Florida VMA – April 20-23, 2023
Event
The Florida VMA (FVMA) held its annual conference from April 20-23 in Orlando.
Awards
Veterinarian of the Year
Dr. Sharon J. Powell (Kansas State '90), Fort Myers. Dr. Powell owns Edison Park Animal Hospital in Fort Myers. She is a member of the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine, serves on the board of directors of the Gulf Coast Humane Society, and is a past president of the Caloosa Veterinary Medical Society. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022, Dr. Powell instituted the Be Kind campaign at her clinic, reminding and encouraging the community to stay committed to helping each other.
Distinguished Service Award
Drs. Heidi Ward (Ohio State '89), Sarasota, and Terry Clekis (Georgia '83), Bradenton. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in oncology, Dr. Ward owns Gulfcoast Veterinary Oncology and Internal Medicine in Sarasota. She previously served on the veterinary faculty of The Ohio State University. Dr. Ward volunteers and assists with hurricane relief, fundraisers to benefit animal welfare, and spay-neuter events. Dr. Clekis has owned Braden River Animal Hospital in Bradenton since 2002 and has chaired the FVMA Disaster Preparedness Committee since 2010. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, he coordinated with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the State Agricultural Response Team and assisted with response efforts.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Richard Carpenter (Iowa State '74), Sebring. Following graduation, Dr. Carpenter practiced food animal medicine in Iowa before serving as a clinical veterinarian at the University of Virginia. He subsequently moved to Florida, where he served as a relief veterinarian and later owned the Animal Clinic at Kelly Crossing in Fort Myers. Dr. Carpenter most recently worked part time at the Humane Society of Highland County. He is an honorary member of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine's Alumni Association, serves on the Alumni Council, and has chaired the Alumni Association's recruitment committee.
President's Award
Dr. Julie Moodoyan (Florida '01), Tallahassee. Dr. Moodoyan practices at The Animal Hospital & Pet Resort at Southwood in Tallahassee. She is the FVMA's District 1 representative and serves as treasurer for the Companion Animal Rescue Endeavor.
Citizen of the Year
LeiAnna Tucker, Tallahassee. Tucker works for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Animal Industry, serving as the emergency programs manager and the emergency coordination officer for emergency support functions, overseeing animals and agriculture, and the Florida State Agricultural Response Team.
CVT of the Year
Jessica Gagliano, Parrish. Parrish works at North River Animal Hospital in Parrish with a special interest in nutrition. She organizes learning opportunities for her team and is known for her calm and caring demeanor that puts clients at ease.
Gold Star Award
Drs. David Ball, Naples; Kim Ball-Schemmer, Naples; Crystal Berarducci, Parrish; Gerardo Diaz, Miami; Lawrence Garcia, Gainesville; Glenn Kalick, Jupiter; Julie Mosher, Saint Petersburg; and Morgan Watkins Tiefenthal, Sarasota
Officials
Drs. Jacqueline S. Shellow, Hollywood, president; Scott Richardson, Tallahassee, president-elect; Alex Steverson, Tallahassee, treasurer; Marta P. Lista, Miami, immediate past president; and AVMA delegate and alternate delegate—Drs. Richard B. Williams, Jacksonville, and Richard C. Sutliff, Fleming Island
A version of this story appears in the October 2023 print issue of JAVMA