Bridgewater, NJ – January 27, 2022. Melissa Entrekin, LVT, VTS (ECC) is the 2021 Veterinary Technician of the Year, the National Association of Veterinary Technician in America (NAVTA) announced today.
NAVTA’s Veterinary Technician of the Year award is presented to a NAVTA member who has provided leadership and contributed to the association and the overall betterment of the industry. All NAVTA members are able to nominate a fellow member for this award.
Entrekin, who is a Veterinary Technology Instructor at Piedmont Technical College in South Carolina, has been a NAVTA member since 2013. She is a dedicated Licensed Veterinary Technician, and a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care (ECC). She has 22 years of clinical experience in ECC and more than five years of experience as a Veterinary Technician Educator.
“I am extremely humbled to be named the Veterinary Technician of the Year,” Entrekin said. “This is quite an honor and a reflection of the many colleagues who have influenced me throughout my career. I love veterinary technology and am passionate about the career opportunities for veterinary technicians. I am eager to share my knowledge with students and colleagues in the same way that leaders in the industry have done for me.”
In nominating Entrekin, her colleagues wrote:
“She is 100% devoted to our profession. She is not only a vet tech educator full-time, but she spends the majority of her free time advocating for LVTs in the state. She drives several hours to attend veterinary board meetings as a rep for NAVTA and as the President of the state Veterinary Technician association. There isn’t a day that goes by that she isn’t doing something to benefit and advance the profession.”
In assessing the nomination, the NAVTA judges noted Entrekin’s positive impact when testifying at several state Veterinary Medical Board meetings. The judges also noted her high level of engagement in her state Veterinary Technician association as President, and in NAVTA as a District Representative and committee member.
“Melissa is a great role model for Veterinary Technicians,” said NAVTA President Ashli Selke, RVT, CVT. “She clearly has a lot of energy, is highly motivated, and gets great results. NAVTA congratulates Melissa and thanks her for the great example she is setting.”
About NAVTA
NAVTA is a US-based not-for-profit membership community of more than 8,500 Credentialed Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, and other veterinary support staff involved in veterinary care. NAVTA advances the profession of veterinary technology and veterinary nursing through its advocacy and awareness programs, and by providing continuing professional development opportunities. NAVTA supports the veterinary technology and veterinary nursing profession with a host of programs and benefits, available at https://navta.net/membership/