In recognition of his commitment to the animal-health industry and for inspiring students and others in veterinary medicine, Jenks Britt, D.V.M., D.A.B.V.P., Western Kentucky University Department of Agriculture professor, received the Mentor of the Year Award from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) and Merck Animal Health. The Mentor of the Year Award honors individuals who have dedicated their careers to educating, mentoring and advancing the careers of students in the field of bovine veterinary medicine. Britt was honored with a commemorative plaque during the AABP annual meeting Sept. 22-24 in St. Louis. He also will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to next year’s AABP conference in Montreal.
“A good mentor is critical for today’s veterinary students,” Britt said. “A large majority of them have not grown up on a farm and need someone to teach them the things that farm kids take for granted – like the difference between a tractor and a four wheeler.”
Britt is a professor and past head of the Department of Agriculture at Western Kentucky University. He has co-authored 224 publications, given more than 200 presentations and is a well-respected, international dairy consultant. Prior to joining Western Kentucky University in 1998, Britt was a clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Pamela Ruegg, D.V.M., University of Wisconsin-Madison professor of dairy science, presented the award to Britt. She was an extern in his private practice and still looks to him as a mentor.
“Peers and students look up to Dr. Britt because he is the epitome of professionalism,” Ruegg said. “He has set a great example for students and young veterinarians. His unselfish approach to sharing his expertise has influenced his students, as well as the entire dairy industry.”
Raised on a dairy farm near Bowling Green, Kentucky, Britt received a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University with a major in agriculture and biology. He received his veterinary medical degree at Auburn University and was partner and owner of Logan County Animal Clinic in Russellville, Kentucky, for 23 years.
Britt said that working with students has played a key role in his success in living with Parkinson’s disease, which he has fought for almost 20 years. After he retired, Britt’s students asked him to come back and teach.
Some of Britt’s highest honors include National Outstanding Teacher in Agriculture from the Collegiate FFA Organization, Distinguished Alumni from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and the El Toro Award – Food Animal Medicine from Auburn University. He also was recognized as the AABP Practitioner of the Year, Western Kentucky University Alumni of the Year and the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Veterinarian of the Year.
Britt’s involvement outside of academia includes membership and leadership positions in AABP, the American Dairy Science Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, the National Mastitis Council and the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association. He also was a member and chairman of the AVMA Council on Education.
Britt is the fifth recipient of the Mentor of the Year Award, which was instituted in 2007. Previous winners include Ken Leslie, D.V.M., M.S., Guelph, Ontario; Dan Upson, D.V.M. M.S. Ph.D., Manhattan, Kansas; Bruce Hull, D.V.M. Westerville, Ohio; and Otto Radosistits, D.V.M., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. PD
—From Merck Animal Health news release
PHOTO:
Pictured from left to right: Dr. Rick Sibbel, director of U.S. cattle technical services for Merck Animal Health, award sponsor; Dr. Jenks Britt, Western Kentucky University, 2011 Mentor of the Year and Dr. Pamela Ruegg, University of Wisconsin-Madison, award presenter. Photo courtesy of Merck Animal Health.
