news releases archive
print story
email storyWVC Dedicates 85th Annual Conference to Dr. Jack Walther
Only sixth time Conference has been named for a distinguished individual
LAS VEGAS, July 31, 2012 — The Western Veterinary Conference is proudly recognizing longtime participant, Director, Program Coordinator, and Past President, Jack Walther, DVM, by naming the 2013 Conference in his honor. Recognition at this level has occurred only five times previously in WVC history and reflects the enormously high regard the WVC Board of Directors has for Dr. Walther. The Dr. Jack Walther 85th Annual Western Veterinary Conference will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from February 17-21, 2013.
For more than 48 years Dr. Jack Walther has brought his enthusiastic support and expertise to WVC, first as an attendee and later in a variety of key executive roles. He has been a WVC Committee Chair since 2002, has served on the WVC Board of Directors for more than 12 years, and was President of the Conference in 2005. In 2008 he was awarded the WVC Distinguished Service Award for his many noteworthy contributions.
Dr. Walther introduced the ongoing WVC Veterinary Student Scholarship Program in 2002, which has awarded nearly a million dollars in scholarships and travel stipends. In 2013 this program is being renamed Jack O. Walther, DVM The Dr. Jack Walther Leadership Award and will continue to assist thirdyear students who have demonstrated their aptitude as leaders with the potential for lifelong professional veterinary service.
Today, Dr. Walther serves as WVC’s Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE) Coordinator. In 2004, he was integral in gaining approval for WVC to the conduct the CPE under the auspices of AVMA's Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates. The CPE is the final step in the ECFVG process for graduates of non-accredited veterinary programs seeking to practice in the United States. These exams are now offered monthly at WVC's Oquendo Center.
Dr. Walther has been a constant advocate for positive change in the entire veterinary profession. He was instrumental in developing the pre-veterinary medicine program for the University of Nevada at Reno where he was on the faculty. He served as President of the Nevada VMA in 1973 and was named Nevada Veterinarian of the Year in 1983. He also received theNVMA Exemplary Service Award in 1998. For 10 years Dr. Walther was chairman of the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Examiners, and he reviewed all legislation involving veterinary issues in the Nevada legislature for more than 25 years.
As president of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2003-2004, Dr. Walther was a proponent of careful daily monitoring of state veterinary legislation and of improving communication about the AVMA to the public. He also served as spokesperson for the profession during the outbreaks of avian influenza and bovine spongiform encephalopathy ("mad cow disease"), which affected the nation's food supply as well as international trade.
After earning both his undergraduate and DVM degrees at the University of California, Davis, Dr. Walther served 2 years with the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps during the Vietnam era and then practiced equine and small animal medicine in the Reno, Nevada area for more than 40 years. Presently, he practices part-time and is Chief Veterinary Consultant for the Elko Animal Shelter in Elko, Nevada.
For additional information about Dr. Jack Walther, WVC, or the Oquendo Center, which offers year-round specialty courses, please call Dr. Guy Pidgeon, WVC Chief Executive Officer toll-free at 866.800.7326 or 702.739.6698.
About Western Veterinary Conference
WVC is a premier continuing education meeting for veterinary professionals and is held annually in a first-class destination — Las Vegas, The Entertainment Capital of the World. Global authorities present the most up-to-date medical and management information as well as hands-on laboratory instruction in the state-of-the-art Oquendo Center. The Annual Conference offers optimum opportunities for learning and networking, and provides superior exposure to commercial products and services via its associated trade show. For information about WVC, go to wvc.org. To learn more about Oquendo Center programs, go to oquendocenter.org.
Contact:
Dr. Guy Pidgeon, WVC CEO
guy@wvc.org
702.739.6698
