PIC Health Assurance Veterinarian receives top honor
Dr. Jer Geiger received the American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year Award during the association’s 51st Annual Meeting on March 9th in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 2008, the award recognizes swine industry veterinarians who have demonstrated an unusual degree of proficiency and effectiveness in delivery of veterinary service to their companies and their clients, as well as given tirelessly in service to the AASV and the swine industry.
“There couldn’t be a more deserving person to receive this award,” says Todd Wilken, Director, PIC North America. “Jer’s commitment to the success of producers and the swine industry is always first and foremost in his thoughts and actions.”
Dr. Geiger is product of a small family farm near Alhambra, Illinois, where his family raised purebred Durocs and Holsteins. This upbringing led him to a career in veterinary medicine. With two bachelors of science, a master of science, and a doctor of veterinary medicine all from the University of Illinois, Dr. Geiger worked as a private veterinary practitioner for eight years. Since then, he has served small producers, large producers, and corporate pork production systems in his role as a Health Assurance Veterinarian at PIC for nearly 25 years. He has consulted in more than 20 countries around the globe.
Described by peers and mentees as a true servant leader, Dr. Geiger has provided decades of service to the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV). He represented District 10 on the AASV Board of Directors, volunteered as a member of the Program Planning Committee for three annual meetings, served as a member of the Swine Welfare Committee, and chaired the ad hoc Audit Committee. He represented AASV on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Welfare Committee and helped draft the AVMA euthanasia guidelines as a member of the AVMA’s Panel on Euthanasia Food and Fiber Animals Working Group.
With each day’s motivation to both learn and teach, Dr. Geiger instilled his mantra to many students and early career veterinarians: “What do pigs need? Feed, water, air, and comfort!”
Upon acceptance of the award, Dr. Geiger commented, “This would not happen without the support of a global health team and my family. It means a great deal to us; we are grateful for the recognition.”
Dr. Geiger considers his greatest accomplishment to be his family—his wife Becky, daughter Rachael, son Nick, and Nick’s wife Kaitlynn.
