OVC Alumni Association honours distinguished graduates with awards during Alumni Weekend

Every year, the Ontario Veterinary College Alumni Association (OVCAA) celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of OVC alumni who have made significant contributions to the veterinary profession. This year, the OVCAA recognizes Dr. Dave Renaud (OVC DVM 2014), Dr. Dorothee Bienzle (OVC DVM 1988) and Dr. Jennifer Ogeer (OVC DVM 1995) for their extraordinary work in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Dave Renaud, OVCAA Young Alumni Award

Dr. Dave Renaud has been awarded the Young Alumni Award for his contributions to research, education and the veterinary profession. Renaud received both his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and PhD in epidemiology from OVC and is now an associate professor in the Department of Population Medicine. He’s also a practicing veterinarian working with dairy producers and calf raisers around the Guelph area.

“Dave Renaud is a tireless educator, sharer of knowledge and influencer for positive change in veterinary medicine,” remarks Dr. Stephen LeBlanc, one of Renaud’s nominators and his colleague in the Department of Population Medicine at OVC. “He inspires DVM students and OVC graduate students to be thoughtful, critical and engaged. He is not only a creative scholar, but also models the strongest service ethic that is the best of our profession.”

Renaud’s research focuses on identifying factors associated with improving cattle health, specifically in calves, and evaluating alternative management strategies to reduce the level of antimicrobial use.

In addition to his research and teaching commitments, Dr. Renaud gives back to the veterinary profession through his service on numerous boards and committees. He is a member of the DVM Program Committee, the Bovine Education Trust Committee, and an OVC representative on OAHN (bovine). He is also on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners and the Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners and has served on the Canadian Veal Code of Practice Committee.

Dr. Dorothee Bienzle, OVCAA Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. Dorothee Bienzle has received the Distinguished Alumni Award for her dedication as a mentor and educator and her leadership within the veterinary profession. Bienzle graduated with a DVM degree from OVC in 1988, before returning to the University of Guelph for a Master of Science degree combined with a residency in Veterinary Clinical Pathology. She is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and holds a doctorate in Immunology from McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.

“I have chosen to nominate Dr. Bienzle because of her research excellence, teaching excellence, and service excellence,” says her nominator. “What makes her even more special is not only that she uses her energy, intelligence, skill and commitment to excellence to lead others, but that she is an active and highly visible proponent of redressing issues of equality, diversity and inclusivity within the College, University, and far more widely.”

As a faculty member at the University of Guelph, Bienzle has an active research program focused on feline immunity and equine asthma. She teaches aspects of the veterinary and graduate curriculum, including diagnostic interpretations for the OVC Health Sciences Centre (HSC).

Bienzle has been recognized both locally and nationally for her research and teaching excellence. She held the Canada Research Chair in Veterinary Pathology (Tier 2) and the Medical Research Council of Canada’s Research Fellowship in addition to numerous teaching and mentorship awards throughout her career.

She has given back to the veterinary profession and the scientific community through her work on various committees and initiatives, including both the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP), including recently serving as the President of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. At OVC, she has mentored junior faculty in several departments, many of whom are now established and successful mid-career researchers.

Dr. Jennifer Ogeer, OVCAA Alumni Volunteer Award

Dr. Jennifer Ogeer has received the Alumni Volunteer Award in honour of her dedication and commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in the veterinary profession and for her advocacy of animal welfare.

She graduated with a DVM degree from OVC in 1995 and went on to complete an emergency medicine/critical care residency at Tufts University/Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston and a Master of Science degree in Critical Care at OVC. Since then, she has spent several years in academic teaching, research, clinical practice and administration as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University and an Associate Professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Canada. 

Ogeer is currently the University Veterinarian for the University of British Columbia (UBC), overseeing research and managing a large team of Clinical Veterinarians and post-approval monitoring compliance officer and veterinarian.

She volunteers with several not-for-profit organizations including a term as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Oakville-Milton Humane Society and is the Chair for Veterinarians without Borders in Canada after completing two terms as the Chair of their international branch. She has volunteered as the Vice-Chair and Treasurer of the OVC Pet Trust Advisory Board of Directors and is the current Chair of the OVC Pet Trust Board. 

Ogeer is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in veterinary medicine and has been a founding member and Vice-Chair of the Diversity Veterinary Medicine Coalition and an Executive Member of the Black Veterinary Professionals Association of Canada. She has also been a Board Director for the Mars State of Pet Homelessness Index. 

When describing the impact of Ogeer’s volunteerism, her award nominator Dr. Jonas Goring wrote: “A proud graduate of OVC, Dr. Ogeer has spent much of her career giving back to society, building a better world for animals and the people who love and care for them. Her dedication and her energy inspire those around her to volunteer their time and create impactful change.”