This year’s award of excellence. I can’t think of a more deserving individual for this for year’s recipient. This individual has trained thousands of veterinary students during their career with an emphasis on critical thinking. They coach students to think like a doctor through all stages of the curriculum. Their teaching has been acknowledged with multiple college and university level teaching awards. In speaking with previous students, they consistently rave about the recipient’s impact on building a solid dermatology base instilling confidence and being able to assess and address skin cases as a Day One practicing veterinarian. They mentioned frequently referring back to the recipient’s robust note sets as their favorite and most used practical resource.

As an incredibly engaging speaker, the individual brings energy and practicality to any invited and sponsored presentation. With emphasis on the pattern approach to dermatology and clinical observations, #lesionmatter, lectures are consistently well attended and impactful. Their ability to make effective dermatology practice accessible on a daily basis is a true strength and a gift.

From a scientific standpoint, the individual has contributed numerous publications, book chapters and texts to the veterinary literature. Their ability to formulate collaborative and innovative research ideas has been shown across several dermatological areas. Taking an article that they annoyingly remembered the exact page issue and journal cover art from, and extrapolating this into other species, treatment interventions and approaches has been a benefit for multiple interns, residents and clinical patients.

The embodiment of what service looks like, the recipient has made major contributions to the ACVD. Having served on the board of directors for many years under the previous organization of the Board, they were instrumental in maintenance and development of the college web site and guidance for how the ACVD works. Development and implementation of resident benchmarks along with initiating the relationship to bring TraxVet training to our ACVD residents has helped strengthen and support various aspects of new colleague development.

A lover of good food, good wine and a good run, others have described this individual as steady, consistent, and confident. Their sarcasm will get you if you’re not looking for it. And while their taste in Bravo TV may be questionable, their appreciation of fun travel adventures makes up for it. So please join me in congratulating this year’s recipient of the ACVD Award of Excellence. My colleague, and my best friend, Adam Patterson.