The Veterinarian of the Year/Veterinary Deed of the Year

Since 2001, the Finnish Veterinary Association has selected either the Vet of the Year or the Veterinary Deed of the Year as a part of celebrating the World Veterinary Day.

The goal is to promote knowledge of the veterinary work among the public and to strengthen the unity of the profession.

In 2009 Dr Outi Lepistö, PhD, has been nominated the Veterinarian of Year for 2009. Dr Lepistö works as Chief of Environmental Health. The award is given for her outstanding work for the quality and publicity of environmental health, as well as the leadership and management she has displayed within the field.

In 2008 Dr Aila Rauatmaa and Dr Tuija Saari were nominated as veterinarians of the year for 2008 for their work for animal welfare at the municipal level in Kainuu and in Helsinki.

In 2007 Professor Marjatta Snellman of the Helsinki University faculty of Veterinary medicine was nominated for her longstanding work for the development of veterinary diagnostic imagining

In 2006 Professor Hannu Korkeala was nominated as the veterinarian of the year for his work at the Helsinki University Faculty of Food and Environmental Hygiene

In 2005 Dr Aimo Välimäki, municipal veterinary practitioner, was nominated.medicine and defending health aspects in breeding of dogs.

In 2004 Dr Jukka Houttu, a well-known equine specialist, was nominated.

In 2003 a group of researchers of the University of Helsinki were nominated for their work for pig welfare. The group consisted of Hannu Saloniemi PhD, Olli Peltoniemi PhD, Mari Heinonen Phd and Anssi Tast PhD.

In 2002 Dr Riitta Aho PhD was awarded for her work for the profession in changing times.

In 2001 Dr Veikko Tuovinen PhD was nominated for his work for advancing bovine health.