AVMA President Honors MU CVM Alumnus Fobian

Clark Kenneth Fobian, DVM, a 1977 graduate of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine was among those honored recently by John Howe, DVM, 2019-2020 president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Howe named Fobian, along with Minnesota veterinarian William Maher, and the AVMA staff, recipients of the AVMA President’s Award.

The award recognizes those who have made a positive impact on health, veterinary organizations and the profession.

Fobian received the award in recognition and gratitude for his commitment to leadership by example and his encouragement for individual involvement in organized veterinary medicine.

“Because of his stability, consistency and dedication, his actions have led to a stronger AVMA and have influenced many current and up-and-coming veterinarians,” Howe said.

Fobian, of Sedalia, Missouri, has more than 40 years of experience as a veterinarian. He earned both a bachelor of science in wildlife biology and his DVM at MU.

He worked as an associate veterinarian in a mixed animal practice in Nevada and Marshall, Missouri. From 1972 to 1978, he also served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a medic for the 5503rd Army Hospital. He started his own small animal practice in Sedalia in 1981. Owning, operating and staffing Thompson Hills Animal Clinic for 35 years was his ongoing passion.

He began his volunteer leadership within the profession by serving on the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association for many years and was the association’s president in 2003. He went on to serve a six-year term as District VII representative on the AVMA Executive Board before being elected president of the AVMA, holding that position in 2013-2014. In addition, he served as chair of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation Board of Directors for two years.

Earlier this year, he was presented with the Distinguished Legislative Leadership Award from the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association. That honor recognizes legislative leadership consistent with the MVMA mission; protecting the health and welfare of animals and relieving their suffering; advancement of public health; and the conservation of animal resources.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 95,000 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities and dedicated to the art and science of veterinary medicine.