CALGARY, AB – Lois Ridgway, a distinguished Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT), has been named the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Canadian RVT of the Year Award for her exceptional contributions to veterinary medicine and unwavering dedication to the profession. With a career spanning over four decades, Lois has left an indelible mark on the veterinary community through her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to excellence.
Lois began her career in 1983 at Prairie Diagnostic Services (PDS) in Saskatchewan as a necropsy technologist. Her remarkable expertise and dedication led her to quickly advance to the position of supervisor of the necropsy facility. In 2017, she was promoted to Assistant Manager for Quality Assurance at PDS, where she played a pivotal role in maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance. Her leadership was instrumental in guiding PDS through rigorous Standards Council of Canada (SCC) ISO 17025 External Audits in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to excellence.
Throughout her career, Lois has been a dynamic leader in the veterinary community. She has held numerous director and liaison positions on boards across the province and country. Her contributions to the Saskatchewan Association of Veterinary Technologists (SAVT) are particularly noteworthy. As president of the SAVT, she guided and led the association multiple times, fostering a welcoming and positive environment. One of her nominators remarked, “She was the board of directors president at the time, but she was so welcoming and positive, she made sure I felt as though I belonged.”
Lois has also been a crucial figure in advancing the relationship between the SAVT and the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA), serving as the SAVT/SVMA Liaison for many years. Her efforts extended to the national level as she held the position of RVTTC Liaison on the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Council. Her extensive involvement in professional associations underscores her dedication to representing the interests of RVTs at both the provincial and national levels.
Her contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous awards. Notable among these are the 1995 Award of Merit from the Saskatchewan Animal Health Technologists Association, the 1996 Recognition of Excellence AHT Teachers Award from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, the 2012 Making a Difference Award from the RVTTC, the 2016 Technologist of the Year Award from the SVMA, and the 2018 Animal Health Mentorship Award presented by Merck Animal Health through the SAVT.
Lois’s commitment to continuous improvement and professional development is evident in her extensive participation in workplace training and professional conferences, including the AAVLD/USAHA Conferences and CVMA Conferences. Her contributions extend beyond her professional accomplishments; she is actively involved in her community, including leadership roles in the South Corman Park Community Association and youth soccer organizations.
Her nominators highlighted her qualities, stating, “Lois is a mentor, an inspiration, and a friend. She deserves this recognition.” Lois’s exemplary achievements, leadership qualities, and dedication to the RVT profession make her an outstanding recipient for the Canadian RVT of the Year Award. Her impact extends far beyond her workplace, leaving a lasting legacy in the veterinary community and inspiring those around her to strive for excellence.
RVTTC extends its warm congratulations to Lois Ridgway on this achievement and thanks her for her decades of contribution and commitment to advancing the RVT profession! This award is presented to a Registered Veterinary Technologist/Technician (RVT) who exemplifies the definition of an outstanding individual in the RVT profession. Nominations are submitted annually from provincial member associations and members of the veterinary community and are reviewed by RVTTC’s Board of Directors. For more information about the Canadian RVT of the Year Award, please visit RVTTC — Awards (rvttcanada.ca)
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada has been a long-standing sponsor of this award, providing an all-expense paid trip to the CVMA Convention and a commemorative plaque. Thank you to Hill’s Pet Nutrition for their ongoing support of RVTs. The award was announced on June 26, 2024 in Calgary, Alberta, and celebrated by attendees of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Award Gala.
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The Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC) is a not-for-profit organization representing the voices of Canadian RVTs on national and international issues. RVTTS’s mission is to unite, advance, and strengthen the Registered Veterinary Technologist and Technician profession across Canada through leadership and advocacy to promote excellence in animal healthcare. To learn more about RVTTC, please visit rvttcanada.ca.
RVTTC Contact:
Cera Youngson
CEO/Executive Director
cyoungson@rvttcanada.ca