Congratulations to Gene Steffey, recipient of the 2017 American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA) Career Achievement Award.
Dr. Steffey (VMD, PhD, DACVAA, DECVAA), professor emeritus, has made outstanding contributions to the field of veterinary anesthesia through his groundbreaking research, outstanding teaching and dedicated service to the profession and the school. He is well known for his research describing inhalation anesthetics in animal species, and additional focus in equine anesthetics and safety.
He has authored more than 180 peer reviewed journal articles, 120 of them pertaining to the horse. Steffey is recognized by colleagues as a meticulous researcher who instills a sense of good laboratory practices in his many mentees. A charter Diplomate of the ACVAA, and a founding Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia he has played a key role in advancing anesthesia care globally.
Steffey served on the faculty at the school for 34 years as an anesthesiologist. He was instrumental in developing one of the most highly sought after residency training programs for veterinary anesthesiologists in the world and taught countless numbers of residents, students, graduate students and visiting scholars. Steffey remains active mentoring graduate students and junior faculty at the school and at Colorado State University. He is a favorite speaker haven given more than 120 invited talks, many at international locations. He is credited with significant, life-long contributions to the safe use of an entire class of drugs (inhaled anesthetics).
“Gene’s dedication and devotion to his discipline, in support of his colleagues and our patients, was an exemplar to us all, and his quest for excellence, and his quiet encouragement for us to pursue that same ideal is a legacy that cannot be overlooked or over appreciated,” said John Pascoe, executive associate dean and professor of surgery, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
The ACVAA selected Steffey for this honor based on his accomplishments throughout his distinguished and sustained career that in a fundamental way have advanced the field of veterinary anesthesia and analgesia—contributions that have stood the test of time. The award was presented to him at the ACVAA annual conference on September 15, 2017.