The New York State Veterinary Medical Society (NYSVMS) held its annual awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Desmond in Albany on December 4. Two college members were awarded notable recognitions this year:

Veterinarian of the Year

Lorin Warnick, D.V.M., Ph.D.'94, DACVPM received the Veterinarian of the Year Award. This award is given to a NYSVMS member who, over the course of many years, served the regional, state society, and veterinary profession in an exemplary and distinguished manner and who is judged by his peers to be the most deserving of the award.

As dean, Warnick has overseen significant advances of the college's teaching, research and service missions since his appointment in 2016. Under his leadership, numerous notable new initiatives have launched, including the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center the Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior,  the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, and the Center for Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship. In addition, he led partnerships with the Cayuga Health System, Weill Cornell Medicine and the Tompkins County Health Department to guide Cornell University's nationally recognized pandemic response efforts. 

Rising Leader

Katherine Vissio, D.V.M.'15, received the Rising Leader Award. This award recognizes a current NYSVMS member who has graduated from veterinary school within the last 15 years. This outstanding member has made a significant professional accomplishments early in her career including public service and volunteer activities that serve to positively reflect upon the veterinary profession, as well as an active role on the regional and/or state level of NYSVMS.

Vissio joined the Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program team at Cornell in 2025 to teach Primary Care Surgery. As a biological anthropology major, Vissio became fascinated with primate behavior while working at the National Zoo, which deepened her interest in animal welfare and ultimately led her to pursue veterinary medicine. She has experience with traditional companion animals and exotic pets from her time in private practice at Briar Patch Veterinary Hospital in Ithaca.

Vissio previously worked with Shelter Outreach Services (SOS) and maintains a strong interest in zoo and wildlife medicine and conservation.