FVMA Service Awards

We recognize more than success. We honor hard work and award service.

Veterinary professionals tackle various challenges, from sick patients and tough clients to late nights, overtime, disaster volunteerism, and mental health promotion. The veterinary sphere is tough, and while it can be personally rewarding, the people who make it great are far too rarely recognized for their efforts. That’s why we started the FVMA Service Awards. We don’t always remember to thank those who deserve it. Earning an FVMA Service Award is more than a plaque on their wall; it’s a reminder of their value.

The FVMA Service Awards will be presented during the 2025 FVMA Annual Conference.

Submissions for the FVMA Service Awards are now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations.

 

How Do They Work?

The FVMA Service Awards are presented at our Annual Conference to honor veterinarians, team members, citizens, and pets in Florida for their contributions to veterinary medicine, animal health, and the human-animal bond. There are eight award categories:

  • Distinguished Service
  • Veterinarian of the Year
  • Lifetime Achievement
  • Gold Star
  • Certified Veterinary Technician of the Year
  • Team Member of the Year
  • Citizen of the Year
  • Pet Hall of Fame

Nominations open in the fall and close at the end of the year. Winners are announced in the spring at the FVMA Annual Conference, where they receive a trophy or plaque and are recognized on stage and online. Winners will also be featured on our website and posted on social media.

Who Can Nominate?

Anyone can nominate, including peers, colleagues, students, friends, clients, and community members. Multiple nominations are allowed. Fill out a short online form with the nominee’s details and a brief explanation of why they deserve the award.

What information is needed to submit a nomination? Their name, address, phone number, email, photo, and an explanation of why they should receive the award, which should be brief and bullet-pointed.

Who Can Be Nominated?

Nominees must meet specific award criteria. Except for the Citizen and Pet awards, nominees must be FVMA members. Detailed descriptions of the awards and their criteria are provided further down the page.

How Will the Winners Be Notified?

Winners will be notified via email within two months of the conference.

Award Categories Include:

Distinguished Service Award

To be awarded for exceptional achievements and contributions by a member toward the advancement of veterinary medicine and the profession. To qualify, a member must have been dedicated to veterinary medicine and given time and energy beyond reasonable expectations. To be eligible for this veterinary award, a nominee must have been an active member of the Association for at least the past 15 years.

Veterinarian of the Year

To be awarded to a member for distinguished, unselfish and dedicated service to the Association for the advancement of veterinary medicine and the profession. To be eligible for this veterinary award, a nominee must have been an active member of the Association for at least the past 10 years.

Lifetime Achievement Award

To be awarded to senior active and retired members who have made outstanding contributions to the Association and veterinary medicine. To be eligible for this veterinary award, a nominee must have been an active or retired member of the Association for 30 consecutive years and must be at least 65 years old.

Gold Star Award

To be awarded to members who have contributed much of their time and energy to the Association and/or a local association for the advancement of veterinary medicine and the profession. To be eligible for this veterinary award, the nominee must have been an active member of the Association for at least the past three years.

Certified Veterinary Technician of the Year

This award recognizes the many outstanding contributions made by a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) to the overall success of a veterinary practice operated or staffed by an FVMA member veterinarian. To be eligible for nomination of this veterinary award, the individual must be certified by the FVMA, a full-time employee of an FVMA-member practice for a minimum of three years, and demonstrate the following:

1) COMPASSION – Provides animal health care services in a caring and clinically appropriate manner;

2) COMMITMENT – Works in support of the employing veterinarian to achieve a high level of client satisfaction and established annual performance goals of the veterinary practice;

3) LEADERSHIP – Assumes a leadership role in creating and maintaining an efficient and highly motivated animal health care services delivery team among all employees;

4) EDUCATION – Regularly strives to further develop his/her knowledge and skills by participating in continuing education seminars; formal study at a junior college or university; or by undertaking self-directed study through journals, online programs, etc.

Team Member of the Year

To be awarded for outstanding contributions made by a special team member to the overall success of a veterinary practice operated or staffed by an FVMA-member veterinarian. To be eligible for this veterinary award, the nominee must be a full-time employee for a minimum of three years and demonstrate the following:

1) COMPASSION – Provides animal health care services in a caring and clinically appropriate manner;

2) COMMITMENT – Works in support of the employing veterinarian to achieve a high level of client satisfaction and established annual performance goals of the veterinary practice;

3) LEADERSHIP – Assumes a leadership role in creating and maintaining an efficient and highly motivated animal health care services delivery team among all employees;

4) EDUCATION – Regularly strives to further develop his/her knowledge and skills by participating in continuing education seminars; formal study at a junior college or university; or by undertaking self-directed study through journals, online programs, etc.

Citizen of the Year

To be awarded to any non-veterinarian who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the Association and veterinary medicine.

Pet Hall of Fame

There will be an inductee selected for one of the following categories:

1) HERO – pets who have unselfishly saved or preserved human life (non-professional).

2) COMPANION – pets who have provided a benefit and contributed to the quality of life of their human companions.

3) PROFESSIONAL – specialty trained as a physically challenged person’s assistance animal or used in law enforcement.


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