Iowa Veterinary Medical Association

10/02/2026

Congratulations to our new IVMA Officers! Last week at our Annual Meeting, Dr. Preston Ayers was swon in as the new IVMA President. Dr. Ayers is a small animal veterinarian at Frey Pet Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

Other officers sworn included Dr. Scott Radke of Boone as IVMA President-Elect and Dr. Chris Bean of Lake View as IVMA Vice-President.

Dr. Aubrey Cordray, who has served this past year as our president will take on the role of Immediate Past President for the upcoming year.

Congratulations to all our new officers!

Photo: (l to r) Dr. Aubrey Cordray, Immediate Past-President; Dr. Preston Ayers, President; Dr. Scott Radke, President Elect; Dr. Chris Bean Vice President.

10/01/2026

Last week at the IVMA Annual Meeting in Ames, we celebrated several outstanding individuals through our annual IVMA Awards.

We are proud to present the 2026 IVMA Veterinarian of the Year Award to a veterinarian whose more than 40-year career has made a lasting impact on animals, clients, colleagues, students and the veterinary profession.

Dr. Dennis Riordan is the third generation of his family to practice veterinary medicine and has spent his career caring for generations of families and their pets in Iowa.

But his work has gone well beyond the traditional veterinary practice. For many years, Dr. Riordan has been part of the veterinary team at Blank Park Zoo, where he has cared for everything from antelopes to zebras.

Throughout his career, he has generously shared his knowledge with other veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students and animal care professionals. But perhaps what stands out most is the way he has cared for the people around him—with kindness, humility, optimism and a willingness to help.

His son Deaglan, now a fourth generation veterinarian himself, says he would not be a veterinarian today if it weren't for his dad showing him what it truly means to be one.

Congratulations, Dr. Dennis Riordan, on receiving the 2026 IVMA Veterinarian of the Year Award! We are proud to celebrate your remarkable career and the lasting impact you have made on veterinary medicine in Iowa.

09/30/2026

Hey, we know this guy! Congratulations, Dr. Wheeler!

CAREER MOVES. Dr. Randy Wheeler, executive director of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, is the recipient of the College of Veterinary Medicine's Switzer Award. Wheeler and other college alumni award recipients will be honored in a pair of celebrations on Friday, Oct. 2, during Iowa State's Homecoming celebration.

09/30/2026

Last week at the IVMA Annual Meeting in Ames, we celebrated several outstanding individuals through our annual IVMA Awards.

Our 2026 Rising Star Award recognizes a veterinarian who is making an impact early in their career through leadership, community involvement and a commitment to the future of veterinary medicine.

This year’s recipient grew up in a family with three generations in veterinary medicine. But before following the family profession, she forged her own path, earning a degree in chemical engineering and building a career in the field. Eventually, she made the decision to return to school, earn her DVM, and come home to Council Bluffs to join the family businesses.

Since then, Dr. Amber Strohbehn has made an impact far beyond her own practice. She has taken on leadership roles in her community, volunteered with humane organizations and vaccination clinics, mentored students interested in veterinary medicine, and become actively involved in the IVMA.

She is already making a difference in her practice, her community and our profession—and we’re excited to see what comes next.

Congratulations, Dr. Amber Strohbehn, on receiving the 2026 IVMA Rising Star Award! 🌟

📸 Dr. Strohbehn receiving the award from IVMA President, Dr. Aubrey Cordray.

09/29/2026

Last week at the IVMA Annual Meeting in Ames, we had the opportunity to celebrate several outstanding individuals through our annual IVMA Awards.

First up is our 2026 Healthcare Team Service Member Award, presented to Gerri Phelps of Indianola Veterinary Clinic. For the past decade, Gerri has played an important role in helping her clinic succeed while making sure the people around her feel supported, appreciated and cared for.

As her nominator shared, “Some people simply do their job well. This person does far more than that, changing lives through their kindness, reliability, and selfless dedication to others.”

We couldn’t agree more. ❤️

Congratulations, Gerri, on receiving the 2026 IVMA Healthcare Team Service Member Award! We’re so glad we could celebrate you and the difference you make every day.

📸 Gerri with her team from Indianola Veterinary Clinic

08/26/2026

Celebrate National Dog Day by scheduling a visit to your dog's veterinarian. Regular checkups are key to a healthy and long life for your best friend!

08/18/2026

Great job, Dr Cordray and Hayes!

Next up in our winner category is the Grand Showmanship award. In an ironic twist this year, our judge, Tyler Krug, was joined in the ring by his son to help select our winners who happened to be a mother-son pair! Congratulations to Dr. Aubrey Cordray representing the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine with her son, Hayes, and their steer Comet!

Dr. Cordray, Kevin, and Hayes are from Humboldt. Hayes will be starting 5th grade soon and he has been showing cattle for 5 years.

Leading up to the show, Hayes said, “I'm excited to show everyone all the hard work Comet and I have put in together, from the early mornings to more baths than I can count. I get to do something fun, help families who need the Ronald McDonald House, and share the experience with my mom, which makes it even more special.”

08/17/2026

We’re bursting with pride!

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. "Comet" won the Showmanship Award at the Iowa State Fair Governor's Charity Steer Show on Saturday. Comet is owned by Hayes Cordray of Humboldt, who is the son of Dr. Aubrey Cordray (DVM '14). Dr. Cordray showed "Comet," who was co-sponsored by the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association.