Dr. Patricia Haines of Xenia has been named the 2021 Ohio Veterinarian of the Year by outgoing OVMA President Dr. Ed Biggie. The award, presented at a special ceremony during the annual Midwest Veterinary Conference (MVC), is the Association’s highest honor, given to one individual whose contributions have had a positive impact on the profession.
“Dr. Haines serves without fanfare or expectation,” Dr. Biggie said in presenting the award. “She embodies the qualities we aspire to be, not just as veterinarians, but as people.”
A graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Haines served as OVMA President in 2013. Her lifelong passion for breeding and showing dogs led her to serve as a board member of the American Kennel Club and on several local and national committees. As a gubernatorial appointment to Ohio’s Commercial Dog Breeding Advisory Board, Dr. Haines played a lead role in formulating thoughtful, scientifically based laws governing commercial breeders. She practices small animal medicine at Pony Express Veterinary Hospital in Xenia.
At the Association’s annual membership meeting, Dr. Biggie reflected on his year as president and highlighted the Association’s accomplishments—most notably, the formation of the OVMA Technician Recruitment & Retention Task Force and the launch of its statewide survey aimed at identifying root causes and solutions to the technician shortage.
As his final presidential act, Dr. Biggie passed the gavel of the OVMA President on to his successor, Dr. Barbara Musolf. She is the seventh woman to hold the position.
“I am honored and privileged to be your new President,” Dr. Musolf said. “I follow in Dr. Biggie’s footsteps, as well as those of many other people whom I admire.”
A 1981 Ohio State graduate, Dr. Musolf previously practiced mixed animal and small animal emergency medicine and was instrumental in establishing a veterinary technology program at Cuyahoga Community College. She currently owns a veterinary relief service in Spencer.
