COLUMBUS, OHIO — MARCH 9, 2026 — Dr. Tim Kolb of Delaware has been honored as the 2025 Ohio Veterinarian of the Year. The award was presented by outgoing Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) president Dr. Michelle Harcha during the organization’s annual member business meeting.
The Veterinarian of the Year award, considered the Association’s highest honor, is given to a recognized leader in organized veterinary medicine whose contributions have made a significant, positive impact on the Ohio veterinary community.
“Dr. Kolb has provided distinguished service to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association,” Dr. Harcha said in presenting the award. “He has served his community for many years, exemplifying professionalism, service, and compassion.”
A 1982 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Kolb is a retired small animal veterinarian, practice owner, and former OVMA District 5 Representative. A passionate champion for mental health in the profession, Dr. Kolb sat on the AVMA Committee on Wellness, is a past chair and current member of the OVMA Wellbeing Committee, and has served as both secretary and treasurer of the Ohio Professionals Health Program, an organization that provides confidential mental health and substance abuse support to medical professionals, including veterinarians.
“Through this work,” Dr. Harcha said, “he has been a thoughtful and steadfast advocate for mental health awareness and professional wellbeing within the veterinary profession.”
Outside of OVMA, Dr. Kolb has served on the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board and recently assumed the role of president of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.
“Friends have told me that being recognized by your peers is the greatest honor of all,” Dr. Kolb said in accepting the award. “Throughout my career I have been blessed and privileged to work and serve with incredible veterinary and other professionals, as well as care for a myriad of pets and their owners. I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had to pay forward.”
During the annual meeting, Dr. Harcha also presented the Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Jeanette O’Quin of Commercial Point in recognition of her notable contributions and outstanding volunteer service.
“Dr. O’Quin’s commitment to service, education, and the advancement of our profession embodies the very spirit of this award,” Dr. Harcha said.
A 1993 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. O’Quin is a clinical professor in the college’s Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. At OSU, she developed a core rotation in shelter medicine and surgery—the first required shelter rotation in the country. She also served on the curriculum redesign committee, which developed a new comprehensive program with highly integrated course content and expanded pre-clinical lab work, which will graduate its first class of students this year.
Well known in shelter animal and public health circles, Dr. O’Quin is a longtime member and past chair of the Midwest Veterinary Conference (MVC) planning committees on those topics and is a past president and founding member of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. She was also instrumental in developing the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners’ shelter medicine specialty.
“When you play an active part in things that are larger than yourself, great things can be accomplished,” Dr. O’Quin said upon accepting the award.
Following the awards presentation, Dr. Harcha reflected on her year as president, during which she oversaw the development of a strategic plan to guide the Association into the next three years.
“Serving as President of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life,” Dr. Harcha said. “Over the past year, I have had the privilege of representing you, advocating for our profession, and witnessing firsthand the extraordinary dedication and compassion of veterinarians across the state of Ohio.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Harcha officially passed the gavel of the OVMA president on to Dr. Amanda Wagner. A 2013 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Wagner is a mixed animal practitioner and part-owner at Tri-County Veterinary Service in Anna. She chairs the MVC’s Food Animal Education Committee and is a member of the Upper Valley Career Center Veterinary Science Advisory Committee.
“The OVMA has been an integral part of my career since veterinary school,” Dr. Wagner said, “and I am honored to be your President.”
ABOUT OVMA
The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) is a non-profit trade organization providing services to its members in the areas of continuing education, public outreach, advocacy, and professional resources. Known for hosting the Midwest Veterinary Conference, the fifth-largest veterinary convention in North America, OVMA represents 2,800 veterinarians practicing in various fields and specialties. OVMA’s mission is to advance the veterinary profession through leadership, learning, and advocacy that strengthen Ohio’s veterinary community and enhance the health of animals and people.
