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Luc Dufresne, DVM, has been named the recipient of the 2014 Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award. The award was presented by Zoetis at the 2014 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference, hosted by the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota. The award is given to a veterinarian who is committed to research and applying that knowledge to help improve the swine industry.
Dr. Dufresne graduated from the University of Montreal Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 1988 and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners certified in Swine Health Management, a designation earned by certification in clinical practice for a specific species with demonstration of exceptional knowledge, skill and competency. Dr. Dufresne serves as the senior director of health assurance at Seaboard Foods, an integrated system with nearly 220,000 sows producing 4.5 million market hogs annually on farms located in Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Texas.
At Seaboard Foods, Dr. Dufresne oversees the health protocol and prevention program with a team of veterinarians and technicians. Their overall goal is to produce healthy and safe food. Dr. Dufresne also develops and supervises research projects to improve the performance of pork, with a focus on animal health and welfare at Seaboard Foods’ commercial and research farms.
“Thank you to the University of Minnesota and Zoetis for honoring me with this award,” Dr. Dufresne said. “It is gratifying to be a part of this great industry and community of pork professionals. Thank you, also, to my mentors and co-workers who recognize the value in applied practical research. You continue to encourage and inspire my work to improve swine health and production.”
Dr. Dufresne and Seaboard Foods have been leaders among the industry response to the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv). This disease first appeared in the U.S. about 18 months ago. Dr. Dufresne estimates that more than 50% of the U.S. sow population has been affected by PED virus in that short time frame.
“Through his dedication to improve swine health and production, and his leadership with response to PEDv, we’re pleased to honor Dr. Dufresne with this award,” said Shelley Stanford, DVM, Director, U.S. Pork Technical Services, Zoetis. “I know Dr. Dufresne will continue to make his positive impact on swine health and the success of the pork industry.”
The Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award is named after the former University of Minnesota veterinarian who dedicated his career to improvements in swine production and the education of practicing veterinarians. After his death in 1992, the annual conference that he co-founded was named in his honor.
Over the past 20 years, this award has been given to some of the most accomplished veterinary leaders in the swine industry. As part of the ongoing Zoetis Commitment to Veterinarians™, this award helps signify the company’s support and investment in the future of the veterinary profession.
September 15, 2014 - Zoetis
