Award Winners Recognized at WVMA Convention

Oct 31, 2019 | News, WVMA News

The WVMA held its annual awards program at the 103rd WVMA Convention on October 11. Congratulations to these award winners!

Presidential Award

Dr. Katrina Geitner is the recipient of the 2018 WVMA Presidential Award. Outgoing WVMA President Dr. Robert Leder presented Dr. Geitner with the award, which is given to an individual or company who the president feels has gone above and beyond to help him and the WVMA.

“This past year the WVMA implemented the committee structural changes of 2107, which included the condensing of several administrative committees into an expanded executive committee. Dr. Katrina Geitner served as the chair of this newly structured committee and deftly guided it through multiple tasks this past year,” Dr. Leder said. “Her time, efforts, and insights are greatly appreciated.”

Corporate Partnership Award

The Fox Valley Animal Referral Center was awarded the Corporate Partnership Award. This award is given to a business that has demonstrated outstanding support for veterinary medicine and organized veterinary medicine.

“The Fox Valley Referral Center has been a stalwart supporter of organized veterinary medicine in Wisconsin,” said Dr. Leder. “Besides offering their facilities for meetings and events, they have shared their staff’s expertise for continuing educations programs and important legislative efforts at the capitol. We are grateful for all they do for organized veterinary medicine in Wisconsin.”

50-Year Member Awards

The WVMA is pleased to announce the following ten members who received 50-year membership recognition:

James Andrews, DVM – Dr. Andrews graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1964. He accepted a commission in the U.S. Army until 1966, then attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota from 1967-1968. Dr. Andrews was at a mixed practice in Durand, Wis., from 1969-1982, then moved to a mixed practice in St. Croix Falls, Wis., where he stayed until he retired in 2003. Dr. Andrews and his wife, Fay, currently reside in Shafer, Minn.

Raymond Backe, DVM – Dr. Backe is a 1966 graduate of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. He practiced at a small animal practice in New Berlin, Wis. Dr. Backe was a member of the state advisory committee that initiated the veterinary tech program through Madison Area Technical College in the late ’60 and early ‘70s and was the small animal chair of the Program Committee. He feels very blessed to have had the opportunity to practice veterinary medicine for 40 years, and found the experience to be extremely rewarding. He and his wife, Margaret, reside in Amherst Junction, Wis.

Victor Eggleston, DVM – Dr. Eggleston is a 1966 graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation he purchased a solo, mixed practice in Stockbridge, Mich. After about two years, he sold that practice and moved to Elkhart Lake, Wis., to be a partner at the St. Anna Veterinary Clinic, a primarily dairy practice. Dr. Eggleston remained there for 32 years, until he retired in 2000. Following retirement, he supervised a Johnes field research project for the UW Veterinary School from 2002-2009. Dr. Eggleston served on the Insurance and Legislative Committees, and spent time on the Executive Board, where he served as president in 2001. He and his wife, Joyce, now reside in New Glarus, Wis.

Morris Link, DVM – Dr. Link graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1968. He practiced at a small animal clinic in Madison, Wis. Early in his practice, he did extensive orthopedic surgeries for local practitioners. Dr. Link was part of a heavy breeder practice, working with breeders from surrounding states. Dr. Link retired in 2013. He still resides in Madison.

Ronald Niedfeldt, DVM – Dr. Niedfeldt is a 1966 graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. His career began while he was still in veterinary school, when he entered the Army Veterinary Corps. Following veterinary school, Dr. Niedfeldt spent nearly 10 years in mixed animal practice at the Whitewater Veterinary Clinic. He then started the Prairie Animal Hospital in Beloit, Wis., where he practiced until retiring in 2008. Dr. Niedfeldt is a past Rock Valley VMA president and a past WVMA Executive Board member. He and his wife, Janet, reside in Lake Mills, Wis.

Thomas Rutz, DVM – Dr. Rutz is a 1968 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. He is still practicing today at a dairy practice in Brussels, Wis. Dr. Rutz’s fondest memories of his career thus far include working during a time when solo practice was commonplace and having the opportunity to work with four generations of a dairy farm family. He resides in Brussels.

John Samuelson, DVM, MS – Dr. Samuelson graduated from Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1961. Following graduation, he practiced in a mixed practice in Horton, Kan., for two months before entering the US Air Force, where he spent 2 ½ years as a base veterinarian. Following his service, Dr. Samuelson attended graduate school at Cornell University. He received his MS degree in 1966. He then spent 30 years practicing at a general veterinary practice in Dodgeville, Wis., until he retired in 1997. Dr. Samuelson is a past member of the WVMA Insurance Committee. He and his wife, LaVerna, reside in Blue Mounds, Wis.

Richard Schmidt, DVM – Dr. Schmidt graduated from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1964. During his career, he was part of a mixed practice in Lodi, Wis. He was active in the WVMA, serving on the Executive Board, Finance Committee and as treasurer. While practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Schmidt saw a shift in the focus of the large animal practice. Early on, he said, large animal practice was directed to the individual animal. Later, the emphasis moved to solving herd problems. Dr. Schmidt retired in 1994. He and is wife, Vonda, reside in Lodi.

Geraldine Schumann, DVM – Dr. Geraldine Schumann is a 1967 graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She began her veterinary career in Aurora, Ill., where she was a relief veterinarian. She then started a small animal practice, the Hartland Animal Hospital, with her husband, Dr. Kenneth Schumann. Dr. Geraldine has fond memories of their six children spending time at their animal hospital. As they got older, they all worked there too. While none of them became veterinarians, she said they are all successful in the professions they chose. Dr. Geraldine retired in 2004.

Kenneth Schumann, DVM – Dr. Kenneth Schumann graduated from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1965. After graduation, he worked in Whitewater, Wis., until he received his draft notice and volunteered for the Army Corp for two years. In 1968, he started a small animal practice, the Hartland Animal Hospital, with his wife, Dr. Geraldine Schumann. Dr. Kenneth retired from his practice in 2004 but continues to stay involved. He has been doing volunteer work in Haiti for 24 years, including projects such as training veterinary technicians and goat husbandry. The Schumanns reside in Oconomowoc, Wis.