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LSU SVM Honors Class of 1977 Graduate
with Distinguished Alumnus Award
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Dean Peter F.
Haynes (left) presents Dr. Robert D. “Bob”
Simmons with the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus
Award at the LSU SVM’s 76th Annual Conference
for Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians on
November 10. |
The LSU
School of Veterinary Medicine awarded the 2007
Distinguished Alumnus Award to Dr. Robert D. “Bob”
Simmons (LSU ’77) at its 76th Annual
Conference for Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians
on November 10. Dr. Simmons is vice president, Global
Pharmaceutical Research with Schering-Plough Animal
Health Corporation in Summit, N.J. He was a member of
the first class of the School of Veterinary Medicine,
receiving his DVM from LSU in 1977. His class is
celebrating its thirtieth reunion this year.
Dr.
Simmons joined Schering-Plough in 1988 as a research
program director. He has served in his current position
since 1997. After graduating from the SVM, Dr. Simmons
first worked as a practicing veterinarian at Bossier
Animal Hospital in Bossier City, La. From 1979 to 1988
he worked for Beecham Laboratories in Bristol, Tenn.,
before joining Schering-Plough. During his career with
Schering-Plough, he has been involved in both
pharmaceutical and biological product development.
As a
vice president with Schering-Plough, Dr. Simmons is
responsible for overseeing the research and development
of new pharmaceuticals for animal health. He is involved
in all aspects of product development, from discovery to
clinical research and drug safety. He has been involved
in the development and approval of many commonly used
products in veterinary medicine today, such as Clavamox®,
Amoxi-Mast®, Mometamax®, Otomax®, Optimmune®, Orbax®,
Zubrin®, Nuflor®, Banamine®, Resflor®, M+Pac®, Clinacox™,
Slice® and Aquaflor®. “These drug introductions have
proven to be very important contributions to veterinary
medicine,” said Dr. Stephen Gaunt (LSU ’77), LSU SVM
professor of veterinary clinical pathology, who
nominated Dr. Simmons for this award.
Dr.
Simmons is a member of the American Veterinary Medical
Association and several other professional
organizations. He is a fellow in the American Academy of
Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics and is listed
in Who’s Who in Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Simmons
is also active in the Bridgewater United Methodist
Church, having served as the chairman of the
Staff-Parish Relations Committee and as a youth advisor;
he is currently a member of the Board of Trustees. He
has served his community as Scoutmaster for Boy Scout
Troop 46 and is currently a staff member of Operation
Shoebox NJ, a non-profit organization that collects,
packs and ships items to our troops serving in Iraq,
Afghanistan and other Middle Eastern countries.
Dr.
Simmons met his wife Julia in 1976, when she presented
her cat on an emergency call at the SVM. They married in
1979 and are the parents of two sons, Will (age 26) and
John (age 22). “Bob is at the height of an exemplary
career, serving in a high-level management position in a
worldwide player in the veterinary pharmaceutical
field,” said Dr. Gaunt. “LSU should be very proud of
this alumnus!”
Dr.
Simmons was presented with the Distinguished Alumnus
Award by Dean Peter F. Haynes during the Alumni Luncheon
at the LSU SVM’s Annual Conference on November 10. Upon
receiving the award, Dr. Simmons stated, “I would like
to thank the School of Veterinary Medicine for
presenting me with this wonderful honor and for the
instruction that the Class of 1977 received, which
enabled us to go on and accomplish the things that we
have achieved. My appreciation goes out to the School of
Veterinary Medicine, the staff—some of whom are still
here today—to the Class of 1977, and to my best friend,
who is also my wife, Julia.”
The
Distinguished Alumnus Award is a means to recognize
alumni of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine for
outstanding professional and personal achievements. The
award is presented at the Annual Conference each
year. Any veterinarian who received the Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine degree from Louisiana State
University before 1998 is eligible for the award.
Candidates will be recognized for their accomplishments
in veterinary medicine and/or contributions to the
community through public service. Previous winners
include Dr. Robert Lewis (LSU ’77), Elgin, Texas, 1990
recipient; Drs. Larry McCaskill (LSU ’81), Oscar, La.,
Mark Mikelonis (LSU ’88, Covington, La., and Jim Floyd
(LSU ’87), Pittsboro, N.C., 1991 recipients; Dr. Allen
J. Roussel (LSU ’77), College Station, Texas, 1992
recipient; Dr. Mike Strain (LSU ’83), Covington, La.,
2003 recipient; Dr. Alfred Stevens (LSU ’79), Baton
Rouge, La., 2004 recipient; Dr. Gregory Rich (LSU ’85),
Kenner, La., 2005 recipient; and Dr. Mary Boudreaux (LSU
’79), Auburn, Ala., 2006 recipient.
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