Service Awards

Each year, the MVMA recognizes a member of our community who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to our profession, our community, and the welfare of animals.

Nominations for this year's MVMA Service Award can be submitted to [email protected]. Please include a brief description of the nominees contributions to the veterinary profession in Maine or animal welfare in Maine.

2019

Dr. Robert O'Brien received the 2019 MVMA Service Award. Since 2017, Dr. O'Brien was served MVMA members and the veterinary profession by offering free ultrasound classes from his home in Nobleboro, Maine. Students from Midwestern University also travel to Dr. O'Brien's home multiple times a year to receive instruction in ultrasound.

2018

In 2018 the MVMA recognized Dr. Anne Del Borgo for her many years of service to the MVMA and animal welfare in Maine. She was the 2007 president of the Maine Veterinary Association, and served as legislative chair for 10 years. She also chaired the Maine Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and was a long serving AVMA Delegate for the state of Maine.

2017

Dr. Amanda Bisol was awarded the MVMA's 2017 Service Award for the work she did on behalf of veterinarians in Maine during the introduction of a new prescription monitoring law in the state that included veterinarians. Dr. Bisol attended countless meetings with representatives from Health and Human Services and public hearings. She also spent many hours educating veterinarians about the new requirements.

2016

For 2016, the MVMA has recognized Bill Bell. He has been involved with the MVMA for more than 20 years, first as a lobbyist and then as our executive director. Over this time, he has contributed to countless efforts in the benefit of the veterinary profession.  Some of his recent notable legislative efforts have been representing the veterinary community with regard to a bill which would have required mandatory prescriptions, known as the “Walmart Bill”. Additionally, he gained an optional exclusion from jury duty for veterinarians who have no alternatives for providing care for their patients. He contributed to expanding forgiveness student loans offered in Maine to food animal graduates from any accredited veterinary school. Even more recently, he has helped us with the revisions of the veterinary practice act, which has brought modern protections for both veterinarians and clients in the State of Maine, and he has contributed to helping us navigate the complexities of the opioid legislation. He has given a lifetime of commitment to the veterinarians and animals of Maine, and for this reason we have chosen to honor him.