Dr. Frank Walker received NDVMA Veterinarian of the Year award

The North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association (NDVMA) recently named Dr. Frank Walker from New Rockford as the "2021 North Dakota Veterinarian of the Year." Dr. Walker was presented the distinguished award and honored at the NDVMA Annual Meeting held in Medora on August 12-14, 2021.

The NDVMA Veterinarian of the Year Award was established in 1975, to recognize the time and efforts by its members, above and beyond that of normal participation, for the good of the association and/or profession. This prestigious award recognizes those members who have exerted outstanding leadership in building a stronger NDVMA, and contributed significantly to veterinary medicine in North Dakota.

Dr. Walker has served in organized veterinary medicine for decades. He has contributed his time, talent, and expertise by holding several positions on the NDVMA Board of Directors, as well as serving as an important member of multiple committees. Dr. Walker has stressed the importance of never forgetting the organization's necessity to be dedicated to member needs and requests and has helped NDVMA become a reflection of its members.

A longtime supporter of the North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Walker has also been very engaged in legislative issues and is a strong advocate for the advancement of the veterinary profession. He has spent many hours on legislative efforts of the NDVMA, including leaving his work, and traveling to provide legislative testimony on behalf of NDVMA. His dedication to the practice of veterinary medicine has been described as "overarching" since he is consistently a "go to" person, a voice of reason, and an advocate for so many in the profession. He has been described by his colleagues as one who keeps an open mind and takes an all-encompassing look at debate and makes careful decisions.

In addition to his service to NDVMA, Dr. Walker served on the North Dakota Board of Veterinary Examiners from 2002-2014. On a national scale, he served the American Association of Veterinary State Boards as a member of the Board of Directors, including President. He also served on the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, and as a result, is an important resource for issues on veterinary education.

Dr. Walker received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University – College of Veterinary Medicine in 1977 and returned to North Dakota to practice. In 1981, he opened Flickertail Veterinary Service, a mixed animal practice in New Rockford. Currently, he practices as a consultant, but overall, he serves the veterinary profession in a much broader way by helping shape veterinary medicine both in North Dakota and at a national level.