Wisconsin DVM earns international honor

MEXICO CITY - 6/2/05 - Dr. Rebecca Kirby was awarded the World Small Animal Veterinary Association's (WSAVA) Hill's Excellence in Veterinary Healthcare Award during the group's annual meeting in Mexico City.

The award recognizes outstanding work of veterinarians promoting companion animal healthcare and the human-animal bond through nutrition and advanced medical and surgical techniques. Kirby, now practicing at the Animal Emergency Center in Glendale, Wis., was recognized for her work in the creation of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care as well as the development of emergency medicine within the University of Pennsylvania's veterinary teaching hospital.

"Dr. Kirby has been a guiding light in the development and growth of the specialty of emergency medicine, both with regards to principles of triage and therapeutics and attending to the emotions inherent to the human-animal bond that are evoked during the stress of emergency situations," WSAVA officials say in a prepared statement.

Kirby could not be reached for comment by presstime.