SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA) announces its annual award recipients, recognizing Illinois veterinarian and industry professionals who provide compassionate care with leading-edge medical practices for companion animals and livestock, and whose actions impact organized veterinary medicine in Illinois.
“Veterinarians across this state care for thousands of companion animals in their hospitals and clinics every year,” said Nikki Johnson, DVM, Pekin Animal Hospital, Pekin, and ISVMA’s Immediate Past President. “From cats and dogs, to fish, birds, reptiles, horses, cows and goats and so many other animals, veterinarians and Certified Veterinary Technicians offer skilled veterinary knowledge and experience with compassionate care. Congratulations to these veterinary professionals!”
The following award winners were nominated by their peers and selected by the ISVMA’s Nominations and Awards Committee, which were presented at its recently held annual convention.
2024 ISVMA Veterinary Service Award
Presented to ISVMA members giving special attention or promotion of the human/animal bond, as well as demonstrating outstanding work as an ISVMA member.
Bob Ebbesmeyer, DVM, New Hope Veterinary Clinic, German Valley.
Dr. Ebbesmeyer firmly believes that the veterinary profession is a people business first, because veterinarians take care of pets and animals, making the world a better place for people. He also believes that veterinarians have a responsibility and obligation to become involved in their communities, the people they serve and the profession as a whole.
Dr. Ebbesmeyer earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1990. He has practiced both large and small animal veterinary medicine in German Valley since and has been actively involved with the Northern Illinois Veterinary Medical Association and the ISVMA, having served as its President in 2017-2018.
2024 ISVMA President’s Award
Presented to an individual or group that has significantly advanced the interests of the veterinary profession in Illinois.
Kelley Detweiler, Partner, Simple Solutions 4 Vets, Irvine, CA.
Ms. Detweiler is a business partner at a company that provides controlled substance compliance expertise. She has been a DEA and regulatory compliance expert, providing controlled substance and DEA listed chemical solutions to the veterinary, human healthcare, supply chain and pharmaceutical industries in both public and private sectors. Ms. Detweiler annually creates three Illinois-mandated opioid courses veterinarians are required to take for licensure, all offered through the ISVMA.
Ms. Detweiler is the author of numerous articles in trade journals and is the co-author of Safeguarding Controlled Substances and is the author of the column Let’s Talk Drugs in Today’s Veterinary Business.
2024 ISVMA Dr. Erwin Small First Decade Award – Two Recipients
Awarded to a young veterinarian who has graduated in the last 10 years, has contributed to and has participated in organized veterinary medicine, giving time and effort to support the profession.
Jason Kennell, DVM, Teegarden Veterinary Clinic, Washington.
Dr. Kennell says being a veterinarian was the only career choice for him. A firm believer in organized veterinary medicine, Dr. Kennell has been involved in local, regional and state-wide veterinary organizations throughout this career. He believes it is the only way to stay engaged with veterinary colleagues moving towards common goals.
Dr. Kennell earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. He also has a bachelor’s in biology from Judson University. He and his wife, also a veterinarian, own Teegarden Veterinary Clinic.
Dr. Sarah Wright, DVM, CertAqV, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Schaumburg.
Dr. Wright’s emerging career in veterinary medicine exemplifies diversity in the profession. While in high school in the Chicago area, she participated in a marine biology program at the Shedd Aquarium. As an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois, Dr. Wright became involved in many animal-related clubs, university and community animal volunteer programs and studies abroad in South Africa. She conducted research at university laboratories, and also did research with North Carolina State University and the University of Florida.
Dr. Wright has authored papers and articles, with her first peer-reviewed scientific manuscript published in 2019. She is the current Associate Editor of the AVMA’s AVMA Journals. Dr. Wright is a 2020 graduate of the University of Illinois’’ College of Veterinary Medicine.
2024 ISVMA Dr. Cecil Ingmire CVT Award-Two Recipients
Presented to a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the profession through involvement in organized veterinary medicine.
Shannon Seiss, CVT, Pekin Animal Hospital, Pekin.
Ms. Seiss has been working at Pekin Animal Hospital for more than 36 years. Her dedication and her strong work ethic ensures animal patients and their human caretakers receive the best in care. Ms. Seiss started the charitable organization Tazewell Animal Improvement for Life Society (TAILs), raising more than $100,000 for local animal shelters and control organizations to build open cat rooms and to provide needed supplies and equipment.
Shannon is a 1992 CVT program graduate from Parkland College.
Katalina Stuckey, CVT, Green Prairie Animal Hospital, San Jose.
Ms. Stuckey also works at the Lincoln hospital within the same hospital family, assuring everyone coming into each hospital’s doors that she is there to take care of the pet throughout its life. She has helped establish fear-free and cat-friendly services at the company’s three central Illinois locations.
A 2009 graduate from Parkland College’s CVT program, Ms. Stuckey has been involved with Parkland’s CVT advisory board, Blackhawk College in Galva’s CVT accreditation program, and the ISVMA’s CVT Committee.
The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA) predicts, monitors and confronts issues that affect the licenses of Illinois veterinarians. More than 1,900 ISVMA member veterinarians, veterinary students and Certified Veterinary Technicians depend upon the representation and services provided by the ISVMA. Their participation ensures the continued strength of the veterinary profession in Illinois, advancing the well-being of veterinary medical professionals, the public and the environment.