Gimme Shelter - School of Veterinary Medicine - Louisiana State ...

Class of 1977 Graduate ReceivesDistinguished Alumnus AwardThe LSU School of Veterinary Medicine awardedthe 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award to Dr.Robert D. “Bob” Simmons (LSU ’77) at its 76thAnnual Conference for Veterinarians and VeterinaryTechnicians on November 10. Dr. Simmons is vicepresident, Global Pharmaceutical Research withSchering-Plough Animal Health Corporation inSummit, N.J. He was a member of the first class ofthe School of Veterinary Medicine, receiving his DVMfrom LSU in 1977. His class is celebrating its thirtiethreunion this year.Dr. Simmons joined Schering-Plough in 1988 asa research program director. He has served in hiscurrent position since 1997. After graduating fromthe SVM, Dr. Simmons first worked as a practicingveterinarian at Bossier Animal Hospital in BossierCity, La. From 1979 to 1988 he worked for BeechamLaboratories in Bristol, Tenn., before joining Schering-Plough. During his career with Schering-Plough,he has been involved in both pharmaceutical andbiological product development.As a vice president with Schering-Plough, Dr.Simmons is responsible for overseeing the researchand development of new pharmaceuticals for animalhealth. He is involved in all aspects ofproduct development, from discoveryto clinical research and drug safety. Hehas been involved in the developmentand approval of many commonly usedproducts in veterinary medicinetoday, such as Clavamox®,Amoxi-Mast®, Mometamax®,Otomax®, Optimmune®,Orbax®, Zubrin®, Nuflor®,Banamine®, Resflor®,M+Pac®, Clinacox, Slice®and Aquaflor®. “Thesedrug introductions haveproven to be very importantcontributions to veterinarymedicine,” said Dr. StephenGaunt (LSU ’77), LSU SVMprofessor of veterinary clinicalpathology, who nominated Dr.Simmons for this award.Dr. Simmons is a memberDean Peter F. Haynes (left) presents Dr. RobertD. “Bob” Simmons with the 2007 DistinguishedAlumnus Award at the LSU SVM’s 76th AnnualConference.of the American Veterinary Medical Associationand several other professional organizations. He isa fellow in the American Academy of VeterinaryPharmacology and Therapeutics and is listed in Who’sWho in Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Simmons is alsoactive in the Bridgewater United Methodist Church,having served as the chairman of the Staff-ParishRelations Committee and as a youth advisor; he iscurrently a member of the Board of Trustees. Hehas served his community as Scoutmaster for BoyScout Troop 46 and is currently a staff member ofOperation Shoebox NJ, a non-profit organization thatcollects, packs and ships items to our troops servingin Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Middle Easterncountries.Dr. Simmons met his wife Julia in 1976, whenshe presented her cat on an emergency call at theSVM. They married in 1979 and are the parents oftwo sons, Will (age 26) and John (age 22). “Bob is atthe height of an exemplary career, serving in a highlevelmanagement position in a worldwide player inthe veterinary pharmaceutical field,” said Dr. Gaunt.“LSU should be very proud of this alumnus!”Dr. Simmons was presented with the DistinguishedAlumnus Award by Dean Peter F. Haynes duringthe Alumni Luncheon at the LSU SVM’s AnnualConference on November 10. Uponreceiving the award, Dr. Simmonsstated, “I would like to thank theSchool of Veterinary Medicine forpresenting me with thiswonderful honor and forthe instruction that theClass of 1977 received,which enabled us togo on and accomplishthe things that wehave achieved. Myappreciation goes out tothe School of VeterinaryMedicine, the staff—someof whom are still heretoday—to the Class of1977, and to my bestfriend, who is also mywife, Julia.”20 La Veterinaire Jan/Feb 2008