Meet AASV's 2024 Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) presented Dylan Lape, DVM, with the Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year award during the 55th AASV Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
“I am shocked and honored to be selected for this award," Lape said. "I 100% wouldn’t be the veterinarian I am today without the mentorship I’ve received from many members of AASV, but especially my boss Dr. Matt Ackerman!”
The award is given annually to an AASV member five or less years post veterinary graduation who has demonstrated the ideals of exemplary service and proficiency early in their career, the organization said in a release.
His nominators describe his infectiously positive personality as an ideal of exemplary service. Even in challenging, difficult, or stressful situations, Lape continuously chooses to be happy, making him a valuable team member and a joy for colleagues and clients.
After developing an interest in swine at the Penn State swine farm and pursuing those interests through veterinary school, Lape joined Pork Veterinary Solutions in July of 2018. In this role, he works with independent swine producers, contract growers, and large integrators, overseeing the production of approximately 1 million pigs a year.
He has participated in multiple foreign animal disease planning and preparedness exercises and has completed the Swine Veterinarians Public Policy Advocacy Program through the National Pork Producers Council and AASV, AASV said in a release.
Lape, son of Dana Lape and Rose Young, grew up in the small town of Lebanon, Pa., raising exhibition poultry along with his brother and father. He received a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University in 2014. He received a DVM in 2018 from Purdue University. He continues to raise exhibition poultry locally and enjoys showing across the Midwest in his spare time.
