UF Alumni Achievement Award

UF veterinary college names 2007 Distinguished Award winners Filed under Campus, Awards & Honors, Announcements on Monday, May 14, 2007. GAINESVILLE, Fla. - A small-animal practice owner, a livestock reproduction specialist and a North Florida dairyman have been honored in the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine alumni council’s 2007 Distinguished Awards program.

Three awards were designated: one for alumni achievement, one for distinguished service to the veterinary profession and one for special service.

This year’s Alumni Achievement Award recipient is Link Welborn, D.V.M., a 1982 graduate of the college. Welborn, co-owner of several small-animal practices in Tampa, is a past president of the American Animal Hospital Association. He has served on the college’s alumni council and advisory committee and helped establish the Jim Himes Alumni Scholarship in honor of an emeritus dean of students at the college. Welborn was named Veterinarian of the Year by the Florida Veterinary Medical Association in 2006.

“Dr. Welborn is a stellar example of one who models professionalism across all slices of life,” said Gail Kunkle, D.V.M., a professor of small-animal dermatology and associate chair for instruction at the college, in a letter supporting Welborn’s nomination. “He is an ambassador for veterinary medicine nationwide as well as serving as an ambassador for our college.”

Veterinarian Is Cat’s Meow

By JOYCE McKENZIE, The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 27, 2007

TEMPLE TERRACE - When his wife, Sarah, is happy, Leon Mandell is happy.

And, when Francis - the couple’s 17-year-old longhaired silky black cat with a multitude of health problems - is happy, Sarah Mandell is delighted.

Sarah Mandell has been in high spirits ever since the couple, retired University of South Florida professors, selected veterinarian Link Welborn of Temple Terrace Animal & Bird Hospital as Francis’ professional caregiver early last year.

‘Dr. Welborn is a great doctor. His knowledge is very impressive, and his interaction with Francis is also impressive. The people who work with him are also exceptional,’ Sarah Mandell said. ‘I think the key to it all is that Francis is not unhappy when he comes here.’

It’s people such as the Mandells who also bring joy to Welborn.

‘Every day I see happy clients that value the care and service that we provide. I love it when everything goes right for those clients and pets. That interaction sure is fun,’ he said.

Welborn, of Carrollwood, also recently found great pleasure in learning he had been named 2007 Practitioner of the Year by the American Animal Hospital Association.

The association is an international organization of more than 32,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals. Its purpose is to enhance their practices by providing medical care resources and consultants to help each practice meet the organization’s high standards of excellence, according to the association’s Web site.

All four of Welborn’s offices - the others are in New Tampa, south Tampa and Town ‘N Country - are among just 14 percent of companion animal clinics in North America accredited by the association.

Welborn, the 2003-04 president of the organization, said the association has a passion to help practices succeed in every way possible.

‘Becoming involved in organized veterinary medicine, in particular the American Animal Hospital Association, is the best decision I’ve ever made,’ he said. ‘While I’ve put countless hours into association work, like many volunteer leaders in our profession I feel I’ve gotten far more out of it.’

Veterinarian Daniel Aja of Cherry Bend Animal Hospital in Traverse City, Mich., who was chairman of the award’s nominating committee, credited Welborn with writing many of the association’s standards and called him a tireless worker.

‘Link is one of the top veterinarians in the country in organized medicine and was overwhelmingly qualified for this award, the top award for the association. … Tampa is blessed to have him as a veterinarian,’ Aja said.

Dennis A. Feinberg of Charles Towne Veterinary Clinic in Charleston, S.C., and a fellow association member, concurred.

‘He has really committed himself to the betterment of care for the profession,’ Feinberg said. ‘Link chaired our four-year committee to write over 800 standards you have to adhere to. He was the person who created an energy in raising the bar. He’s had a lot of dedication to our profession, and his family has sacrificed so much through the years because of his commitment.’

Welborn, married to Laura and the father of Kaitlin and Christopher, graduated as valedictorian of King High School in 1976. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida and graduated with honors from the University Of Florida College Of Medicine in 1982.

As a teenager, he worked part time for veterinarian James Robinson, then owner of the practice in Temple Terrace that Welborn and veterinarian partner Tim Lassett purchased in 1991. Welborn credited the now-deceased Robinson as being his mentor.

‘I lived on a small farm and had a lot of exposure to animals,’ he said. ‘My mother was a nurse, so it was an obvious combination.’

Board-certified in canine and feline practice, Welborn also serves on the financial advisory committee of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, an international organization that fosters the exchange of veterinary scientific information to advance the quality and availability of small-animal medicine and surgery. The association sponsors continuing education events in the poorest regions of Europe, Asia, South America and Africa.

‘At least once a year, I will travel outside the country, but I mainly raise money to have others go,’ Welborn said.

In 2003, he received the Hillsborough County Veterinary Medical Society’s Outstanding Service Award and was named Veterinarian of the Year by the Florida Veterinary Medical Association. In addition, he recently was presented with the University Of Florida College Of Veterinary Medicine’s 2007 Alumni Achievement Award.

Temple Terrace residents Mindy and Ken DeVane have been clients of Welborn for many years. Their two cocker spaniels are his most recent patients.

‘I trust him implicitly with my children - my furry babies - and he’s helped me through the years with many difficult situations and difficult times,’ Mindy DeVane said. ‘The staff is also terrific.’

Temple Terrace Animal & Bird Hospital office manager Jennifer Underwood said she is honored to be employed by Welborn.

‘It’s like coming to work for somebody famous,’ she said. ‘He’s humble, he’s intelligent and he’s all about what’s in the best interest of others.’

Local Veterinarian Is Named Top Dog

The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 12, 2007

TEMPLE TERRACE - Link Welborn is the American Animal Hospital Association’s Practitioner of the Year.

Welborn, a resident of Carrollwood, has practices in Temple Terrace, New Tampa, south Tampa and Town ‘N Country.

‘Becoming involved in organized veterinary medicine, in particular the American Animal Hospital Association, is the best decision I’ve ever made,’ he said. ‘While I’ve put countless hours into association work, like many volunteer leaders in our profession I feel I’ve gotten far more out of it.’

The AAHA is an international organization of more than 32,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals.

Its purpose is to provide medical care resources and consultants to help each practice meet the organization’s high standards of excellence, according to the AAHA Web site.

Pebble Creek Animal and Bird Hospital Receives Accreditation

TAMPA, FL — Pebble Creek Animal and Bird Hospital of Tampa has received accreditation following a comprehensive evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association. The evaluation includes a quality assessment review of the hospital’s facility, medical equipment, practice methods and pet health care management.

Only 12 percent of all small animal veterinary practices in the U.S. have achieved accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association. In order to maintain accredited status, Pebble Creek Animal and Bird Hospital must continue to be evaluated regularly by the association’s trained consultants.

“Pebble Creek Animal and Bird Hospital belongs to a select group of practices that are committed to meeting the highest standards in veterinary medicine,” says Michael P. Andrews, DVM, AAHA president. “AAHA hospitals pass a stringent evaluation of over 900 standards covering patient care, client service and medical protocols. By attaining accreditation, Pebble Creek Animal and Bird Hospital is demonstrating its dedication to offering the best care to its patients and clients.”

The American Animal Hospital Association is an international organization of more than 36,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals. Established in 1933, the association is well known among veterinarians for its high standards for hospitals and pet health care. For pet care information or a referral to an AAHA hospital, pet owners can visit the AAHA website at www.healthypet.com.

Pebble Creek Animal and Bird Hospital is located at 19651 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and can be reached online at www.pebblecreekanimal.com.

Dr. Link Welborn Receives AAHA Practitioner of the Year Award 2007

DENVER— Link Welborn, DVM, of Tampa, Florida, received the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Practitioner of the Year Award on March 20 at the association’s yearly conference in Denver, Colorado. The award is the association’s highest honor and is given for outstanding contributions to the profession and the community.

“Through his steady determination, professional involvement and excellent leadership skills, Dr. Welborn has had a tremendous impact on the quality of small animal veterinary care. His drive has improved the lives of millions of animals,” said AAHA Past Presidents Daniel Aja, DVM, and Dennis Feinberg, DVM, who jointly presented the award.

Dr. Welborn owns four AAHA-accredited veterinary hospitals in Tampa, Florida. He received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine with Honors at the University of Florida, Gainesville in 1982.

Dr. Welborn has been involved with AAHA since 1992, serving in a variety of capacities, including member of the AAHA Board for seven years and President during the 2003-2004 term. He represents AAHA in the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and is currently the Chair of the Accredited Referral Practice Task Force. His service to AAHA also includes chairing the Standards Enhancement Task Force and the Accreditation Program Task Force.

In addition to his AAHA connections, Dr. Welborn has been affiliated with numerous other professional veterinary organizations throughout his career, including the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues, Veterinary Council for Preventative Healthcare and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association.

The American Animal Hospital Association is an international organization of 6,000 veterinary care teams, comprising more than 36,000 veterinary professionals, who are committed to excellence in companion animal care. Established in 1933, the association is well known among veterinarians for its leadership of the profession and its high standards for veterinary practices and pet health care, particularly its accreditation of companion animal practices. For more information about AAHA, visit the association online at www.aahanet.org.