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2007 Distinguished
Alumnus Award Recipient
Distinguished Alumnus Award Criteria
Past Recipients
2008 Distinguished Alumnus Award Nomination Form
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.
Distinguished
Alumnus Award Criteria
The Distinguished Alumnus Award is a means to
recognize alumni of the Louisiana State University School of
Veterinary Medicine for outstanding professional and
personal achievements. The award, which consists of an
individual plaque and the placement of the honoree’s name on
a group plaque in the School of Veterinary Medicine, will be
presented at the Annual Conference each year.
Eligibility:
Any veterinarian who received the
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Louisiana State
University before 1998 is eligible for the award.
Criteria:
Candidates will be recognized for their accomplishments in
veterinary medicine and/or contributions to the community
through public service.
To be considered for the 2008 Distinguished
Alumnus Award, a completed nomination form along with a
summary résumé of the nominee or the nominator’s cover
letter describing why the nominee is a distinguished alumnus
must be received no later than
Friday, August 29, 2008.
Selection:
The Awards Committee will review nominations and vote on the
recipient(s). The Awards Committee reserves the right to not
select a recipient each year.
Past Recipients of the Distinguished Alumnus Award:
1990 Dr.
Robert Lewis, ’77
1991 Dr.
Larry McCaskill, ’81; Dr. Mark Mikelonis, ’88; Dr. Jim
Floyd, ’81
1992 Dr.
Allen J. Roussel, ’77
2003 Dr. Mike
Strain, ’83
2004 Dr.
Alfred Stevens, ’79
2005 Dr.
Gregory Rich, ’85
2006 Dr. Mary
Boudreaux, ’79
2007 Dr.
Robert K. "Bob" Simmons ’77
We encourage you to participate in this
wonderful tradition of recognizing our outstanding alumni by
nominating a highly regarded peer who is deserving of this
award. Please consider nominating a fellow SVM alum today!
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