PVMA 2025 Award Recipients

Veterinarian of the Year:
Coby Richter DVM MS DACVS
DoveLewis

Nominated by Dr. Caryn Reynolds – "As Chief of Staff, Dr. Richter exemplifies true leadership, going far beyond the responsibilities of a medical director to ensure that we uphold our mission for every patient. Her unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care to every patient, no matter the circumstances drives every decision she makes. She serves as the head of surgery and director of safety, taking personal responsibility for patient outcomes and ensuring our hospital meets the highest standards of excellence. Whether she’s on call late at night, leading surgical procedures, or guiding our VECCS and AAHA accreditation processes, Dr. Richter’s dedication never wavers.

Dr. Richter’s leadership philosophy is rooted in a simple yet powerful mantra: "say yes more." She embraces every challenge with relentless determination, supporting her colleagues and ensuring that all voices are heard. Whether it’s through implementing the WHO Surgical Checklist for the surgical suites, she creates an environment that fosters collaboration across departments. The foundation of Dr. Richter’s leadership can be traced back to the values instilled in her as an intern—responsibility, attitude, teamwork, and professionalism. The goals set for her then continue to shape her approach today.

Dr. Richter’s impact extends beyond her technical expertise. She is a mentor, a teacher, and an advocate and great representative of the profession. She leads by example, demonstrating servant leadership in every aspect of her work. Her deep investment in DoveLewis, its patients, and its people makes her an undeniable force for good—one whose passion and tireless work ethic make her a perfect candidate for this prestigious award."

Veterinary Team Member Award:
Alisa Leeper CVT
PCC Veterinary Technician Program

Nominated by Dr. Greg Bishop – "Alisa is one of the lead CVTs at the Portland Community College Veterinary Technology Program. I've worked with her for the past five years while co-instructing a course on surgical nursing. We use live animals in the lab, and have have many students who are nervous about their increased amount of responsibility. Alisa is phenomenally focused on the important aspects of nursing--patient care first and foremost--but she also is intensely dedicated to the student experience.
Her exceptional attention to the animals and the humans is always compassionate, even in stressful situations, and her relentlessly positive and competent attitude is extremely gratifying to work with."

Outstanding Service of the Year Award:
Kelly Bremken MSSW, VSW, CSWA
Oregon Humane Society

Nominated by Dr. Kristi Ellis- presented by Dr. Steve Kochis

“Kelly Bremken is one of just a few veterinary social workers in the US working at an animal shelter, and we are lucky to have her here in Portland at OHS Community Vet Hospital. While Kelly wears many hats, her two main roles are to support pet owners facing difficult situations regarding their pets, and to support the emotional and mental well-being of shelter employees. One of Kelly's best skills is meeting people where they are, without judgment.

I think one of the most challenging roles she faces is helping in animal cruelty investigations. For example, during a large hoarding case, it is hard for most of us not to judge the people involved. When a team arrives to confiscate pets, Kelly is the one who comes in and supports the humans during what is usually a very traumatic event for them. She supports victims of domestic violence, the unhoused, the destitute. She is passionate about what she does, and also seeks to pass on her knowledge to others by speaking at a variety of conferences, including last year's AVMA conference in Austin. I think we could all use more veterinary social workers in our life, and we are blessed to have Kelly as a resource in the Portland area."