Wade Northington, director of the Breathitt Veterinary Center, received the 2012 Distinguished Service Award at the 101st Annual Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Meeting and 39th Mid-America Veterinary Conference this fall in Louisville, Ky. He received this recognition for his devotion to the veterinary profession and providing quality service to the community and the association.
Northington has provided a multitude of services to the veterinary profession through his work on a variety of committees for KVMA, including the Informatics Committee, Budget and Finance Committee, and Auburn Alumni Advisory Council.
Other organizations related to the veterinary profession he has served are the American Veterinary Medical Association and American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.
Northington was the KVMA president in 2004-05 and served as the president of his local West Central Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association. Currently, he is active in his community as a member of the local Board of Health and Chamber of Commerce.
“My father and older brother are veterinarians, so I grew up in the profession and never considered any other career track,” Northington said. “My father, Dr. Louis Northington, was my inspiration and professional role model. He was very active in professional veterinary organizations, serving as president of the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and the Southern Veterinary Medical Association.”
He said he was imprinted with the importance of working with colleagues to advance the veterinary profession and provide service to communities.
A native of Mayfield, Ky., Northington graduated from the University of Kentucky with his undergraduate pre-veterinary studies and continued his education at the Auburn University College of Veterinary medicine.
“Veterinary medicine has provided me with a very fulfilling and rewarding career,” Northington said. “I have enjoyed a 40-year career in veterinary medicine and it is very rewarding to receive the KVMA Distinguished Service Award in recognition of lifetime achievement.”