Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada) and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) recently presented Dr. Dee Griffin with the Mentor of the Year Award as a result of his significant contributions to the bovine medicine industry and his commitment to mentoring the next generations of bovine veterinarians. Each year, the award is given out at the AABP Annual Conference to recognize an individual who has played a role in educating, supporting and advancing the careers of future bovine veterinarians.
“We admire Dr. Griffin’s contributions to veterinary medicine and his ongoing passion for being a resource for students,” said Norman Stewart, DVM, livestock and technical services manager for Merck Animal Health. “We commend him for his ability to engage with and share his experience and knowledge with students and young veterinarians.”
Dr. Griffin’s interest in beef production began at an early age, as he was raised on a cow-calf operation in western Oklahoma. He played a key role in founding the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. He has been a member of the BQA advisory board since it began and is passionate about educating producers on the program. The program works to teach producers about beef quality issues, including animal husbandry, antibiotic stewardship and health management.
"Dr. Griffin is dedicated to the next generation and never quits giving back,” said Bob Smith, DVM, a long-time friend and colleague of Dr. Griffin. “He is always encouraging and uplifting students and instilling in them a deep passion for the beef industry and vet medicine."
As a result of his dedication and service to the beef industry, Dr. Griffin also received the Industry Leadership Award and was inducted into the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame.
"Dr. Dee Griffin has made an impact on the career of many veterinarians. A mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor, and Dr. Griffin certainly fulfills that definition,” said Dr. Fred Gingrich II, DVM, executive vice president of AABP. “His lifelong passion for veterinary medicine and teaching make him the ideal candidate to join the long list of other Mentor of the Year recipients."
Dr. Griffin is an active member of numerous veterinary organizations, including AABP, and is the eleventh recipient of the Mentor of the Year Award, which was instituted in 2007. He completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at Oklahoma State University in 1976 and then completed his Master of Science (MS) degree in pathology and ruminant nutrition from Purdue University. He practiced beef-cattle medicine before becoming faculty at Nebraska’s Great Plains Veterinary Education Center (GPVEC). Dr. Griffin retired from GPVEC after 25 years and is now working as a clinical professor and director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Center at West Texas A&M University.
About Merck Animal Health
For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit http://www.merck-animal-health.com/ or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter at @MerckAH.
