The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) celebrated the “best of the best” at its 2026 Annual Meeting, honoring veterinarians for their exceptional skill, industry impact and leadership. This year’s top honors recognize the clinical proficiency of Dr. Brad Leuwerke, the pioneering technical expertise of Dr. Robyn Fleck, and the rapid professional ascent of Dr. Elizabeth Noblett, showcasing the depth of talent driving the U.S. pork industry forward.
2026 Swine Practitioner of the Year
Dr. Brad Leuwerke was named the 2026 Swine Practitioner of the Year by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians for his unusual degree of proficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of veterinary service to clients. Originally from a farm near Forest City, Iowa, Leuwerke earned an MSc in veterinary microbiology and preventative medicine and DVM from Iowa State University in 2006. He joined the Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, Minn., immediately after graduation. There, he oversees sow herd and nursery/grow-finish health, trains clients on health topics, and conducts research.
Leuwerke stands out for his balance of science, common sense and character. Clients view him as a “kind, humble, empathetic leader and a talented, approachable resource.” His critical thinking skills and ability to contribute on topics such as animal welfare, infectious diseases, biosecurity, responsible use of antimicrobials and live vaccines demonstrate his holistic vision toward the profession and the level of respect he has for the pig, the consumer and the environment.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Eileen Thacker in veterinary school, Leuwerke was introduced to the concept of a swine-only veterinarian, and she encouraged him to attend the 2003 AASV Annual Meeting. Leuwerke has attended every AASV Annual meeting since. He has presented, chaired seminars, served on the program planning committee, and participated in student recruitment events. He has also been an active participant and leader in AASV committees, especially the Pork Safety Committee. AASV notes that he mentors new veterinarians, fostering growth and knowledge sharing, and remains actively engaged in industry conferences and emerging research.
2026 Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year
Dr. Robyn Fleck received the AASV Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year Award. As a senior account manager of scientific sales and affairs at Merck Animal Health, Fleck manages corporate account relationships and technology transfer, and she manages generation and distribution of scientific data to support swine vaccine brands. She also provides technical input into and review of marketing materials for swine biologicals and pharmaceuticals.
Prior to joining Merck Animal Health, she held positions with Zoetis as associate director of outcomes research, the National Pork Board as director of swine health programs, Schering-Plough Animal Health as a swine technical services manager, and as a staff veterinarian with Cargill Pork.
Fleck has served on multiple AASV committees, including program planning, influenza, pharmaceutical issues, food safety, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has also served on the National Pork Board’s Swine Health and Food Safety committees. Fleck is a recognized pioneer among women in the swine veterinary profession who has paved the path for others.
2026 Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year
The AASV Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Elizabeth Noblett. Originally from Gastonia, N.C., she received a BS (2013) and MAS (2016) in animal sciences, and a DVM (2020) from North Carolina State University (NCSU). Noblett said before college, she had very little experience or exposure to swine production. Her unwavering interest was sparked after holding her first pig at the NCSU Swine Unit during her first animal science lab.
After graduation, Noblett joined The Maschhoffs as a herd veterinarian. Since 2023, she has been a veterinarian with Smithfield where she oversees the health of sow farm operations and corresponding grow-finish operations in the southeastern United States.
Noblett has been a continuous member and leader of the AASV since joining as a student. She has presented at the AASV Annual Meeting as a student and a practicing veterinarian. She has served as the student podcast coordinator, and she currently chairs the AASV Communications Committee. Noblett was a participant in the first class of the AASV Early-Career Swine Veterinarian Development.
