The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has presented its 2016 Lifetime Excellence in Research Award to Susan M. Stover, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, of the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), School of Veterinary Medicine.

Stover, who received the award at the 2016 Merial-NIH National Veterinary Scholars Symposium, was recognized for her lifetime achievement in applied and clinical research, which focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries, predominantly in horses, but also in small animals.

“Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Stover has played a pivotal role in improving our understanding of performance-related injuries in racing horses,” said Joe Kinnarney, DVM, AVMA president. “She is an accomplished researcher whose work has been recognized across the globe and has had far-reaching effects across the veterinary profession.”

Stover’s research has substantially improved horse welfare, as evidenced by the industry-wide adoption of evidence-based recommendations to enhance racetrack surfaces, augmented training methods, and refined surgical treatments