVM
Donald McKown, DVM
Anthony M. Miele, DVM
Jack Mindell, DVM
Harold Nadler, DVM
Daniel Nielsen, DVM
Paul Peterson, DVM
William Reese, DVM
Kenneth J. Rotondo, DVM
Joseph E. Savarese, DVM
Louis Schimoler, DVM
Regina Schwabe, DVM
Robert J. Sofarelli, DVM
J. Lloyd Tait, VMD
Rene van Ee, DVM
Thurman Vaughn, DVM
Francis Welcome, DVM
Bruce Widger, DVM
Bridget Barry, DVM 2004
Susan McLellan, DVM 2007
Allan Bregman, DVM 2016
Howard Gittelman, DVM 2019
Betsy Bond, DVM 2020
David Wohlstadter-Rocha, DVM 2023
Carmen Fuentealba, DVM 2024
Daniela Carbone, DVM 2025

early-career excellence

Rising Leader Award

Recognizes a current NYSVMS member who graduated from veterinary school within the last 15 years and has made significant professional accomplishments early in their career — including public service and volunteer activities that positively reflect upon the profession, plus an active role at the regional and/or state level of NYSVMS.

View all recipients
Amanda Schepis, DVM 2019
Joseph D'Abbraccio, DVM 2020
Roxanne Suarez, DVM 2022
Hope Jankunas, DVM 2023
Katherine Vissio, DVM 2025
since 1961

Veterinarian of the Year

Honors a NYSVMS member who, over many years, has served their regional society, the state society, and the veterinary profession in an exemplary and distinguished manner — judged by their peers as the most deserving in any given year. The first award was presented in 1961 to Dr. William Hagan.

View all recipients
William Hagan, DVM
Robert MacKellar, DVM
Frank McClelland, Sr., DVM
John Bosshart, DVM
Benjamin Finkelstein, DVM
Myron Fincher, DVM
A. Gordon Danks, DVM
Irving Zimmerman, DVM
John Regan, DVM
Dana Ford, DVM
Peter Olafson, DVM
Robert E. Clark, DVM
Robert W. Kirk, DVM
Robert McClelland, DVM
Grant Kaley, DVM
George Poppensiek, DVM
N. Bruce Haynes, DVM
Elihu Bond, DVM
John McCormick, DVM
Leo Wuori, DVM
John McCarthy, DVM
Stanley Aldrich, DVM
Charles Fletcher, DVM
Raphael Meisels, DVM
Robert W. Fuess, DVM
Robert V. Manning, DVM
Frederick B. Tierney, DVM
Arthur I. Kronfeld, DVM
Charles Rickard, DVM (Educator)
Myron W. Marder, DVM (Practitioner)
Richard C. Grambow, DVM
Alfred Grossman, DVM
Kenneth J. Rotondo, DVM
Linda E. Jacobson, DVM
William E. Zitek, DVM
Robert D. Farrell, DVM
J. Lloyd Tait, VMD
Harold M. Zweighaft, DVM
L. William Goodman, DVM
Catherine L. Cruz, DVM
Douglas G. Aspros, DVM
Laurel A. Kaddatz, DVM
Francis A. Kallfelz, DVM
Burton Saunders, DVM
Edward B. Chapman, DVM 2002
Walter K. McCarthy, DVM 2006
Donald F. Smith, DVM 2007
Wayne F. Warriner, DVM 2008
Joan E. Hilfiker, DVM 2010
Rene van Ee, DVM 2012
Eric Bregman, VMD 2013
Francis Fassett, DVM 2014
Laura Cook, DVM 2015
James Zgoda, DVM 2016 (posthumously)
Susan Wylegala, DVM 2017
David Leahy, DVM 2019
Allan Bregman, DVM 2020
Katherine E. Quesenberry, DVM 2022
Philip Fox, DVM, DACVIM 2023
Leslie Appel, DVM 2024
Lorin Warnick, DVM 2025

education | research | practice

Outstanding Service to Veterinary Medicine in NYS

Honors an individual who, through education, research, practice, or some veterinary-related occupation, has significantly contributed to the advancement and improvement of veterinary medicine in New York State. The recipient need not have been active in organized veterinary medicine, and need not be a veterinarian.

View all recipients
Pamela A. Abney, DVM
Max J. Appel, DVM
Robert B. Altman, DVM
Bruce W. Calnek, DVM
Leland E. Carmichael, DVM
Robert F. Case, DVM
Alexander de Lahunta, DVM
Robert W. Dygert, DVM
Peter A. Ferguson
Michael S. Garvey, DVM
Jay W. Geasling, DVM
Richard Greene, DVM
Robert E. Habel, DVM
William D. Hardy, VMD
Robert B. Hillman, DVM
John P. Huntley, DVM
Robert W. Kirk, DVM
John C. Laurie, DVM
Donald H. Lein, DVM
Barry A. Lissman, DVM
Si-kwang Liu, DVM
John L. Mara, DVM
Harold E. Nadler, DVM
William C. Rebhun, DVM
Victor T. Rendano, Jr., VMD
Stephen J. Roberts, DVM
Danny W. Scott, DVM
Bud C. Tennant, DVM
Richard E. Thoma, DVM
Charles V. Trimarchi
Roger Ellis, DVM 2002
Roger C. Riis, DVM 2007
William E. Hornbuckle, DVM 2008
Elizabeth Dole, DVM 2012
Robert Reisman, DVM 2016
Robin Sturtz, DVM 2017
Stephanie West, DVM 2018
Dean Snyder, DVM 2019
Tim Atkinson 2020
Curtis Dewey, DVM 2021
Elizabeth A. Berliner, DVM 2022
Mike Sabatino, CFP, CSLP 2024
Sue Zizza 2025

Additional Honors

Awarded as merited rather than annually

Established 1994

Dr. Steve Kritsick Memorial Award

Established in 1994 to remember Dr. Steve Kritsick — animal advocate and Good Morning America contributor. Recognizes individuals or organizations that promote responsible pet ownership, educate the public about animal welfare, or increase the visibility of veterinary medicine.

Recipients
Steve Caporizzo (1994) · Eloise Daniels (1995) · Rick Gary (1995) · Jonathan Greenfield, DVM (1996) · Cynthia D'Aquino (1997) · NOVA's Animal Hospital (1998) · K.C. Baker (1999) · Drs. Doreen & Gregory John (2000) · Alameda East Veterinary Hospital (2000)
By Special Vote

Special Recognition Award

Awarded on rare occasion to recognize an individual whose extraordinary contributions to the veterinary profession or animal welfare warrant special acknowledgment from the Society.

Recipients
Roger Caras · Linda Alfred Schumacher
Service Recognition

Auxiliary Award

Recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service in support of the NYSVMS and the broader veterinary community.

Recipients
Beatrice Schimoler · Mildred Fox · Carroll Manning
At the President's Discretion

President's Citation

Awarded at the discretion of the NYSVMS President to recognize members and staff for outstanding service to the Society, leadership on specific projects, or extraordinary contributions during their term. Multiple citations may be given each year.

Most Recent Recipients

  • Susan Cousins, DVM 2025 — GVVMA service
  • Sharlana Scott 2025 — Service as staff
  • Lauren Kleine, DVM 2025 — Board term
  • Stephanie Janeczko, DVM 2024 — NYS Veterinary Care Fund
  • Emily Whalen, Esq. 2024 — Legislative advocacy
  • Tim Atkinson 2024 — Service as staff
View complete citation history
Wayne Warriner, DVM 2003 — Chair, NY2K Conference
Larry Bartholf, DVM 2003 — Service on Executive Board
Mark Salemi, DVM 2003 — Holiday Party planning
Susan Klein, DVM 2003 — Chair, SA program at NY2K
Wayne Warriner, DVM 2004 — Service on Executive Board
David Hancock, DVM 2004 — Chair, NY2K Conference
Barbara Ahern, DVM 2004 — Outstanding service to Board
Burton Saunders, DVM 2004 — 50 years of service
John O'Connor, DVM 2005 — Service on Executive Board
Reid Oliver, DVM 2005 — Service on Executive Board
Paul Amerling, DVM 2005 — Chair, NY2K Conference
Joan Hilfiker, DVM 2005 — Service on Executive Board
Walter McCarthy, DVM 2005 — Government Relations service
Francis Fassett, DVM 2010 — Service on Executive Board
Bridget Barry, DVM 2010 — Co-chair of conference
Dean Snyder, DVM 2010 — Co-chair of conference
Barbara Ahern, DVM 2010 — Commitment and leadership
Frank Capella, DVM 2011 — HVH improvements
Mark Peterson, DVM 2011 — Conference speaker guidance
Meg Thompson, DVM 2011 — Chair of conference
Rene van Ee, DVM 2011 — Guidance of the Society
Dean Snyder, DVM 2012 — Executive Board, Government Relations
Eric Bregman, VMD 2012 — Executive Board, President 2011
Jennifer Mauer, CAE 2012 — First year as Executive Director
Tom Gosdeck 2012 — 2012 Legislative Session
Barbara Ahern, Esq. 2012 — Acting Executive Director during transition
Meg Thompson, DVM 2012 — NYSVC Planning Committee
Aaron Ward and Matt Relyea 2012 — Service as staff
Francis Fassett, DVM 2013 — Restructuring the VFAP
David Leahy, DVM 2013 — Dentistry legislation work
Mark Chmielewicz 2013 — Service to board/regional
Bridget Barry, DVM 2013 — Service on Executive Board
D. Anthony Beane, DVM 2014 — Contributions to Society and profession
David Leahy, DVM 2014 — Dental legislation
Lawrence Bartholf, DVM 2015 — NYSVMS Treasurer
Eric Bregman, VMD 2015 — Chair, Task Force on Accreditation
Robert Weiner, VMD 2016 — Recognition of board term
Heather Lago, DVM 2016, 2021 — Hall of Veterinary Health at NYS Fair
Dory Fisk, CMP 2016 — NYS Veterinary Conferences
Meg Thompson, DVM 2018 — Recognition of board term
David Leahy, DVM 2018 — Recognition of board term
Stephanie Quirini 2018 — Service as Communications Director
Dean Snyder, DVM 2020 — In Memoriam
Sara-Melissa Conklin 2022 — Director of Member Services
Stephanie Janeczko, DVM 2024 — NYS Veterinary Care Fund
Emily Whalen, Esq. 2024 — Legislative advocacy work
Tim Atkinson 2024 — Service as Executive Director
Susan Cousins, DVM 2025 — GVVMA service
Sharlana Scott 2025 — Service as staff
Lauren Kleine, DVM 2025 — Board term

Know someone deserving?

NYSVMS awards are only as strong as the nominations they receive. If a colleague or mentor has shaped your career — or the profession — consider nominating them.

Submit a Nomination

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