Withrow wins Morris award

ORLANDO, FLA. — Credited with changing the way veterinarians treat cancer, Stephen J. Withrow, DVM, DACVS, Dipl. ACVIM, received the prestigious 2007 Mark L. Morris, Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Stephen Withrow

The announcement of the award came at the recently concluded North American Veterinary Conference.

The award is presented annually to a veterinarian who has made a lifetime commitment to improving the health and well-being of companion animals. Recognized as a pioneer in cancer research and treatment, Withrow is an internationally acclaimed scientist and award-winning professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University (CSU).

"Dr. Withrow's dedication to winning the battle against cancer in companion animals is an extraordinary example of the veterinary profession's commitment to making a difference for the pets of our world and the families who love them," says Mary Beth Leininger, DVM, director of Professional Affairs for Hill's and former AVMA President. "His contributions to veterinary medicine and academic excellence are remarkable, reflecting the legacy left to the profession by Dr. Mark L. Morris, Sr."

Dr. Lance Perryman, dean of CSU's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, adds, "With compassion, vision and unmatched dedication, he has made a tremendous impact not only on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in companion animals, but he has also reached into human medical care."

Withrow joined CSU in 1978 and since 2001 has served as director of the university's Animal Cancer Center, holding the Stuart Chair in Oncology. In 2004, he was named a University Distinguished Professor. His ground-breaking innovation, a limb-sparing technique for the treatment of canine osteosarcoma, has been widely adopted in human cancer centers and has helped many children facing the disease.

Since it was established 25 years ago, the Animal Cancer Center has grown to be the largest companion- animal cancer research center in the United States, training more veterinary oncologists than any other veterinary teaching hospital in the world. The center also has an international reputation for its collaboration with human cancer institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, the National Cancer Institute and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

"The discipline of veterinary oncology as we understand it today was invented by Dr. Withrow. He may very well be the pre-eminent veterinary clinical scientist of his generation," Perryman adds.

In recognition of his lifetime of service, Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. donated $20,000 to the Morris Animal Foundation in Withrow's name.