Rick Tubbs, D.V.M., recently received the El Toro Award for Excellence in Food Animal Medicine at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The award recognizes veterinarians who, through their contributions to food animal practice, organized veterinary medicine, high ideals, and dedication to the production of food animals, serve as role models for veterinary students.
Dr. Tubbs earned his doctorate of veterinary medicine from Auburn University in 1983. Following graduation, he worked as an associate in a mixed animal practice in Eaton, Georgia, where he focused on dairy herd health and reproductive evaluation.
He completed a residency in theriogenology at Mississippi State University where he earned his Master of Science degree in 1987. He served as assistant professor in swine medicine at Mississippi State before accepting a position in 1991 as swine veterinarian and clinical assistant professor at the University of Missouri. In 1993 he was promoted to clinical associate professor and administered continuing education courses to swine producers and veterinarians.
In 1996 Dr. Tubbs became a partner in Green River Animal Hospital in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as a swine specialist.
Dr. Tubbs is a past president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, and he is a member of the National Board of Veterinary Examiners, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, the American College of Theriogenologists, the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, and the Society for Theriogenology.
He has worked for numerous large swine production companies, and consulted and lectured extensively in the United States, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Taiwan, and Spain.
Dr. James G. Floyd Jr. established the El Toro Award at Auburn University in 1994 in memory of his father J.G. Floyd. The award is presented during the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Annual Conference. Dr. Floyd’s intention was to recognize outstanding food animal veterinarians before veterinary students of all classes.
A major focus of the award is to provide opportunity for interaction between veterinary students and the recipient in hope of attracting students to food animal veterinary medicine.
Please join us at AASV in congratulating Dr. Tubbs on his receipt of this well-deserved award.