Spronk is the 18th recipient of this award that honors individuals who have made a significant impact on swine health management research and was created in honor of Allen D. Leman. Leman strived to bring together professionals to discuss new research and important issues in the swine industry. He also helped establish the swine conference for this purpose.

“I’m humbled to have received this award because it symbolizes work by practitioners that are making significant contributions from the field to research that is moving disease control and elimination forward,” says Gordon Spronk, DVM. “It recognizes the role that the practitioner plays from the field.”

He adds: “Dr. Al Leman was my mentor and the reason that I’m a swine veterinarian. It’s very rewarding receiving an award in his name and from the University of Minnesota, my alma mater.”

For the past 30 years, Spronk has been a staff veterinarian and partner at Pipestone Veterinary Clinic in Pipestone, Minn. He serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, where he sits on the advisory board of the Swine Disease Eradication Center.

Named Swine Practitioner of the Year by the American Association of Swine Practitioners in 2000, Spronk has earned recognition by being active in the field of swine health, management and production.

He received his doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Minnesota.

“As part of Pfizer Animal Heath’s ongoing Commitment to Veterinarians™ – this award helps signify our support and investment in the future of this profession,” says Sornsen. “We strive to honor and recognize deserving individuals, such as Dr. Spronk, who have made a difference in our industry.”