Pfizer Animal Health deepens U.S. swine veterinary operations

09-04-2010 | Home | News

Pfizer Animal Health announces that it has promoted one and added four veterinarians to the company’s U.S. swine veterinary operations and services team.

Michael Kuhn, DVM, MBA, has been promoted to manager of swine veterinary operations, while the swine veterinary service team expands with the addition of Lucina Galina, DVM, Ph.D., Douglas King, DVM, Paul Knoernschild, DVM, and Darrell Neuberger, DVM. Their responsibilities will be to offer innovative information about disease and Pfizer’s pork products to veterinarians and swine producers for improvement of animal health.©

Kuhn, in his new role, will support the swine sales force as they work with large swine production systems. After receiving his degree in veterinary medicine from Iowa State University in 1983, he spent many years in a large animal practice in Cascade, Iowa, concentrating mainly on swine. He completed the Executive Veterinary Program at the University of Illinois in 1993 and received his MBA from the University of Iowa in 2004. His technical background is in swine respiratory disease with particular emphasis on swine influenza virus.

Galina will be based in Hendersonville, Tenn., and will be responsible for the eastern United States. Prior to joining the company, Galina held a position with Pig Improvement Company, Inc. where she contributed to the identification of DNA markers used for genetic improvements of traits, such as robustness and survivability. Galina received her degree in veterinary medicine in Mexico City and her Ph.D. in swine medicine from the University of Minnesota. Galina has conducted extensive research in swine respiratory diseases and the genetics of disease resistance.

King will be based in Otley, Iowa, and will respond to the needs of veterinarians and swine producers throughout the Midwest. At the beginning of his career, he worked in private practice for 17 years. Before coming to Pfizer, he was a staff veterinarian for Cargill Pork for 10 years. King received his degree in veterinary medicine from Iowa State University in 1983 and completed the Executive Veterinary Program at the University of Illinois in 2000. His production system experience allowed extensive exposure to prevention strategies, diagnostic interpretation and disease eradication.©

Knoernschild will be based in Plattsmouth, Neb., and will work with producers and veterinarians across the United States. Previously, he held positions at Fort Dodge Animal Health as manager of swine technical services and key account manager. He has also held management positions with Continental Grain and Hubbard Milling, and worked as a swine practitioner in his own private practice for six years. He received his veterinary degree from the University of Missouri in 1978.

Neuberger will work with veterinarians and swine producers in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. As a senior veterinarian, Neuberger will be based in Garner, Iowa. He previously held positions as a key account manager and swine technical service manager at Fort Dodge Animal Health. Neuberger has been a swine practitioner since 1977, practicing at Garner & Ventura Veterinary Clinic in Garner, Iowa. He received his veterinary degree from Iowa State University in 1977 and completed the Executive Veterinary Program at the University of Illinois in 2000.

“We are excited to promote Dr. Kuhn to manager of swine veterinary operations and welcome Dr. Galina, Dr. King, Dr. Knoernschild and Dr. Neuberger as members of our veterinary team,” says Steve Sornsen, DVM, MS, director of swine veterinary services at Pfizer Animal Health. “Dr. Kuhn’s experiences in private practice and with swine respiratory disease add depth to his new leadership role with Pfizer. The combined experience of the new members of our veterinary team in research, private practice and health management will make them excellent additions to our organization.”