Dr. Sharon Center, James Law Professor of Internal Medicine at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine, received the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine’s ACVIM Robert W. Kirk Award for Professional Excellence in June.

The award is presented annually to an ACVIM diplomate with an outstanding career in veterinary medicine who has received national and international recognition for her clinical medical practice, instruction, research or public service.

Center, a specialist in liver disease, received her DVM from the University of California, Davis, and completed a small animal medical and surgical internship and an internal medicine residency at Cornell. She is certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and began practicing veterinary medicine in 1975.

A skilled clinician and researcher, Center has made significant scientific contributions to the field of small animal hepatology over the past three decades. She was recognized as the Outstanding Woman Veterinarian of 2012 by the Association for Women Veterinarians Foundation. Her clinical and research studies have appeared in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, 50 scientific abstracts and 50 book chapters.

Center has taught and mentored many veterinary students and ACVIM diplomates and was awarded the Norden-Pzifer Distinguished Teaching Award. She has served on numerous national association and ACVIM committees. She also serves on several medical, editorial and advisory boards.

“She is quite simply one of the best all-around small animal clinicians on the planet. She is a superlative teacher who fosters the development of both students and veterinarians,” a colleague wrote to the ACVIM.

Center has made significant contributions to her specialty through clinical research, academic expertise, teaching and impact on the veterinary field worldwide.