Improving the veterinary profession through business education
Simmons & Associates is dedicated to improving the veterinary profession. In addition to connecting leading veterinarians and practices together nationally, Simmons is committed to helping grow the next generation of veterinarians.
The Simmons Educational Fund (SEF) was created to educate practitioners about the business aspects of the veterinary profession. To get the word out, the SEF reaches veterinarians through its various speaking engagements, seminars, newsletters, and other communication programs.
We are proud to announce that every year, the SEF awards $3,000 to one veterinary student from each participating school in the nation through its Business Aptitude Award Program. From the total winners, one additional student receives $15,000 for an award-winning essay submission. In addition, the national award winner will also receive a trip to the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas in order to receive the award.
What will your winning essay be?
If you are a student or would like to recommend our program to an aspiring veterinarian in school, please contact Dave Gerber, DVM, at 800-846-0062 or David King, DVM, at 800-982-8033.
SEF Business Aptitude Award Details
Mission: To recognize the student that distinguishes him/herself by demonstrating a keen interest and/or measurable aptitude in and for the pursuit of excellence in small animal practices.
- The award is offered to a 3rd year veterinary student at each veterinary school in the U.S.
- The awards are given at the school’s spring awards ceremonies
- Recipients are chosen either by a school committee or by a Simmons & Associate territory leader. Please check with your school for details.
- All $3,000 winners are eligible to compete for the $15,000 grand award
- All regional winners submit to the SEF board a resume and a short essay
- The SEF board will choose the $15,000 winner
2008 National Winner
Natalie Barrett will receive $10,000 and a trip to the 2008 Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas where the award will be presented. Barrett was selected from among the national candidates based upon her resume and her well-crafted solutions to the SEF Business Case Study.
“Natalie’s essay is really on point and specifically addresses the issues clearly with excellent insight. She really gets it,” said Dave Gerber, DVM, a Simmons professional and SEF trustee. “Her presentation is clear and concise with exceptional ideas and follow through.”
2007 SEF Award Winners
2007 National Award Winner –Charles Bradley Singleton
Charles Bradley Singleton, a Senior Veterinary Medical Student at Louisiana State University, is the 2007 National Recipient of the Simmons Educational Fund Business Aptitude Award.
Selected from eligible students from veterinary schools around the nation, Brad’s essay demonstrated an entrepreneurial interest with sound business skills that are necessary for success in veterinary business. The submitted essays were written around the topic: “Why Business is Essential to Veterinary Medicine”.
The SEF flew Mr. Singleton to Las Vegas to receive his $10,000 award at a private ceremony among SEF judges, colleagues, and industry leaders. The SEF increased the national award in 2007 from $5,000 to $10,000, a big surprise for Mr. Singleton when he received his oversized check.
Dr. David King, a Trustee for the Simmons Educational Fund, shares more about the SEF selection and submission process.
“The winner is chosen based on four areas: resume, essay content, style, and presentation. The essay carries the most weight. Our 2007 winner, Brad Singleton, had the best overall submission because he was able to articulate why business is important to good medicine. In a nutshell, Brad gets it. But Brad was not the only one who submitted a great essay. There were many applicants who delivered award winning pieces but Brad’s stood out as a clear leader.”
2006 SEF Award Winners
2006 National Award Winner – Tanya BeGole
Tanya BeGole, a senior veterinary medical student at The Ohio State University, is the 2006 National Recipient of the Simmons Educational Fund Business Aptitude Award.
Selected from eligible students from veterinary schools around the nation, Tanya’s essay demonstrated an entrepreneurial interest with sound business skills that are necessary for success in veterinary business. The submitted essays were written around the topic: “Business in Veterinary Medicine”.
"We are excited to present the 2006 National Award to Tonya,” said Dave King, DVM, Simmons and Associates Southcentral. “We had so many well thought out essays that selecting a winner was a tough job for our judges. Congratulations to all the 2006 SEF Award recipients.”
GREAT LAKES
Mike Marrinan – Michigan State
Andrea Monnig - Purdue
Amy Graham – Ohio State
INTERMOUNTAIN
David Lori - CSU
MIDWEST
Megan Dorn – KSU
Shana Owen – University of Minnesota
Kelli Kramer – University of Illinois
Caleb Hudson – Missouri
Ann Marie Kopp – Iowa State
Michael Miesen - Wisconsin
NORTHEAST
Tina Waltke – Cornell
Kirshna Thankey - Tufts
NORTHWEST
Hailey Gentile – WSU
Claire Varney – Oregon State
PACIFIC
Colleen Tansey – Western University
Allen Hayrapetian – UC Davis
SOUTHCENTRAL
Amber Brown – A&M
Charles Singleton – LSU
Danielle Kelton – OSU
SOUTHEAST
Cindy Brown – Tuskegee
Ashley Barfield – NC State
David Finlay – Auburn
Jason Shumaker – Mississippi State
John Joyce – University of Florida
Jody Willis – University of Georgia
Catrina Herd – University of Tennessee
2005 SEF Award Winners
Brian MacKie, $5,000 Winner
Brian MacKie, a senior at the Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine, is the 2005 National Recipient of the Simmons Educational Fund Business Aptitude Award.
Brian, who will receive his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in May, was selected following the judges’ evaluation of required essays submitted by eligible students from veterinary schools around the nation on the topic: “Business in Veterinary Medicine.”
David Gerber, DVM, who owns Simmons & Associates Northwest, Inc., said, "Complementing his superior medical skills, research experience and course work, Brian’s essay demonstrated a keen and comprehensive understanding of the business skills and systems required by today’s more successful veterinary practices. On behalf of the Simmons & Associates offices nationwide, we congratulate national winner, Brian MacKie, and each of the 2004 regional award recipients."
NORTHWEST:
Ashlee Redmond – WSU
SOUTHCENTRAL:
J. Chris Norwood – A&M
Richard Lefebvre, Jr. – LSU
Jessi Baxter – OSU
SOUTHEAST:
Jeremy Birchfield – Auburn
Elaina Hutchinson – Tuskeege
Amanda Roberts - University of Georgia
Martha F. Mallicote – University of Tennessee
Sarah Carotenuto – North Carolina State University
Michael Wong - University of Florida
Dawn Kocher - Mississippi State
MIDWEST:
James C. Park – University of Illinios
Beau B. Bosma – Iowa
Jarod Hanson – Minnesota
Melanie Goble – Wisconsin
Rebecca Plamondon – Missouri
Timothy S. Harmon – Kansas State University
INTERMOUNTAIN:
John Arnold – Colorado State University
GREAT LAKES:
Danielle E. Berube – Purdue
Tanya D. BeGole – Ohio State
Jason Mertens - Michigan State University
PACIFIC:
Colleen Tansey - Western University
Raina Petrov - UC Davis
NORTHEAST:
Deborah Yoon - Tufts
Bennett Wilson - Cornell
2004 SEF WINNERS
The 2004 regional recipients of the Simmons Educational Fund Awards were:
MIDWEST:
Kelly Morgan, Romanie Walter (University of Illinois)
Cathleen Mochal (Iowa State University)
Amy Lynn Lomas (Kansas State University)
Tawnia K. Prior (University of Minnesota)
Jay Taylor (University of Missouri)
Denise Stemps (University of Wisconsin)
SOUTHEAST:
Arlynn Blazer (Auburn University)
Kevin F. Smith (Tuskegee University)
Dawn Kocher (Mississippi State University)
Vasiliki Meisenburg (University of Florida)
Vera Anatolievna Tucker (University of Tennessee)
Lisa Southard (University of Georgia)
Jaime Le (North Carolina State University)
NORTHEAST:
Andrew Hersman (Tufts University)
Brett Thomas Tillou (Cornell University)
PACIFIC:
Amanda L. Edwards (Western University of Health Sciences)
GREAT LAKES:
Andrew James Fipp (Purdue University)
SOUTH CENTRAL:
Matt Teuscher (Oklahoma State University)
Victoria Smith, Tyson Wallis (Texas A&M)
W. Todd Fulton (Louisiana State University)
NORTHWEST:
Brian MacKie (Washington State University)
INTERMOUNTAIN:
Jennifer Forste (Colorado State University)
For more information about the Simmmons Educational Fund, contact:
Dr. David Gerber: 800-846-0062 or
Dr. David King: 800-982-8033
