(PRESS RELEASE) OMAHA, NE — Oxbow Animal Health, in conjunction with AEMV, has recognized Dr. Charly Pignon as the recipient of the 2023 Oxbow Exotic Mammal Health (QUEST) Award. Established in 2009, the QUEST is presented annually to an animal health professional who advances the field of exotic mammal medicine and care. Dr. Pignon, who created the Exotic Medicine Service at Alfort National Veterinary School in France, was presented with the award at the 2023 ExoticsCon conference in Boston, MA at a reception in his honor.
“It is our distinct honor to recognize Dr. Charly Pignon with the 2023 Oxbow QUEST Award,” said Dr. Micah Kohles, chief veterinary officer for Oxbow Animal Health (Compana Pet Brands). “Dr. Pignon continues to set an inspiring standard as a surgeon, teacher, lecturer, and innovator in the field of exotic companion mammal medicine. We are honored to recognize him with the 2023 Oxbow QUEST Award.”
“I am deeply honored to have been recognized with the 2023 Oxbow Quest Award,” said Dr. Pignon. “I would not have won this prestigious award without the help of my mentors, colleagues, residents, and interns to whom I owe my career. I thank Oxbow for organizing such an amazing event and supporting our profession every year for so long. When I was young, I dreamed of becoming a vet so that I could treat wild and exotics animals. It was not easy to achieve this goal. But, 40 years later, I received the Oxbow Quest Award. So, everything is possible and I would like to dedicate this award to all the vet students: follow your dream, never give up, and complete your quest!”
Charly Pignon is a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Small Mammal) and a board member of Yaboumba, a French association for continuing education in exotic and wild animals. Charly graduated in 2005 from Alfort National Veterinary School in Maisons-Alfort, France. His veterinary thesis was based on a wildlife conservation project in Cambodia. He then worked at the wildlife rescue center in Alfort and the Paris Zoo (la Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes).
In 2009, Charly completed an exotic animal medicine internship at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and when he returned to France he created the Exotic Medicine Service at Alfort National Veterinary School. Dr. Pignon’s current field of research focuses on ear surgery and orthopedic surgery in small mammals, and blood transfusion in ferrets. Dr. Pignon is also the Immediate Past President (2017-2018) of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians.
The Oxbow Quest Award is based on excellence in one or more of the following areas: exhibiting leadership in the field of exotic mammal health, advancing the understanding of clinical diseases and treatments in exotic mammal pets, promoting the field of exotic mammal medicine, promoting the field of exotic mammal nutrition or providing innovation to the field of exotic mammal medicine. Nominations are made by submitting a CV and letter of recommendation describing the individual and how they exemplify the above qualities. For more information, visit www. oxbowvetconnect.com-.