LIVMA Photo Album
2024 Member Awards & Scholarship Dinner
Fox Hollow, Woodbury, NY
Click each image for a full view.
(Still under construction)
The following photos are from the cocktail hour from 7:00pm - 8:00pm during the sparkling wine, and craft beer tasting that began the evening.
Nassau County Legislators John J. Giuffrè and C. William Gaylor presented the 2024 Service Award and Scholarship Winners with Citations.
Nassau County Legislators John J. Giuffrè and C. William Gaylor presented the 2024 Service Award and Scholarship Winners with Citations.
Nassau County Legislators John J. Giuffrè (far left) and C. William Gaylor, along with New York State Senator Steve Rhoads and the 2024 Service Award Honorees and Scholarship winners.
Guests went home with Door Prizes provided by our event sponsors
|
|
LIVMA Member Awards Presentations
The 2024 LIVMA Board
Dr. Jason Heller (far left), Dr. Nicole Paccione-Gerbe, Dr. Elia Colon-Mallah (back row left), Dr. Lauren Donovan,
Dr. Keith Niesenbaum, Dr. Neal Salow, Dr. Doug Wyler. Dr. Meir Barak (far right), Dr. Lauryn Benson (front row), Dr. Victoria Bove,
Dr. Dee Hensen, and Dr. Alyssa DiGiovanni.
Dr. Jason Heller (far left), Dr. Nicole Paccione-Gerbe, Dr. Elia Colon-Mallah (back row left), Dr. Lauren Donovan,
Dr. Keith Niesenbaum, Dr. Neal Salow, Dr. Doug Wyler. Dr. Meir Barak (far right), Dr. Lauryn Benson (front row), Dr. Victoria Bove,
Dr. Dee Hensen, and Dr. Alyssa DiGiovanni.
The following are excerpts from LIVMA President,
|
|
Tonight, we are delighted to be thanking our many member’s contributions to LIVMA, as well as recognizing individuals and organizations who have made these last two years successful in many ways for veterinary medicine on Long Island.
We’ll also be recognizing the LIVMA Scholarship winners from both the Veterinary Career Exploration Program as well as the LIVMA Veterinary and Veterinary Technician programs. There will be funds presented to these students as part of tonight’s celebration.
To begin, I’d like to invite up this year’s New York State Veterinary Medical Society President, Dr. Lauren Kleine, who came from Hudson Valley to be with us tonight.
We’ll also be recognizing the LIVMA Scholarship winners from both the Veterinary Career Exploration Program as well as the LIVMA Veterinary and Veterinary Technician programs. There will be funds presented to these students as part of tonight’s celebration.
To begin, I’d like to invite up this year’s New York State Veterinary Medical Society President, Dr. Lauren Kleine, who came from Hudson Valley to be with us tonight.
Dr. Lauren Kleine, NYSVMS President was joined by Tim Atkinson, NYSVMS Executive Director, Dean Carmen Fuentealba, DVM, MSc, PhD, FAMEE, of LIU's Veterinary College and Oscar Illanes, DVM, PhD, DACVP. Professor, Head of Department of Biomedical Veterinary Sciences.
Dr. Lauren Donovan - LIVMA Past President LIVMA Newsletter Contributors LIVMA CE Speaker
|
In the early 1990s, LIVMA began the Veterinary Medicine Career Exploration Program, co-hosted with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Each year Long Island Veterinarians and their staff are asked to speak at weekly lectures, or allow students to shadow at their practices.
Tonight we have Dr. Dee Hensen (center), along with LIVMA Members Dr. Dominic Gucciardo (far left), Dr. Maggie Camilleri, Dr. David Hensen, and Dr. Kevin Cronin (far right), for their VMCEP Shadow participation. Again, there are many more Shadow Veterinarians who could not join us, but we appreciate their service. We also thank Ms. Katherine Perez from the Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County Farm who could not be here tonight. Together Dr. Dee Hensen and Ms. Katherine Perez also help to also manage the Equine Community Outreach program, which offers education to Long Island Horse Owners. |
|
LIVMA Veterinary Student Scholarships
Dr. Paccione-Gerbe presented the 2024 scholarship awards.
Dr. Dee Hensen presented the 2024 VMCE Scholarship.
Dr. Paccione-Gerbe presented the 2024 scholarship awards.
Dr. Dee Hensen presented the 2024 VMCE Scholarship.
Tonight we are welcoming 2024 Veterinary Technician Scholarship recipient Ashley Doxey and her family. Earlier this year Ashley received $1,750.00 from LIVMA and tonight we have an additional $500.00 for her thanks to Valley Bank and V.P. of Business Banking Relationship, Mr. Daniel Ahearn. Ms. Sandra Pinto, the 2024 Veterinary Scholarship winner, who could not be here tonight, will also receive an additional $500.00.
LIVMA thanked Valley Bank, Cornell Cooperative Extension at the Suffolk Farm, and VetMedics
for their donations to the LIVMA Scholarship programs.
for their donations to the LIVMA Scholarship programs.
LIVMA 2024 Outstanding Service Awards
|
|
|
Our first Outstanding Community Service Award goes to Whit Johnson of ABC-TV – you might know him from Good Morning America or ABC World News Tonight. Whit was chosen because he helps to create national and local awareness about pet fostering programs and helping pets find their forever homes.
|
Ms. Debra Dougherty from Canine Companions
|
Our next Outstanding Community Service Award goes to an organization that was started in 1975 with the goal of placing service dogs with children, adults and veterans with disabilities, as well as with professionals working in visitation, healthcare and education settings. Canine Companions, while a national organization has deep roots on Long Island with their Canine Companions Northeast Region Miller Family Campus located in Medford.
Serving 13 states from Maine to Virginia Canine Companions 11-acre, 39,000 square foot state-of-the-art Canine Care Center includes 38 kennels, exercise yards, a wellness clinic and 11 spacious dorm rooms for training participants and their families. Since 1975, they have provided over 7,700 service dogs with all follow-up services for the dogs provided at no cost to their clients.
Serving 13 states from Maine to Virginia Canine Companions 11-acre, 39,000 square foot state-of-the-art Canine Care Center includes 38 kennels, exercise yards, a wellness clinic and 11 spacious dorm rooms for training participants and their families. Since 1975, they have provided over 7,700 service dogs with all follow-up services for the dogs provided at no cost to their clients.
LIVMA 2024 Community Service Awards
Bessy and Joe Gatto
|
|
Our first LIVMA Community Service Award tonight goes to Gatto Pups and Friends.
Bessy and Joe Gatto’s love for animals, especially senior dogs, has provided a home for those that are overlooked and unwanted.
Supporters of many rescues and animal sanctuaries, Bessy and Joe have dedicated their time and efforts into advocating for those who can’t speak up for themselves.
Gatto Pups and Friends, a non-profit shelter on Long Island in Glen Head, is the special and unique sanctuary and rescue they started for senior, disabled and unwanted animals, providing them with a loving home for however long they may have left.
Bessy and Joe Gatto’s love for animals, especially senior dogs, has provided a home for those that are overlooked and unwanted.
Supporters of many rescues and animal sanctuaries, Bessy and Joe have dedicated their time and efforts into advocating for those who can’t speak up for themselves.
Gatto Pups and Friends, a non-profit shelter on Long Island in Glen Head, is the special and unique sanctuary and rescue they started for senior, disabled and unwanted animals, providing them with a loving home for however long they may have left.
|
Dr. Noelle LaCroix and Dr. Lauren Gantas
|
This year the NYSVMS began a state-wide “Animal Care Fund,” with each regional association, like LIVMA, encouraged to try and raise funds to assist owners who needed a little extra financial help paying a veterinary bill.
Just as NYSVMS started this program, LIVMA received a call from Dr. Noelle LaCroix of Noelle’s Ark, asking if there might be a way for the two groups to work together, as Noelle’s Ark had funds available.
It was suggested that Noelle’s Ark consider helping with the initial $5,000.00 donation needed for the LIVMA / NYSVMS Animal Care Fund.
As a result, LIVMA’s Care Fund not only received $5,000.00 from Noelle’s Ark, but also a $5,000.00 matching grant from NYSVMS – so $5,000.00 became $10,000.00.
We also want to thank VetMedics for adding $500.00 recently to the LIVMA Animal Care Fund.
Just as NYSVMS started this program, LIVMA received a call from Dr. Noelle LaCroix of Noelle’s Ark, asking if there might be a way for the two groups to work together, as Noelle’s Ark had funds available.
It was suggested that Noelle’s Ark consider helping with the initial $5,000.00 donation needed for the LIVMA / NYSVMS Animal Care Fund.
As a result, LIVMA’s Care Fund not only received $5,000.00 from Noelle’s Ark, but also a $5,000.00 matching grant from NYSVMS – so $5,000.00 became $10,000.00.
We also want to thank VetMedics for adding $500.00 recently to the LIVMA Animal Care Fund.
|
Julian Lin with Dr. Jason Heller
|
Organizations caring for animals and people are special. But sometimes, more special are the individuals who take it upon themselves to do the work needed of raising funds for all this care.
At nine-years old, Julian Lin is just beginning, and somehow also succeeding, in his tireless work, of raising funds for animal welfare programs in our community and nationally. When asked to send in his bio this is what he wrote:
“My name is Julian Businessman. I love business and I love helping others. My big goal is to end all hunger and homelessness for people and animals by revolutionizing business. I have lemonade and hot chocolate stands, and a line of merch that I designed myself and sell on my website. 30% of all my profits go to good causes. In the past year, I've raised more than $20,000 for animal rescue organizations, like Best Friends Animal Society and the Maui Humane Society. The way I see it, dog is not only man's best friend, but man should be dogs' best friend too.”
At nine-years old, Julian Lin is just beginning, and somehow also succeeding, in his tireless work, of raising funds for animal welfare programs in our community and nationally. When asked to send in his bio this is what he wrote:
“My name is Julian Businessman. I love business and I love helping others. My big goal is to end all hunger and homelessness for people and animals by revolutionizing business. I have lemonade and hot chocolate stands, and a line of merch that I designed myself and sell on my website. 30% of all my profits go to good causes. In the past year, I've raised more than $20,000 for animal rescue organizations, like Best Friends Animal Society and the Maui Humane Society. The way I see it, dog is not only man's best friend, but man should be dogs' best friend too.”
LIVMA 2024 Corporate Service Award
Pam Cronin from Dechra
|
|
Pam Cronin has been a member of the Long Island Veterinary Community in many different roles for over two decades. Along with loving horses, and providing BEMER Equine Circulation Therapy, Pam has been an LVT and sales representative for different veterinary companies.
She offers education and solutions to practices from the veterinary perspective. Pam is
able to motivate veterinary staff and can function in a consultative role to provide solutions to common situations within the veterinary hospital setting. She truly embodies what it means to offer expertise, commitment, and corporate service to the Long Island Veterinary Community.
Congratulations on receiving the LIVMA Outstanding Corporate Service Award.
She offers education and solutions to practices from the veterinary perspective. Pam is
able to motivate veterinary staff and can function in a consultative role to provide solutions to common situations within the veterinary hospital setting. She truly embodies what it means to offer expertise, commitment, and corporate service to the Long Island Veterinary Community.
Congratulations on receiving the LIVMA Outstanding Corporate Service Award.
Dr. Deirdre M. Hensen receives LIVMA Lifetime Achievement Award
|
Deirdre "Dee" M. Hensen receives LIVMA Lifetime Achievement Award.
|
Our last award of the evening goes to a member who been part of LIVMA for over four decades, Dr. Deirdre M. Hensen.
Dee, as she is known, has been a dedicated member of LIVMA since joining 42 years ago, right after graduating veterinary school in 1982.
An active member of the LIVMA Board for most of her professional career, she has served on numerous committees, as well as being LIVMA President in 1994.
You’ve heard us tonight talk about how Dee has managed the LIVMA / Cornell Cooperative Extension Veterinary Medicine Career Exploration Program with Cornell's Suffolk County Farm, this year celebrating over 30 years, but that is only one aspect of her work in our profession.
Since its inception she has participated in reviewing applications annually to the LIVMA Scholarship Committee.
Always interested in veterinary community outreach she has helped to spearhead LIVMA outreach programs like "Open House Across Long Island."
Dee, a horse owner herself, also works with LIVMA's Equine Education Committee, which has been offering horse owner education and Veterinary Equine CE for the last eight years.
Dee is also involved in her local community. Since 1992, when she and her husband Dr. David Hensen, opened Paumonauk Veterinary Hospital, Dee has been active in many area programs.
Through numerous fundraising efforts she has helped The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.
Tonight, LIVMA presents Dr. Deirdre M. Hensen with our Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dee, as she is known, has been a dedicated member of LIVMA since joining 42 years ago, right after graduating veterinary school in 1982.
An active member of the LIVMA Board for most of her professional career, she has served on numerous committees, as well as being LIVMA President in 1994.
You’ve heard us tonight talk about how Dee has managed the LIVMA / Cornell Cooperative Extension Veterinary Medicine Career Exploration Program with Cornell's Suffolk County Farm, this year celebrating over 30 years, but that is only one aspect of her work in our profession.
Since its inception she has participated in reviewing applications annually to the LIVMA Scholarship Committee.
Always interested in veterinary community outreach she has helped to spearhead LIVMA outreach programs like "Open House Across Long Island."
Dee, a horse owner herself, also works with LIVMA's Equine Education Committee, which has been offering horse owner education and Veterinary Equine CE for the last eight years.
Dee is also involved in her local community. Since 1992, when she and her husband Dr. David Hensen, opened Paumonauk Veterinary Hospital, Dee has been active in many area programs.
Through numerous fundraising efforts she has helped The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.
Tonight, LIVMA presents Dr. Deirdre M. Hensen with our Lifetime Achievement Award.
Donated Baskets Help Support
LIVMA's Scholarship Program
Thanks to our Executive Director Sue Zizza, and her office, for their help in organizing this event. We are delighted to be showcasing some of the best of Long Island’s wines and beers and chocolates from Sweet Dreams.
