UF veterinary college names 2005 Distinguished Award winners

Large and small animal medicine are equally represented in the 2005 University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Council Distinguished Awards program with the selection of a dairy reproduction specialist and a small animal internist and hospital administrator for two key awards.

The program spotlights distinguished alumni, faculty and friends of the college. The awards will be presented May 28 at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts: one for alumni achievement and one for distinguished service to the veterinary profession.

Carlos Risco, D.V.M., a member of the college's class of 1980 - its first graduating class - will receive the Alumni Achievement Award.

Risco, a professor in the college's department of large animal clinical sciences, is an internationally recognized lecturer on dairy cattle. A board-certified theriogenologist, Risco has twice been selected Large Animal Clinician of the Year by UF veterinary students. He also received the Daniels Pharmaceuticals Young Clinical Investigator Award in 1996 for his contributions to field, for improving understanding of the health and reproductive effects of feeding whole cottonseed to lactating dairy cows.

For many years, Risco has been actively involved in the college's alumni council, serving as a liaison between members of the class of 1980 and college faculty and administrators. Prior to coming to UF, Risco spent 10 years in private practice at a premier dairy practice in California.

"Whether as a student, a practitioner, a professor or an international lecturer, Dr. Risco has always represented the college in the most dignified way," wrote Julio Ibanez, D.V.M., a former classmate, in nominating Risco for the award. "He has brought distinction to his profession and to his university, and for that he is deserving of recognition."

Michael Schaer, D.V.M., a professor of small animal medicine at the college and associate chairman of the department of small animal clinical sciences, will receive the Distinguished Service Award. Schaer, who also serves as associate chief of staff of UF's Small Animal Hospital, oversees the day-to-day workings of an organization that provides veterinary services to more than 10,000 companion animals a year. Prior to joining UF in 1978, Schaer worked at the prestigious Animal Medical Center in New York City.

"I think we all know 'Uncle Mikey,'" wrote Cynthia Massey, D.V.M., in her nomination letter. "He has brought energy and great teaching skills to UF. I'll bet there isn't a practicing small animal D.V.M. alumnus who doesn't hear Dr. Schaer in the back of their head at least a few times a year."

Schaer, who is board certified in veterinary internal medicine and in emergency and critical care, has received multiple Teacher of the Year and Clinician of the Year awards from UF veterinary students and was a 1994 recipient of the university's Superior Accomplishments Award. He also received UF's Blue Key Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2001.