Dr Conrad "Connie" Schmidt received the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation’s Heritage Award during the AASV’s 49th Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. Dr John Waddell, AASV Foundation chair, presented the award to Dr Schmidt on March 4th. He becomes only the fourth recipient of the award which recognizes individuals who have lifelong outstanding achievements in swine veterinary medicine. It is only awarded on an as-needed basis (not necessarily annually) when a deserving individual has been nominated and selected. Awardees have demonstrated their eligibility through their membership in the AASV, service to the AASV, and service to the North American swine industry.
Dr. Schmidt graduated from the University Of Minnesota, College Of Veterinary Medicine. For 30 years he was an owner and staff member of a large veterinary practice specializing in production animal medicine. Dr Schmidt has received various honors from the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, and state associations, for his leadership position in the animal production industry.
As a partner in the Veterinary Medical Center PA of Worthington Minnesota, he served as the President of Oxford Veterinary Laboratories as well as Senior staff member for the clinic. Dr Schmidt served as a Vice President of UpJohn Animal Health, as well as Pharmacia. In 1987 Dr. Schmidt was recognized by the State of Minnesota as the entrepreneur of the year.
Currently Dr. Schmidt is President of C.B. Schmidt and Associates LLC. Over the last 12 plus years, Dr Schmidt has been very active in establishing technologies that will improve and maintain electronic data and health records in the animal production arena. I also have been actively involved with developing and evaluating various pathways to use natural substances as well as various microbial components to improve animal health and wellness.
When asked to reflect on his career as a swine veterinarian and his involvement with AASV, Dr Schmidt replied, "Since the inception of the AASV and the AASVF I have found that Swine Veterinarians, as well as our association, are truly committed to our Veterinary profession, animal health and wellness and our animal protein producers. It has been a privilege to see our association grow and succeed in providing the leadership to make our meat supply safe and wholesome. Our accountability to animal health and wellness as well as respected animal welfare practices is what makes this profession great."