May 6, 2009

AUBURN, Ala.– The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine has named three of its graduates as 2009 Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished Alumni in honor of their contributions to animal welfare, the profession, and their communities.

Jenks S. Britt, D.V.M., of Bowling Green, Kentucky, is named as a recipient along with David McClary, D.V.M., of Auburn, Alabama, and R. Michael Thomas, D.V.M., of Indianapolis, Indiana.

“Dr. Britt is distinguished in the areas of private veterinary practice and academia,” said Timothy R. Boosinger, dean of Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine during the college’s commencement ceremony on May 5.

A 1970 graduate of Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Britt is a 1966 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and biology. In 1998 he returned to Western Kentucky University as an associate professor and head of the department of agriculture. He continues as an associate professor in agriculture today.

Prior to 1993, Dr. Britt was in private practice in Kentucky specializing in animal health management, reproductive, and embryo transfer services. From 1993 to 1998, he served as a clinical assistant professor in the food animal production medicine section at the University of Wisconsin, College of Veterinary Medicine. Throughout his career, Dr. Britt has received numerous awards including Auburn’s El Toro Award for Excellence in Food Animal Medicine (2005), Veterinarian of the Year from the Kentucky Medical Association (1993), Practitioner of the Year from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (1992), and Western Kentucky University Alumni of the Year (1992).

A diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Dr. Britt is a past president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. He has served on the board of directors for the National Mastitis Council, the International Embryo Transfer Society, the American Embryo Transfer Association, and the Kentucky Holstein Cattle Club. He has authored or co-authored over 200 publications and presented over 200 invited lectures in the U.S. and internationally. A consultant in the areas of dairy nutrition, reproduction, and quality milk production, Dr. Britt continues his consultant work for large herds in the United States and Mexico.

The distinguished alumni award is named in honor of Dr. Wilford S. Bailey, a veterinary parasitologist, who held a 50-year continuous faculty appointment at Auburn University after receiving his veterinary degree in 1942, serving in positions from instructor to university president.

May 6, 2009

AUBURN, Ala.– The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine has named three of its graduates as 2009 Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished Alumni in honor of their contributions to animal welfare, the profession, and their communities.

David McClary, D.V.M., currently of Auburn, Ala., is named as a recipient along with Jenks S. Britt, D.V.M., of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and R. Michael Thomas, D.V.M., of Indianapolis, Indiana.

A 1974 graduate of Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. David McClary returned to Auburn and completed a residency in theriogenology, receiving a Master of Science in large animal surgery and medicine in 1982. Board certified by the American College of Theriogenology, he served as an assistant professor at Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine before accepting the position of research veterinarian with Elanco Animal Health in 1987. “Since that time, Dr. McClary has had a stellar career in pharmaceutical technical services,” said Timothy R. Boosinger, dean of the college.

Before enrolling in Auburn's veterinary program, Dr. McClary earned his bachelor's degree from Western Kentucky University in 1970. 

Dr. McClary is a member and past president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP). At the 2008 AABP Convention, Dr. McClary received a distinguished service award. He helped create the AABP student membership program and organize other student recruitment activities. 

Dr. McClary currently serves as a cattle technical consultant for the Midwest district for Elanco Animal Health. 

“As chair of the Alumni Advisory Council for the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. McClary is an active supporter of the college and Auburn University, said Dean Boosinger. “He served as college chair for the ‘It Begins at Auburn’ fundraising campaign that created over $33.5 million in funds for the College of Veterinary Medicine.”

In recognition of his many contributions to Auburn University and his generous support of the college, a veterinary teaching barn is named in Dr. McClary’s honor.

The distinguished alumni award is named in tribute of Dr. Wilford S. Bailey, a veterinary parasitologist, who held a 50-year continuous faculty appointment at Auburn University after receiving his veterinary degree in 1942, serving in positions from instructor to university president.

May 6, 2009

AUBURN, Ala.– The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine has named three of its graduates as 2009 Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished Alumni in honor of their contributions to animal welfare, the profession, and their communities.

R. Michael Thomas, D.V.M., of Indianapolis, Indiana, is named as a recipient along with Jenks S. Britt, D.V.M., of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and David McClary, D.V.M., of Auburn, Alabama.

Dr. Thomas earned his D.V.M. with honors from Auburn University in 1968. “Throughout his career, Dr. Thomas has been active within the American Animal Hospital Association in a variety of capacities, including president in 2001-2002,” said Timothy R. Boosinger, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.  “He has contributed to the AAHA’s mission of excellence in veterinary medicine by serving on numerous task forces, committees, and project teams.”

For his commitment to the profession, the community, and his clients in small animal medicine and surgery, the AAHA named Dr. Thomas Practitioner of the Year for 2008-2009.

His professional memberships include the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Central Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics, the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, and the American Heartworm Society.

Dr. Thomas is also actively involved in the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners serving on their board since 2001 and as chair from 2005 to 2007. He is immediate past president of the Companion Animal Parasite Council and he serves on the board of directors for Veterinary Information Network, and Veterinary Study Groups.

The distinguished alumni award is named in honor of Dr. Wilford S. Bailey, a veterinary parasitologist, who held a 50-year continuous faculty appointment at Auburn University after receiving his veterinary degree in 1942, serving in positions from instructor to university president.