American Veterinary Medical Foundation Announces Top 20 Finalists for America's Favorite Veterinarian

CHICAGO, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) recently announced the top 20 finalists for America's Favorite Veterinarian (AFV). The finalists were selected by an AVMF review panel from more than 500 nominations.

"We launched America's Favorite Veterinarian in 2013 to celebrate the special relationship between veterinarians and their communities," said Ginger Brainard, Ph.D., chair of the AFV committee, AVMF secretary.

Nominations are submitted by clients who explain in a brief essay why their veterinarian deserves recognition. A committee of judges including animal health industry leaders and the 2013 AFV winner evaluate the veterinarians based on the nominators' essays and the veterinarians' community involvement, ethical behavior, passion for the profession and connections to animals and their owners.

Dr. Tim Hunt, America's Favorite Veterinarian from 2014 was overwhelmed by how his small community banded together to help him win. "This honor has given me the opportunity to talk about the merits of our great profession to others," said Dr. Hunt.

"Each nominee's story is unique and compelling," said Dr. John Brooks, chair of the AVMF board. "It is the public who will decide America's Favorite Veterinarian. Vote for your favorite veterinarian at www.avmf.org/afv. Voting will continue through Sept. 1."

Here are this year's finalists:

1. Dr. Gary Richter – Oakland, CA
2. Dr. Monica Rudiger – Redwood City, CA
3. Dr. Kirsten Cooke – Gainesville, FL
4. Dr. Christy Layton – Plant City, FL
5. Dr. LaShonn McNair – Homestead, FL
6. Dr. Mitsie Vargas – Winter Haven, FL
7. Dr. Duffy Jones – Atlanta, GA
8. Dr. Jerry Klein – Chicago, IL
9. Dr. Natalie Marks – Chicago, IL
10. Dr. Tina Roggenbeck – Saginaw, MI
11. Dr. Raeyna Longtin – Cottage Grove, MN
12. Dr. Stacey Randall – Ocean Springs, MS
13. Dr. Marcy Hammerle – O'Fallon, MO
14. Dr. Page Wages – Raleigh, NC
15. Dr. Lisa Aumiller – Mount Laurel, NJ
16. Dr. Dustin Brown – Midwest City, OK
17. Dr. Emilio DeBess – Milwaukie, OR
18. Dr. Chad Harris – Austin, TX
19. Dr. James Radcliffe – Wheeling, WVA
20. Dr. Pat Warpinski – Green Bay, WI

America's Favorite Veterinarian will be announced September 2015 on the America's Favorite Veterinarian website. The winner will receive a $500 cash prize and a community celebration at his or her clinic.

Voters also will get to show their love of animals by donating to the Veterinary Care Charitable Fund (VCCF), which helps veterinarians provide free or discounted services to clients facing personal hardships. 

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).  For more than 50 years, the AVMF has been dedicated to embracing and advancing the well-being and medical care of animals. Charitable contributions to the Foundation help veterinarians care for animals, support the AVMA and its initiatives and fund education and public awareness. The AVMF has awarded more than $10 million in the last decade.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Foundation

Related Links

http://www.avmf.org