In selecting David Freeman, MVB, Diplomate, ACVS, for the ACVS Founders’ Award for Career Achievement, the ACVS membership recognizes the service of an ACVS Diplomate distinguished by contributions through specialized research, practice leadership, surgical skill, and service to ACVS and the veterinary community.
Dr. Freeman is a true pioneer in veterinary surgery. His accomplishments have contributed an extraordinary amount of internationally recognized knowledge in equine colic and soft tissue surgery that will continue to benefit patients and surgeons for generations. He has authored nearly 500 publications and lectured nationally and internationally. Dr. Freeman has been a highly successful researcher, most recently directing the Island Whirl Equine Colic Research Laboratory at the University of Florida since 2004 and serving as the Appleton Endowed Professor in Equine Surgery.
Dr. Freeman has served in many leadership and administrative roles including chief of large animal surgery and department chair of large animal clinical sciences at the University of Florida. He has served on ACVS committees and has been actively involved in continuing education for ACVS and other conferences. Over the last several years, Dr. Freeman developed and delivered an equine colic short course including a laboratory component that has become internationally renowned and highly sought. He has taught hundreds of veterinary students and numerous graduate students, large animal surgery residents, and interns. Dr. Freeman’s excellence, expertise, and dedication are clear. He is the epitome of a clinician, surgeon, researcher, and teacher.
“Dr. Freeman is a brilliant scientist, a world-class surgeon, and a phenomenal teacher. He has dedicated his life to the advancement of scientific knowledge and techniques of large animal surgery. His experience is matched only by his ingenuity and creativity when it comes to solving surgical problems.”
—Anje Bauck, DCM, PhD, Diplomate, ACVS (Large Animal)