Vice President
Nominee Biography: Dr. Lydia F. Gray
Lydia Gray, DVM, MA is a 1994 graduate of the University of Illinois, College of
Veterinary Medicine and also holds a Master of Arts in
Interpersonal/Organizational Communication from the University of Illinois at
Springfield. She resides in Kane County, IL and is the Medical Director/Staff
Veterinarian for SmartPak in Plymouth, MA.
Dr. Gray has a diverse professional background that includes private practice
experience at Tremont Veterinary Clinic in Tremont, IL. She was also a Program
Coordinator at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine where she
designed a two-year, on-campus certificate program in business, communication and
strategic planning for veterinarians and practice managers. She also worked as the
Owner Educator Director for the American Association of Equine Practitioners and then Executive Director of
the Hooved Animal Humane Society before accepting her current position with SmartPak.
Dr. Gray has been very active in organized veterinary medicine. She has served ISVMA as Chair of the
Educational Planning Committee and the Convention Redevelopment Task Force; as a member of the
Human-Animal Bond Committee, Public Education Committee, Legislative Committee, and 2004 Animal
Welfare Task Force; and as a participant in the 1999 ISVMA Strategic Planning Session.
She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and has served the AVMA as the
Coordinator for the Personal and Professional Development Section for the Annual Convention, a speaker
and moderator at multiple convention programs and currently serves on the Council on Communications.
Dr. Gray is also a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and is currently a member
of their Equine Welfare Committee. She has served on their Owner Education Committee and Public
Relations Committees. She was a speaker at their 2004 Annual Convention and has participated in multiple
strategic planning sessions.
Dr Gray has been published in The Horse, Horse Illustrated, Western Horseman, The Quarter Horse
Journal, Paint Horse Journal, Horse Show, Veterinary Economics, Veterinary Practice News, DVM
Newsmagazine, Equine Practice, Canine Practice, Feline Practice, Veterinary Clinical Nutrition, and the
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.
She is a member and competitor in the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), United States
Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the Illinois Dressage and Combined Training Association (IDCTA). In
September 2007, the 2001 bay gelding Newman by Donaudeen o/o Norita *M* by Butow *E*, bred by
Rolling Oaks, owned & ridden by Lydia Gray of Elburn, Illinois received the AA Training Level High
Point Award on September 2, 2007 at Indian Hills Schooling Show in Gilberts, IL. Newman received a
score of 73.91%, 1st Place (Champion) in the Training Level Test 1.
On serving the ISVMA as Vice President:
There's something about organized veterinary medicine that appeals to me. Maybe it's the networking with
colleagues; maybe it's being in-the-loop, maybe it's the knowledge that your efforts are causing change for
the better. Whatever it is, receiving the nomination for vice president of ISVMA (which puts me in line for
the presidency) is an honor and a challenge that I have been working towards for a long time. I feel that my
involvement with the Association since veterinary school provides the knowledge and experience necessary
to serve in this office, while my professional career and other volunteer positions will add spice and variety
to the mix. And who doesn't want a little extra flavor?