[March 31, 2016; Kennett Square, PA] – PennAg Industries Association honored Penn Vet’s Dr. Sherrill Davison, Associate Professor of Avian Medicine and Pathology, with the PennAg Distinguished Service Award for outstanding accomplishments in the agriculture industry.
Davison, also Director of the Laboratory of Avian Medicine and Pathology at New Bolton Center, received the award at the Annual PennAg Spring Banquet on March 30. Davison also serves as Penn Vet’s Agriculture Spokesperson, and previously was the Resident Director of the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS) at New Bolton Center.
The Distinguished Service Award, the Association’s highest acknowledgement of achievement, is presented each year to one industry and one non-industry recipient at the annual convention.
The non-industry award, won by Davison, recognizes a person whose achievements have benefited agribusiness. The award for the industry recipient – this year to Jack Conrad, founder and owner of EMM Sales and Service in Lititz, Pa. – is intended to honor lifetime achievement in agribusiness. Association members provide the nominees, and the PennAg Board of Directors chooses the recipients.
“We are honored to recognize the many accomplishments and outstanding efforts these individuals have put forth for the betterment of agribusiness,” said Adrian Robinson, immediate past president of the PennAg Industries Association Board of Directors, who presented the Distinguished Service Awards.
“Providing careers of distinct service to the industry, both Sherrill and Jack have set an exceptional example for others to follow,” Robinson continued. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with both of these outstanding individuals, as PennAg strives to maintain a competitive environment for agribusiness to grow and prosper in Pennsylvania.”
Davison “has provided great leadership throughout her career and continues daily in her work to benefit the agriculture industry,” PennAg said.
“This award is very special to me and I will cherish it forever,” Davison said, thanking PennAg and its board. “I have been very fortunate to work with great people in the Pennsylvania poultry industry and agriculture community.
“I owe a special thanks to my mentor, Dr. Robert Eckroade, for his guidance over the years, and to the staff of the Poultry Laboratory and the other laboratory personnel at New Bolton Center,” Davison continued. “The staff is dedicated to providing timely and accurate laboratory results. They are hardworking and conscientious, and focused on delivering excellent customer service.”
Davison received a B.A. in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) in 1979, her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) in 1983, an M.S. degree in Epidemiology from Penn in 1988, and an M.B.A. from Penn’s Wharton School in 2004. She holds a specialty certificate as a Diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians.
Dr. Davison is the past-President of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) and currently serves as its Secretary Treasurer, in addition to the Secretary Treasurer of PVMA’s insurance company.
Dr. Davison has been active in the American Association of Avian Pathologists and was the chair of the Respiratory Disease Committee. She currently holds a position on the Editorial Board of the American Association of Avian Pathologists’ Avian Diseases Journal.
Over the last 31 years, while at Penn Vet, she has served the Pennsylvania Poultry Federation and PennAg Industries in the following capacities including, but not limited to: Advisor to the Poultry Health Committee; Advisor for Avian Influenza - Disposal Methods and Disinfection; Advisor Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program Committee.
Davison has been integrally involved in the development of the control and prevention programs for avian influenza, Salmonella Enteritidis, vaccinal infectious laryngotracheitis, and Mycoplasma gallisepticum for the Pennsylvania poultry industry.
Her interests and expertise include infectious diseases of poultry and their diagnosis, as well as prevention and control. She has conducted research and published numerous articles on these topics.
She is a volunteer and mentor for the Delaware County 4-H Club and received the 2012 Youth Poultry Award.
Dr. Davison resides with her husband, Hugh, in Chester County, and they have two daughters.
About PennAg Industries Association
PennAg Industries Association is a non-profit, member organization that works to create and maintain an effective, viable, and competitive environment for Pennsylvania Agribusiness to grow and prosper.