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2004
Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus Award for Excellence in Practice
Presented to Dr. Dean Smith |
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| This
year’s winner began his life on a farm in Eastern, Washington, where
those who knew him believed early on, he held the talent, interest, and
cultural background to become one of the area’s top veterinarians.
Unfortunately, his dreams took an early turn towards the medical
profession. In the early 1940’s, he turned to Washington State College,
for life as an undergraduate in the pre-medical curriculum.
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But his friends tell us, college
has a way of guiding young lives. In fact, they seem split on what actually
changed his life. Was it his heritage? Perhaps a farm life had instilled within
him a lasting interest in animals, and agriculture as a vocation? Others we
spoke we insist, it may have been the lure of veterinary college, located at the
center of campus, commonly referred to as “the vet shack,” a place where young
students would pass, and find themselves instilled with a curiosity that could
last a lifetime. With our award winner’s long and prestigious career, it appears
our good Doctor, made the right choice.
Passage from a letter written by a fellow classmate regarding the nomination for
this award. “(He) started out life with a distinct handicap, a congenital
webbing of the fingers. I understand that he had corrective surgery at a young
age, but the results were not too successful. One would think that his manual
dexterity would be compromised, but that was not the case. He played in the high
school band, and participated in sports. He still plays golf.”
The writer adds “ I believe (he) has brought out the best in me…”
Our award winner brings with him an outstanding host of credentials.
- Past President of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association
- Washington State Veterinarian
- Fullbright Lecturer at the University of Cairo, spending a year with his family
in Cairo, Egypt
- Foreign animal disease diagnostician following training at the USDA facility at
Plum Island, New York
- Director of the Oregon State University Diagnostic lab
- Was instrumental in the management of paratuberculosis infected herds and the
development of a vaccine
- Was instrumental in the introduction and implementation of fluorescent antibody
testing to the diagnostic lab at Oregon State, that reduced diagnostic times
from 2 to 3 days… to under 2-hours.
But behind his accomplishments, there runs a theme among the many letters we
received nominating our winner for this award, telling us this Doctor is a
brilliant diagnostician. That he has served as an exemplary model for young
professionals through his unfailing courtesy in his interpersonal dealings and
accuracy in assessing problems. These are qualities that have best encouraged
young students to enter a career in the veterinary profession because they’d
like to be “just like him.”
A close friend describes him as “a leader in veterinary medicine, who has helped
raise the stature of the profession…” and that his “”life achievement, his
personality, and his friendship have been an inspiration.” We couldn’t agree
more. In fact, the only person who has been surprised by this award has been the
recipient himself.
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Main Awards Page
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