CSU Equine Expert Honored with Life Member Award by American Association of Equine Practitioners

The American Association of Equine Practitioners honored C. Wayne McIlwraith with the Distinguished Life Member award for longtime service to the association during the 55th annual convention in Las Vegas.

Dr. McIlwraith, professor and director of orthopedic research at Colorado State University, was recognized during the annual awards ceremony at the Dec. 8 president’s luncheon.

An AAEP member of more than 30 years, McIlwraith served as AAEP president in 2001 and was a member of the board of directors from 1992 to 1994. He has been chair of the Educational Programs, Research, President’s Advisory, and Professional Conduct and Ethics committees as well as a member of several other committees and task forces. He is the current chair of the Foundation Advisory Committee.

In addition, McIlwraith participates in the AAEP’s On Call Program, which provides veterinary expertise to print and broadcast media during major equine sporting events. McIlwraith has provided “On Call” expertise during the Breeders’ Cup Thoroughbred World Championships since 1995 as well as major Quarter Horse races.

McIlwraith is the director of the Equine Orthopaedic Research Center and holds the Barbara Cox Anthony University Endowed Chair in orthopedics at Colorado State University. The center is part of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at CSU.

In 2009, he was named as a University Distinguished Professor, the highest recognition awarded by the university on a faculty member for outstanding accomplishments in research and scholarship. He is a past president of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Veterinary Orthopedic Society. He is widely recognized as a leader in the field of equine orthopedic surgery and orthopedic research.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its nearly 10,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.
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