The American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ (AASV) honored the outstanding achievements of swine veterinarians throughout the country during the association’s 52nd virtual annual meeting.
2021 Swine Practitioner of the Year
Jeremy Pittman, DVM, was named the 2021 Swine Practitioner of the Year. The award is given to the swine practitioner who has demonstrated an unusual degree of proficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of veterinary service to clients.
Pittman is a staff veterinarian for Smithfield Hog Production – North Region, which manages 140,000 sows farrow-to-finish in Northeastern North Carolina and Virginia and serves as adjunct faculty at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine. A Southport, N.C. native, he graduated from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in 2000 with degrees in zoology and animal science, and minors in nutrition and genetics, followed by a DVM in 2004. Partially funded by the AASV Foundation’s Alex Hogg Memorial Scholarship, Pittman received an MS from Iowa State University in 2014. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Swine Health Management).
Without a background in agriculture, Pittman’s path to veterinary medicine was inspired by educational opportunities coupled with extraordinary mentorship. Recognizing the impact of others on his own career, his commitment to student mentorship is unprecedented, colleagues say.
Pittman serves on the board of directors for the Swine Health Information Center and the National Pork Producers Council. He has been recognized for his service and dedication by many organizations.
2021 Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year
James (Jamie) Lehman, DVM, received the Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year Award. The award recognizes swine industry veterinarians who have demonstrated an unusual degree of proficiency and effectiveness in delivery of veterinary service to their companies and their clients, as well as given tirelessly in service to the AASV and the swine industry.
Lehman was introduced to veterinary medicine early by working as a janitor in his hometown veterinary clinic in Sullivan, Ill., where he was eventually allowed to participate in large animal surgeries. He went on to complete all of his degrees, including his DVM, from the University of Illinois. He is currently a technical service manager for the swine business unit with Merck Animal Health.
Colleagues say Lehman possesses one of the most important qualities of a technical services veterinarian: trustworthiness. He is respected for his leadership and ability to bring people with conflicting opinions together. For example, his graduate research relied upon his ability to sort through science and technology while encouraging veterinarians and producers to collaborate on pseudorabies eradication efforts.
2021 Howard Dunne Memorial Award Recipient
John Deen, DVM, received the 2021 Howard Dunne Memorial Award for his important contributions and outstanding service to the association and the swine industry.
Growing up on a pig farm in southern Ontario near Drayton, Deen was able to continue farming with his family and attend the nearby Ontario Veterinary College where he received a DVM, MS and PhD. Early in his career as a mixed animal and swine practitioner, he fondly remembers the mentorship of his clients.
For the last 22 years, Deen has been part of the swine group at the University of Minnesota, where he is currently a distinguished global professor in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine. A true teacher at heart, he dedicates his time to mentoring graduate students and sharing his knowledge through outreach to veterinarians and producers. With his own extensive publication list, Deen has also served as a manuscript reviewer for multiple animal and veterinary science journals. He was recognized as a Diplomate in the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 1994.
He is respected as a pioneer in animal welfare. In 2012, he was recognized as a Diplomate in the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW). He was a founding board member of ACAW and a board member of the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization. He dedicates time to promote pig welfare having served on the National Pork Board Animal Welfare Committee and the AASV Pig Welfare Committee.
2021 Meritorious Service Award Recipient
Angela Baysinger was named the 2021 recipient of the Meritorious Service Award for her outstanding service to the AASV.
Baysinger grew up on a livestock and grain farm near Martinsburg, Mo. Early life experiences, including raising livestock, FFA projects, and encouragement from her hometown veterinarian Don Hudson, drove her passion for a career in veterinary medicine.
She completed her undergraduate studies in animal science and her DVM at the University of Missouri. She received a master’s degree in epidemiology from the University of Nebraska. She is currently working toward a master’s degree in international animal welfare, ethics and law at the University of Edinburgh, partially funded by the AASV Alex Hogg Memorial Scholarship, which she was awarded in 2018.
With a special interest and expertise in animal welfare, Baysinger is an active member of the AASV Pig Welfare Committee and was part of the volunteer group of experts who first wrote the On-Farm Euthanasia of Swine Recommendations for the Producer. She has represented AASV on the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization board since its inception in 2003, serving as its first board chair. Additionally, she currently represents the AASV and swine veterinarians on the AVMA Welfare Committee. Further, she has served as a member of the welfare committees for the National Pork Board and the North American Meat Institute.
AASV is not alone in recognizing her service. Merck Animal Health presented Baysinger with the inaugural “Unconditional Award” for her animal welfare work during 2020. Additionally, in January, she was awarded the “Feather in Her Cap” award by the non-profit Feather in Her Cap Association; this is a special recognition where women leaders in the animal health industry are recognized for their achievements and significant contributions to the industry and for mentoring and developing future women leaders.
2021 Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year
The Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award was presented to Chris Sievers, DVM. The award is given annually to an AASV member five or less years post-graduation who has demonstrated the ideals of exemplary service and proficiency early in his or her career.
Sievers grew up outside of Storm Lake, Iowa, on a crop, cattle and hog farm where he gained his initial livestock experience. He also raised his own calves and pigs for 4-H and FFA projects. Following his passion for animal agriculture, he attended Iowa State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in animal science, DVM, and master’s degree in preventative animal medicine.
Sievers realized during a summer internship at the Swine Vet Center that the clinic was where he wanted to practice after graduation. Today, he continues to enjoy his work at the clinic. Most of his clients are medium-size swine operations in Iowa. He also helps oversee research for the Swine Vet Center.
Nominated for this award by colleagues and clients, many noted Sievers’ resourcefulness, his ability to make science-based recommendations, and his willingness to share what he has learned. He humbly credits his clients with much of his success as a veterinarian.
More from Farm Journal’s PORK:
Words to Live By: Perspectives from the 2021 AASV Conference
AASV Awards Scholarships at 2021 Annual Meeting
AASV Foundation Invests $100,000 to Fund Four Swine Research Proposal
