Dr. William Lumb, former Director of the Surgical Laboratory at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, has received one of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons most prestigious awards, the ACVS Founders’ Award for Career Achievement. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the art and science of veterinary surgery by Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).
Dr. Lumb, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVS, is recognized in veterinary medicine as a pioneer in teaching and instilling cooperative principles in an entire generation of veterinary surgeons, bridging the gap between human and veterinary surgical and anesthesia research. He opened a new career for veterinarians, that of scientific investigator and collaborator in surgical research.
“This College and the veterinary profession were both greatly impacted by the work of Dr. Lumb,” said Dr. Lance Perryman, Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.”Dr. Lumb encouraged the development of the surgeon as a research scientist, and also had a tremendous influence on his graduate students, who in turn changed the practice of veterinary medicine.”
In 1963, Dr. Lumb was appointed Director of the Surgical Laboratory at Colorado State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The facility was the first to combine surgical training with research training in an academic program. As director, he instituted unique graduate programs in surgery and anesthesiology leading to the master’s and doctoral degrees. His concept of interdisciplinary research was innovative for the time.
“Dr. Lumb and his surgical training program laid a large part of the foundation for the fledgling American College of Veterinary Surgeons,” said Dr. Larry R. Bramlage, Chair, ACVS Board of Regents. “His selection for The ACVS Founders’ Award for Career Achievement recognizes this contribution to the ACVS, to veterinary medicine and to his students.”
Dr. Lumb is a Charter Diplomate of the ACVS and was instrumental in forming the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He is a past ACVS President, was editor of the ACVS journal, Veterinary Surgery, and was an initiator of the first ACVS Veterinary Surgical Forum, the predecessor of the Symposium. Dr. Lumb is a Founder Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists.
During his career, Dr. Lumb published 150 scientific journal articles, three books and portions of 10 others. His book, Lumb & Jones Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, has become the standard text for animal anesthesia throughout the world. Dr. Lumb is the recipient of numerous honors and awards.
