The TJ Lafeber Avian Practitioner Award is presented to an outstanding veterinarian currently in private practice who is advancing the quality of health care to companion birds. Clinical excellence (by demonstrating a high level of knowledge and understanding of medical diagnostics, treatment, and/or surgery), innovation, promotion of the veterinary profession (including veterinary students, veterinarians and/or the bird owning public), and contributions to the knowledge base through scholarly activities are important criteria for this Award of recognition. Veterinarians receiving this Award will be expected to present the Lafeber Avian Memorial Lecture to students and faculty at The University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine to reflect on their companion avian expertise. They may also elect to provide an additional lecture at a College of Veterinary Medicine of their choosing during the year of their Award recognition that is mutually agreed upon by the Committee.

Veterinarians under consideration must be in good standing with the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) and be currently active in private practice with companion birds. The ideal candidate demonstrates both commitment and a record of:

•Excellence in clinical skills with companion birds,

• Innovation in providing new information to advance the quality of health care to birds,

•Active involvement in scholarship over the past 5 years, whether writing and/or lecturing,

•Inspiration to the companion avian community,

•Caring and compassion to their avian patients and clients and

•Promotion of the veterinary profession in speaking and in action with the colleagues, veterinary students and/or the public.

Nominations are made by including a CV and letter of recommendation outlining in detail the qualities of the veterinarian and their ability to fulfill the criteria.

A selection committee evaluates the nominees and makes a selection by secret ballot and announced by Dr Lafeber in memory of his father at the AAV Annual Conference and Expo. The committee consists of at least three avian veterinarians who are recognized nationally or internationally, including a recent or current Conference Committee member of AAV, an avian veterinarian in private practice who is not on the AAV board, an avian veterinarian at a veterinary teaching institution and a recent recipient of the Award.

Letters of Nomination should be directed to Dr Ted Lafeber by June 15, 2009. This letter should include a short (2-3 pages) CV highlighting the accomplishments that relate to the Award criteria of the nominee and a letter of support discussing those qualities that reflect the spirit of the Award in relation to the individual.

An award of $1,000 is given to the Award Recipient at the meeting of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, along with a statue commemorating the Award. Monetary support for the Award and for travel to The University of Tennessee will be provided by the Lafeber Company. The winner will present The TJ Lafeber Award Lecture at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, within 1 year of receiving the award