Veterinary News Network Announces 2008 Award Winners

The Veterinary News Network has announced its 2008 award winners. The awards were presented during VNNs 3rd annual meeting and awards banquet held today at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) February 17, 2008 --- The Veterinary News Network has announced its 2008 award winners. The awards were presented during VNNs 3rd annual meeting and awards banquet held today at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

Highlighting the awards ceremony was the presentation of the first annual Crane Award, named in honor of Dr. Steve Crane, immediate past Executive Director of the Western Veterinary Conference and current Chief Medical Officer and Director of WVCs Oquendo Center Programs. The 2008 Crane Award was presented to Dr. Crane, who, from the very beginning, has been VNN's most ardent supporter. The Crane Award will be given each year to one key individual who makes the greatest contribution in advancing VNN's goals and impact.

The 2008 VNN Reporter of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Sandy Willis of Antech Diagnostics in Kent, WA. Dr. Willis was recognized for her exceptional initiative, knowledge and media skills throughout the highly public coverage of the pet food recall. Dr. Willis worked tirelessly with VNN in developing media preparation for VNN reporters and other leadership during this major communications crisis.

Annual VNN Rising Star Awards were presented in four categories:

Television

Dr. Tony Kremer

Kremer Veterinary Services, LTD

Minooka, IL

Dr. David Visser

Roseland Animal Hospital

South Bend, IN

Radio

Dr. Elizabeth Dole

Stack Veterinary Hospital

Syracuse, NY

Dr. Mark Silberman

Southwest Animal Clinic

Bellaire, TX

Print

Dr. Gretchen Norton

Summit Veterinary Service

Silverthorne, CO

Internet

Dr. Patty Khuly

Dolittler.com

Miami, FL

The 2008 WVC-TV Conference TV Journal Reporter Awards for reporting on activities during the Western Veterinary Conference were presented to:

Dr. Lowell Ackerman

Senior Reporter

Bizvet, Inc.

Westborough, MA

Mr. Tom Dock

Assistant Producer

VNN Reporter Relations Manager

Indianapolis, IN

Dr. Krista Gibson

Senior Reporter

Creature Comforts Animal Hospital

Grand Junction, CO

Dr. Diane Levitan

Associate Producer

Center for Specialized Veterinary Medicine

Westbury, NY

Dr. Michele Smith

Senior Reporter

29th Avenue Animal Hospital

Denver, CO

Dr. Lori Teller

Senior Reporter

Meyerland Animal Clinic

Houston, TX

Dr. David Visser

Senior Reporter

Roseland Animal Hospital

South Bend, IN

Dr. Debbie White

Senior Reporter

Lone Mountain Animal Hospital

Las Vegas, NV

Dr. Bernadine Cruz

Host of Your Pet Health Matters

Aliso Viejo, CA

Dr. Steve Hotchkiss

Veterinary Health Care Concepts

Fort Worth, TX

Dr. Michael Hutchinson

Animal General of Cranberry Township

Cranberry Township, PA

Dr. Mitsie Vargas

Orchid Springs Animal Hospital

Winter Haven, FL

Dr. Brian Voynick

American Animal Hospital

Randolph, NJ

About Veterinary News Network

The Veterinary News Network (VNN) is a national network of more than 360 veterinarians and affiliate reporters who use VNN-produced resources to broadcast and publish local news stories about current pet health issues and advances in veterinary care. By providing content that is medically accurate and reliable, VNN helps veterinarians deliver these stories to their local media through print, television, radio, Internet blogs and other appropriate outlets. VNN also has a syndication division that includes morning drive radio stations, captive audience networks, podcasts, Internet video channels, blogs and syndicated medical television. VNN has produced 60 news stories and, in 2007, delivered more than 250 million audience impressions. VNN is funded by an educational grant through the Western Veterinary Conference by Merial. Visit www.MyVNN.com.

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