USAHA News
United States Animal Health Association
Contact:  Larry Mark - (703) 451-3954 - ldmark@erols.com


For immediate release:


USAHA “Medal of Distinction” Awarded to Dr. Clarence Campbell and Dr. Dick McCapes

	MINNEAPOLIS, Minn, Oct. 15, 2006 -- Dr. Clarence Campbell and Dr. Dick McCapes were 
the first recipients of the new U.S. Animal Health Association’s “Medal of Distinction,” the highest 
award presented to an Association member. 

	“These two individuals are highly deserving of this award,” said Dr. Bret Marsh, USAHA 
president, as he presented the medals.  Marsh said the new medal, which was established in May 
of this year, was presented at the Association’s annual meeting in Minneapolis this week.  The 
medal will be awarded annually to recognize one or more USAHA members who have demonstrated 
outstanding leadership, provided exemplary service, and have made significant contributions to the 
advancement of the Association.

	Campbell retired as Florida State Veterinarian in 1991 after 38 years of service in that 
position -- the longest that anyone in any state has served in that capacity.  McCapes retired from 
the faculty of the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, in 1994.  His career 
has also included service in the U.S. Army, private and corporate veterinary medical poultry practice 
and ownership in an international turkey primary breeding firm.

	Both individuals served as president of USAHA -- Campbell in 1966 and McCapes in 1999.  
McCapes also served as editor of the USAHA Newsletter from 1995 to 2000 and helped develop logos 
currently used by USAHA (1996), the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians 
(1999) and the National Assembly of USAHA (2006).  Campbell was the long-time official 
parliamentarian for USAHA.

	Campbell, a native of Indiana, received his Veterinary Degree from the Ohio State University 
in 1945.  Through his leadership as Florida State Veterinarian, cattle fever ticks and screwworms were 
eradicated from Florida in the early 1960's.  In 1972, both hog cholera and exotic Newcastle disease 
were eradicated from Florida.  Campbell also worked diligently to eliminate brucellosis from Florida’s 
cattle herds.

	Campbell was the long-time chair of USAHA’s Committee on Infectious Diseases of Horses, 
providing leadership for the successful eradication of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) when that 
disease invaded the United States in 1971.  He also played a key role in the first national efforts to 
prevent and control equine infectious anemia.  In addition to his equine interests, he contributed to the 
work of USAHA committees on hog cholera, brucellosis, screwworms, tuberculosis, government 
relations, foreign animal diseases and parasitic diseases. 

	Among his many awards over the years was the Veterinarian of the Year Award from the 
Florida Veterinary Medical Association and the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida 
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

	McCapes grew up in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and received his DVM degree in 1958 from the 
University of California at Davis.  He was one of 28 veterinarians selected for inclusion in the 1996 book, 
“Veterinary Conversations With Mid-Twentieth Century Leaders,” by Ole H. Viking Stalheim.

	McCapes was a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Advisory Committee 
on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases from 1991 to 1996, serving as chair 1995-96.  He served on the 
Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 1988 to 
1992, chairing that committee 1991-92.  McCapes was chair of the USAHA Committee on Transmissible 
Diseases of Poultry and Other Avian Species from 1986 to 1993.  Other USAHA committee assignments 
included feed safety, salmonella, salmonella enteritidis, epizootic attack and public relations.  In 2003, 
he served as chair of a special committee to review USAHA’s long-range plan.

	McCapes’ awards include the USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 
Service Award in 1985 for his work in the eradication of avian influenza from Pennsylvania and Virginia.  
In 1994, he received the FDA Commissioner’s Special Citation Award for his efforts on salmonella.  
Organizations he has been involved with include the American Association of Avian Pathologists (president 
1978-79); National Academy of Practice in Veterinary Medicine (elected as Distinguished Practitioner, avian 
medicine); National Poultry Improvement Plan; National Turkey Federation; Pacific Egg and Poultry 
Association; and the California Poultry Improvement Advisory Board.  
	
	“When we reviewed the nominations for this new medal, it was obvious that these two men stood out 
from the rest,” Marsh said.  “USAHA owes a debt of gratitude to both of them for their past work toward the 
goals of our Association,” he continued.  “We hope these medals will help recognize their leadership and 
service and will serve as a small token of our thanks for a job well done.” 

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