Recognition Awards
The ACVIM greatly values the dedication of our members to the profession as well as their investment in and support to help make the ACVIM successful. We offer awards annually for volunteer service, outstanding achievements within the profession and new for 2021, by specialty lifetime achievement award for Diplomates.
ACVIM Lee and Inge Pyle Service Award
Recognizes outstanding and dedicated service by a Diplomate as a College volunteer.
Robert W. Kirk Award for Professional Excellence
Presented in recognition of outstanding achievements and dedicated service to the veterinary profession.
ACVIM Certificate of Clinical Excellence
Recognizes students who demonstrate sincere interest in internal medicine and outstanding didactic and clinical expertise in internal medicine.
ACVIM Specialty Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to the most prominent leaders in each specialty and provides the opportunity to celebrate those who have made significant contributions in each of the five specialties.
2021 ACVIM Recognition Award Winners
2021 ACVIM Lee & Inge Pyle Service Award
For outstanding and dedicated service by a Diplomate as a college volunteer
Michelle Barton, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (LAIM)
Dr. Michelle Barton is the Fuller E. Callaway Endowed Chair, Professor of Large Animal Internal Medicine and a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Georgia. She is currently the Director of Clinical Academic Affairs at the College of Veterinary Medicine at UGA. Dr. Barton has served the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine as the Specialty President for Large Animal Internal Medicine and as their first Ombudsman, as well as on numerous committees and task forces.
Kudoboard is a digital group greeting card designed for electronic kudos and well wishes.
Supporters, colleagues, friends and family can add a note electronically.
2021 ACVIM Robert W. Kirk Award for Professional Excellence
In recognition of outstanding achievements and dedicated service to the veterinary profession
Joe Mayhew, BVSc, DiplOVC, PhD, DSc, FRCVS, DACVIM (LAIM & Neurology), DECVN, MANZCVS
Dr. Joe Mayhew is a distinguished Diplomate of the ACVIM, achieving Board-certification in both LAIM and Neurology. He is is a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Medicine, a member of the European Society of Veterinary Neurology and a Diplomat of the European College of Veterinary Neurology. Dr. Mayhew is currently a Professor Emeritus in the School of Veterinary Sciences, Massey University, and is a private veterinary consultant in New Zealand. He has published widely in veterinary neurology, equine medicine, and comparative neuropathology.
Kudoboard is a digital group greeting card designed for electronic kudos and well wishes.
Supporters, colleagues, friends and family can add a note electronically.
2021 ACVIM Specialty Lifetime Achievement Award
Celebrating those who have made significant contributions in each of the five ACVIM specialties
Alexander de Lahunta, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Neurology)
We were extremely honored to recognize Dr. Alex deLahunta's extraordinary accomplishments in neurology and veterinary medicine before his passing in August, 2021. He earned his PhD in anatomy and DVM from Cornell University and worked in general practice for two years before joining the Cornell faculty in 1960. He established a program in clinical neurology and was in the original group of neurologists who established the Neurology Specialty of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He has led an exemplary 42-year career as a Professor of Anatomy, Department Chair as well as the Hospital Director at Cornell University.
Stephen Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM & Cardiology)
Dr. Ettinger was one of ACVIM’s charter Diplomates, charter board members and its first Cardiology Specialty President. He has left his mark on the specialty of cardiology at every possible level – from his beginnings as a co-founder of the first US group of veterinary specialty practice; to his publication of the first canine cardiology textbook, which set a course for veterinary cardiology; to a lifetime spent pouring his expertise and wisdom generously into countless students, veterinarians and cardiologists.