The awards ceremony for the American Veterinary medical Association’s (AVMA) Annual Convention, held this year in San Diego, California, honored some of the nation’s top veterinarians. Among these distinguished recipients were Heather Wamsley and Vicki Wilke, two UW School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) alumni.

“I thought it said something special about the excellent example set by the SVM faculty for us when we were students,” said Wamsley. Both Wamsley and Wilke were honored with student nominated awards, demonstrating the impact they continue to have as role models for the next generation of veterinarians.

Heather Wamsley, class of 2000, received the Student AVMA Teaching Excellence Award, praising her ability to educate, inspire, and make an impact on her students. Wamsley is currently an assistant professor and the clinical pathology residency coordinator at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

Through active participation in international continuing education and online distance education, Wamsley has surpassed the usual expectations for an educator. She also shows her enthusiasm for teaching by volunteering for a public radio show, judging local science fairs, and speaking in elementary and middle school classrooms.

Vicki Wilke, class of 1998, received the Student AVMA Community Outreach Excellence Award for her outstanding work in the community beyond her collegiate responsibilities. Wilke is currently an assistant professor in small animal surgery at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Wilke goes above and beyond to provide for her community by serving on service learning trips, volunteering for spay and neuter clinics, and serving on the AVMA Committee on the Animal-Human Bond. Wilke also co-organized and now serves as faculty advisor for the Veterinary Treatment Outreach for Urban Community Health (VeTouch), a student organization that provides preventative health care for pets of homeless and low-income families.