| Dr. Robert (Bob) Gilpin grew up in a small town in Wyoming and attained a B.S. in Biology in 1964 from Creighton University, in Omaha, Nebraska. He then served in the U.S. Army Engineers from 1964 to 1966. Still searching for his dream, he then attended Washington State University and received his final degree, a DVM from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1970. During Bob’s leadership term, he had several important goals to achieve but the most important was to insure that the WSVMA would be a viable and growing organization in the new millennium. To reach these goals, he recognized the importance of the Executive Vice President, Candice Joy, and gave her his overwhelming support. He, like every president before him, soon learns who is responsible for making the wheels turn in the association, the Executive Vice President. Another of Dr. Gilpin’s visions was to increase the bonding with veterinary students, who are the future members of WSVMA. To achieve this goal, he hosted a reception for veterinary students following the spring executive board meeting and at the Cougar Orientation Leadership Camp for incoming freshmen. He was also present at the White Coat Ceremony for incoming veterinary freshman, the Awards Desert for upper classman, and at the veterinary graduation exercises. In addition, he gave a special welcome and recognition of veterinary students at the annual WSVMA convention. During the routine WSVMA executive board meetings, Dr. Gilpin was an active participant in the WSVMA Veterinary Technician Task Force to upgrade the status of veterinary technicians through adopting new legislative rules. He also worked to update the investment policy in the organization to attain a better return on the accumulated savings. To keep the association viable and relevant to members, Bob also was active in updating the Strategic Planning and Mission statement of the WSVMA. Together with his wife Dr. Paula Gilpin, Bob practices in Olympia, WA at the Boulevard Animal Clinic doing what they love best, working with animals and their enjoying their owners. |
