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Past Award Winners

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Distinguished Life Membership Winners

2023 Inductee

Chris Cowing, DVM

Over the past 45 years, Dr. Chris Cowing has led the CVMA with an infectious enthusiasm for serving organized veterinary medicine. A born leader appreciated for his humility and humor, Dr. Cowing has earnestly thrown himself into a number of CVMA leadership roles throughout the years. His extensive history at the CVMA includes serving as the President from 2012–2013 and two consecutive six-year terms as the CVMA’s District IX Governor.

 

Dr. Cowing’s many accomplishments as CVMA President include playing an instrumental role in the defeat of AB 2304, a bill that would have allowed laypersons to clean animals’ teeth. This victory for the CVMA concluded a nearly decade-long fight to ensure that only licensed veterinary professionals are permitted to perform veterinary dentistry.

 

Dr. Cowing has also served in leadership roles for two of the CVMA’s crown jewels: the California Veterinary Medical Foundation (CVMF), the CVMA’s charity arm, and Veterinary Insurance Services Company (VISC), the CVMA’s insurance brokerage. Dr. Cowing served as the CVMF’s Board President for two terms spanning some of the worst wildfires in California history, including the Carr Fire, Caldor Fire, Tubbs Fire, and Camp Fire. During this time, he ensured that charitable contributions from the CVMF were effectively transferred to veterinarians and practices affected by the fires.

 

More recently, Dr. Cowing oversaw the growth of the California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (CAVMRC) by securing the purchase of its mobile command center and trailer, which will significantly increase CAVMRC’s ability to provide veterinary care during disasters. As a long-time and current member of the VISC Board of Directors, Dr. Cowing has pored over countless complex insurance issues to make sure the program stays financially sound and relevant. In doing so, Dr. Cowing has played—and continues to play—a significant role in keeping one of the CVMA’s most utilized and important services not only operative but prosperous.

 

“I vividly recall meeting Chris during his first meeting on the [Board of Governors],” says Dr. Jay Kerr, CVMA past-president and 2022 Distinguished Life Membership recipient. “Fifteen years later, I think there are a limited few that can match [his] contributions to CVMA.”

 

Dr. Cowing retired from practicing veterinary medicine in 2021 after 47 years of service, but he continues to be deeply involved in the CVMA, including serving on the Finance Committee, Legislative Committee, Political Action Committee, Ways and Means Committee, VISC Board, and as an alternative delegate of the CVMA House of Delegates.

2022 Inductees

Jay Kerr, DVM

For 44 years, Dr. Jay Kerr has guided the CVMA with attentive leadership and generosity. After being a CVMA member for decades, Dr. Kerr was asked to serve on a CVMA task force, sparking his interest in organized veterinary medicine. It was the beginning of a long relationship with the CVMA, which included a term as CVMA’s president from 2011–2012.

 

One of Dr. Kerr’s most long-lasting impacts as President was his role in creating the California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (CAVMRC), the CVMA’s statewide animal disaster response program. Even at the time, Dr. Kerr’s efforts—for which he received the President’s Award- were greatly admired. But his legacy of disaster response and preparation would only come to be considered more invaluable and enduring as time went on, with wildfires growing in frequency and severity across the state. To this day, Dr. Kerr continues to develop and lead the CAVMRC, both as a co-chair of the CAVMRC Steering Committee and as a deputy field coordinator for on-the-ground work during deployments.

 

Dr. Kerr has led the CAVMRC volunteers through some of the worst wildfires in California history, including the 2015 Valley Fire, 2017 Tubbs Fire, and 2018 Camp Fire. Dr. Kerr’s contributions to the CVMA extend far beyond his disaster response efforts, with membership in a variety of committees, task forces, and boards. He served on the CVMA Board of Governors from 2006–2012, representing District VIII. He was also elected as the 2011–2012 President of the California Veterinary Medical Foundation, the charitable arm of the CVMA that in part funds the CAVMRC. Dr. Kerr is also a longtime member of both the Ways and Means Committee and the President’s Council Committee, where his acumen and altruism have continually paved the way for the CVMA through the years.

Bob Sahara, DVM

The past 49 years have seen Dr. Bob Sahara assist the CVMA and veterinary profession with the utmost loyalty, dedication, and strength. Dr. Sahara tended to the CVMA during some of the Association’s most challenging obstacles, and much of the CVMA’s resiliency and lasting success can be connected to him.

 

Dr. Sahara was open to offering his insight whenever and wherever the CVMA needed him, serving on a broad range of committees and task forces when requested. Dr. Sahara was the chairman
of the Move Committee, the Environmental and Public Health Committee, the Ways and Means Committee, the President’s Advisory Council, and the Headquarters/Museum Committee, the latter of which he founded. Dr. Sahara also served on the Board of Governors throughout the 1980s, a period that was financially difficult for the CVMA.

 

When Dr. Sahara took on the role of CVMA President in 1989–1990, the CVMA was facing the departure of its Executive Director and an increasingly urgent need to restructure its finances. With the CVMA lacking reserves, Dr. Sahara and his Board had to start from scratch. The CVMA’s financial outlook was completely revolutionized and set on a prosperous, sound path that extends to the present day. This change can in large part be attributed to Dr. Sahara’s leadership, wisdom, and tenacity.

 

Dr. Sahara later sold his practice and came to work full-time as the CVMA’s first-ever Director of Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Sahara made a profound mark in that role as well, crafting the CVMA’s first regulatory handbook and other aids to abide by Cal/OSHA requirements, which continue to instruct practitioners today. His efforts in developing these compliance manuals earned him the CVMA’s President’s Award.

 

“I have always found Bob to epitomize honor, integrity, and a great sense of humor,” says Dr. Ken Schenck, former member of the CVMA’s Board of Governors.

2021 Inductee

Dean Henricks, DVM

For over 50 years, Dr. Dean Henricks’ dedication and thoughtful leadership have helped guide the CVMA. Not only has Dr. Henricks been a valued member of the CVMA, he has been a devoted advocate, participant, and effective leader. Dr. Henricks served as president of the CVMA in 2010-2011, as the District V governor on the Board of Governors for two terms, and has served on numerous committees and task forces, including the Ways and Means Committee (Chair), the Veterinary Insurance Services Company (VISC) Board (Chair), the House of Delegates Executive Committee, the Leadership Development Committee, and others. “With his confident, comforting demeanor, and his knowledgeable leadership, Dean has clearly made the CVMA a much stronger organization”, reflects former CVMA president, Dr. Jay Kerr.

 

It is with great pleasure that the CVMA awards Dr. Dean Henricks the Distinguished Life Membership, the CVMA’s highest membership category.

2018 Inductee

Jon Klingborg, DVM

Dr. Jon Klingborg has served the CVMA for 23 years with membership in 30 different committees, task forces, and boards. While serving on the CVMA Agriculture Committee, he became a delegate to the CVMA House of Delegates, then was elected to the CVMA Board of Governors, and was eventually elected CVMA president and served in this capacity from 2004 to 2005.

 

Dr. Klingborg has been extremely active on many CVMA committees including the Agriculture, Public Relations, Human-Animal Bond, Finance, Legislative, and Political Action Committees. His involvement with CVMA task forces includes the Veterinary Economics, Dues, Mentoring, Animal Welfare, Physical Therapy, Restructuring, Animal Rehabilitation, Sunset Review, Eight Principles, and Premises Task Forces.

 

As part of the CVMA Legislative Committee for many years and its chair for nine, Dr. Klingborg was prepared for every meeting; and was knowledgeable of each bill, its updates, and its sponsor’s agenda. As Dr. Richard Sullivan explained, “His knowledge of the political process and how the CVMA fits into that process, is impressive.”

 

Dr. Klingborg is also a member of the California Veterinary Medical Board’s Multidisciplinary Committee (MDC) and has been its chair for the last two years. In this regulatory capacity, the MDC has had to address some very serious and difficult issues such as animal physical rehabilitation and minimum standards of practice, as well as others that are important to the CVMA, its members, and the veterinary profession.

 

The efforts of Dr. Klingborg reflect a dedication that exemplifies a lifelong involvement in a profession that he takes pride in.

2017 Inductee

Dan Segna, DVM

Dr. Dan Segna worked at the CVMA for 22 years until his retirement in 2016. Prior to becoming the CVMA’s Assistant Executive Director, he served as its Director of Computer Information Services, Director of Web Services, and Director of Membership.

 

Dr. Segna has been extremely active in all aspects of the Pacific Veterinary Conference and has been instrumental in the selection of high-quality CE for the conference as well as the CVMA’s fall and spring seminars. He has participated in many committees and task forces over the years including the Agriculture, Animal Welfare, Leadership Development, and Registered Veterinary Technician Committees and Economic, Animal Rehabilitation, and Governance task forces. He continues to be involved with the Legislative Committee and Premises Task Force.

 

Dr. Segna’s thorough knowledge of the Practice Act and regulations (including their history) made him a great asset especially at Veterinary Medical Board and Multidisciplinary Committee meetings. His ability to speak to the issue of the day with respect and understanding enabled him to represent the profession with class. He has tirelessly advocated for all CVMA members as well as the important issues that affect the veterinary profession. As CVMA President Dr. Ken Pawlowski explains, he “never had any doubt that [Dr. Segna] was always looking out for what was in the best interest of veterinary medicine and that this profession is stronger today because of his involvement.”

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