Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Robert Silcox
Hickory Veterinary Hospital
Robert D. Silcox, DVM, was presented with the prestigious Maryland Veterinary Medical Association (MDVMA) Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is given to a Maryland veterinarian for demonstrating a lifetime of significant contribution and selfless dedication to veterinary medicine, the health and welfare of animals, and the betterment of the profession through outstanding leadership in the building of strong local and state associations.
Dr. Silcox graduated from Ross University of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. He initially worked at Clark Animal Care Center in Penfield, NY then relocated back to his childhood home in Bel Air, MD and became an Associate Doctor at Harford Emergency Veterinary Services from 2001-2005.
In 2004, Dr. Silcox and four other doctors purchased their own practice – Hickory Veterinary Hospital in Forest Hill – where he became Chief of Staff in 2005 and maintains that position to this day.
Dr. Silcox began volunteering at the Harford County Humane Society in 2007 and later joined their board in 2010 eventually serving as President for four years. At the state level, Dr. Silcox has served on the Board of Directors of the MDVMA in various capacities including President in 2015-2016 and currently serves on the Executive Board as a Director at Large.
Mentoring students has become one of Dr. Silcox’s passions. He regularly travels to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine to engage prospective doctors. In addition, he has mentored dozens of high school students from four area high schools who are interested in becoming veterinarians.
Distinguished Maryland Veterinarian
Dr. Richard Street, III
Churchville Veterinary Clinic
Richard P. Streett, III, DVM, was presented with the prestigious Maryland Veterinary Medical Association (MDVMA) Distinguished Maryland Veterinarian Award. The award is given to a Maryland veterinarian in recognition of outstanding leadership, dedication, and continued commitment to the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Streett was born and raised in veterinary medicine, often going on farm calls or watching surgery with his dad, also a veterinarian, when he was young. Dr. Streett has been a veterinarian at Churchville Veterinary Clinic in Churchville since 2001 and became an owner in January 2006.
Dr. Streett has shown strong dedication to not only veterinary medicine, but also leadership in Harford County. He has served on the Harford Community College Board of Trustees since 2016 and is currently the Vice Chairman. Dr. Street is the Next Gen Leadership Council Co-Chair for the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health System.
Dr. Streett has shown extraordinary commitment to the MDVMA since becoming a member in 2000 and when he first joined the board of directors as the Harford County Delegate in 2005. From 2014-2018 he served as Vice President, President-Elect, President, and Immediate Past President and has been a director at large since 2018. Dr. Streett has been the Political Action Committee Chair and a member of the Legislative Committee since 2015. He was also on the search committee for the associate dean of Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 and serves as the Vice Chairman of the Maryland Veterinary Medical Foundation.
Good Doctor Award
Dr. Julie Benson
Greater Annapolis Veterinary Hospital
Julie Benson, DVM, was presented with the esteemed Maryland Veterinary Medical Association (MDVMA) Good Doctor Award. The award is given to a Maryland veterinarian for distinguished service, outstanding leadership, dedicated veterinary medical care and for providing compassion and kindness towards clients, patients and community.
“I want to thank the doctors and staff at Greater Annapolis, who make me a better doctor and a better human,” said Dr. Benson. “I also want to thank my patients and my own pets, who teach me every day.”
Dr. Julie Benson was born and raised in Raleigh, NC. She went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated in 2003 with a B.S. in Biology and minor in Social and Economic Justice. After working as a veterinary technician in Chapel Hill for two years, she went on to earn her DVM from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009 with a focus in small animal medicine.
Dr. Benson is particularly interested in internal medicine, feline medicine, pain management, cardiology, clinical pathology and radiology.
Good Doctor Award
Dr. Dean Tyson
Veterinary Medical Center
Dean Tyson, DVM, was presented with the esteemed Maryland Veterinary Medical Association (MDVMA) Good Doctor Award. The award is given to a Maryland veterinarian for distinguished service, outstanding leadership, dedicated veterinary medical care and for providing compassion and kindness towards clients, patients and community.
Dr. Dean Tyson grew up on a dairy farm in northeastern Maryland and knew at the age of four he wanted to be a veterinarian. He attended the University of Maryland at College Park for undergraduate studies and graduated from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988.
In 1996 Dr. Tyson joined the Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) team and as an owner he helped assemble an exceptionally talented and dedicated team that inspire and amaze him every day. Dr. Tyson enjoys the challenges and rewards of veterinary practice and has a special interest in surgery.
“What I know for sure is that I am living my authentic life,” said Dr. Tyson. “I realize that simply by being authentic, practicing empathic listening, and exploring solutions, I can have a very powerful impact on the people around me.”