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Auburn Veterinarian, Surgeon and Researcher Receives K-State Veterinary Medical Alumni Association Recognition Award

Dr. Steven F. Swaim, 1965 graduate of Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, received a 2003 Alumni Recognition Award. K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Alumni Association sponsor the award. The award is given in thanks and acknowledgement of time and effort devoted to advancing the profession of veterinary medicine and for being an exemplary role model for future alumni of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. The awards ceremony took place at the K-State Alumni Reception held in conjunction with the North American Veterinary Conference on Sunday, January 19, in Orlando, Florida.

Dr. Steven Swaim is currently Professor of Small Animal Surgery and Medicine and Senior Scientist in the Scott-Ritchey Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama. He worked in private small-animal practices in Wichita, Kansas and Denver, Colorado as well as serving for two years as Captain in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps at the Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland before finishing his master's in veterinary surgery at Auburn in 1971. He then settled into a distinguished career in academics, research and as a clinician at Auburn.

As Professor of Small Animal Surgery and Medicine and Senior Scientist in the Scott-Ritchey Research Center, Swaim's interests include service and teaching in clinical soft tissue wound management and reconstructive surgery as well as research in these same areas.

Clinical education endeavors for Dr. Swaim have included college of veterinary medicine courses at all levels in small animal veterinary surgery, neurology/neurosurgery, as well as wound management and reconstructive surgery. Continuing education efforts during his career included professional presentations at hundreds of locations nationally and internationally. He has authored and coauthored several books and book chapters. In the early part of his career when working in neurosurgery, he developed the Swaim Spinal Immobilization Plate.

Swaim has continually served on numerous University and College of Veterinary Medicine and Departmental Committees, currently serving as Advisor to the non-profit, self-supporting Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center at Auburn University.

Swaim has been active professionally. He has served as Board Member of the American Canine Sports Medicine Association. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, a member, past board member and past secretary/treasurer of the American Veterinary Neurology Association, a member of the National Board of Advisors of the Christian Veterinary Missions, past Vice President of the Zeta Club of Omega Tau Sigma and was on the Research Committee of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society.

Dr. Steven Swaim has also received numerous professional and research awards including: a Ralston Purina Research Award for Work in Reconstructive Surgery, a SmithKline Beecham Research Excellence Award, the Auburn Alumni Association Undergraduate Teaching Excellence award and the American Animal Hospital Association 1999 Veterinarian of the Year Award.

Active in church organizations, Dr. Swaim is on his church's Men's Retreat Committee, has served as Deacon and is Secretary of the Carpenter's for Christ Committee.

Dr. Swaim grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and near Geuda Springs, Kansas. His wife of 38 years, Marjorie, is from Colby, Kansas. They currently live in Auburn, Alabama where they raised two sons, Thomas and Matthew. Dr. and Mrs. Swaim plan to return to Kansas upon Dr. Swaim's retirement.