5 minute read
Member Spotlight
from FVMA Advocate Issue 6, 2021
by FVMA
Member Spotlight DON MORGAN, DVM
Dr. Donald Morgan has been an active participant in organized veterinary medicine for over five decades. A pillar in the Florida veterinary community, Dr. Morgan has been a member of the Florida Association of Veterinary Medicine (FVMA) and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) for over 50 years and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) for over 40 years. Dr. Morgan has previously served as president of the FVMA and retired in March as treasurer. Over his tenure with the FVMA, he has seen great growth in the association –crediting the vision of the FVMA’s late executive director, Phil Hinkle, with many of the strides made.
Advertisement
“I’m grateful for Phil’s friendship and guidance of the FVMA,” said Dr. Morgan. “His service and dedication to the Association was incredible, and we miss him dearly.”
In addition to his service on the state and national level, he has served in every office in the Pinellas County Veterinary Medical Association (PCVMA) and coordinated its continuing education meetings. He serves as the editor of the monthly PCVMA Newsletter, and currently is the president of the Pinellas Animal Foundation. Dr. Morgan has also held offices in the Greater Largo Chamber of Commerce and served a term as chairman of that board. He was selected Citizen of the Year for Largo in 1977, was Largo Jaycees President, served on the Largo Medical Center Board of Trustees (a HCA Hospital) for six years and was that board's chairman for three years.
Dr. Morgan (left) is awarded the Distinguished Service Award by Dr. Alex Steverson (right) at the FVMA Annual Conference in 2019.
Image courtesy of FVMA.
Dr. Morgan and late FVMA Executive Director Phil Hi nk l e . I m
a g e cour tesy o f FVMA.
— Dr. Morgan
For his service to veterinary medicine, the FVMA presented Dr. Morgan with the Veterinarian of the Year Award in 2007, the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, two Gold Star Awards, and a Distinguished Service Award in 2019.
“I think organized veterinary medicine is more important today than ever before,” Dr. Morgan said. “Graduates are leaving college with an enormous debt load averaging 160 thousand to 300 thousand dollars, and having difficulty finding a job that will sustain that debt. With veterinary salaries being the lowest of all medical professionals, their debt to income ratio will remain high. Maybe with good mentorship, increased salary levels and more scholarship funding at the college level, we can help new graduates enter into this great profession more easily and be proud of their accomplishments.”
Dr. Morgan (center) is awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Dr. Jan Hasse (left) and Dr. Jerry Shank (right) at the FVMA Annual Conference in 2011.
Image courtesy of FVMA.
Dr. Morgan, student veterinary assistant Sydney Polhemus and patient Leonard.
Image courtesy of Dr. Morgan.
Like so many young people who fell in love with the profession as a child, Dr. Morgan said he was destined to be a veterinarian.
“The seeds of my future profession were planted back in the late eighteen hundreds, with the birth of my father who grew up to graduate from Auburn University in 1924 with a degree in agriculture and animal husbandry. My father worked with farmers during the Great Depression in animal husbandry and on veterinary issues. Growing up in rural Southern Alabama in the 1940’s on a farm ploughed with mules, with an agriculturalist dad who worked to assist farmers with their animals, was the perfect springboard to my becoming a veterinarian. I entered Auburn University in 1958, which by then had become a family tradition, as my older brother studied veterinary medicine and graduated from there in 1952.”
After serving a tour in the Air Force Veterinary Corps, Dr. Morgan settled in St. Petersburg. He credits Dr. Neil Shipman for getting him involved with the PCVMA and FVMA, mentoring him and taking him to his first FVMA conference in Clearwater in 1967. In 1971, Dr. Morgan joined with Dr. Gerald Lee at Bluffs Animal Hospital, Belleair Bluffs, where they formed a partnership that lasted for 33 years until Dr. Lee’s death. Both strong believers in the power of organized veterinary medicine and community, Dr. Morgan wants all veterinary professionals to be the change needed within themselves and their communities.
“I would like to encourage all veterinarians today to get involved in their community; civic clubs, churches, chambers of commerce, PTAs, youth sports and local politics. These are all opportunities where you can meet, network, build your local practices and grow within the community. Today, I am seeing the grandchildren of clients that I saw in our office over 40 years ago. Take the opportunity to meet people, everybody wants to talk to you once they find out you are a veterinarian. What an opportunity you have in this profession.”
Dr. Morgan is married to his wife, Dianne, and has lived in the Belleair/Largo area for nearly 50 years. They have a blended family of five children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. With retirement and downsizing, Dr. Morgan is as busy as ever with something new every day. His hobbies include spending time with his family, gardening, singing in church, watching Tampa Bay Rays Baseball, traveling, dining out and enjoying great wines.
Dr. Morgan, veterinary assistant Julia Rheinsmith and professional groomer Linda Barrie.
Image courtesy of Dr. Morgan.
I would like to encourage all veterinarians today to get involved in their community; civic clubs, churches, chambers of commerce, PTAs, youth sports and local politics... What an opportunity you have in this profession.”
— Dr. Morgan
Dr. Morgan, second from right, and his staff from Bluffs Animal Hospital, Belleair Bluffs, Florida.
