The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) presented its 2022 Sage Kester “Beyond the Call” Award to Nathaniel A. White II, DVM, MS, DACVS for his history of accomplishment and stalwart dedication to the betterment of horse health, the veterinary profession and the equine industry. 

The “Beyond the Call” Award is named in honor of its first recipient, the late Wayne O. “Sage” Kester, DVM, and recognizes a current or former AAEP member who has made significant and long-lasting contributions to equine veterinary medicine and the community. Dr. White was recognized Nov. 21 during the President’s Luncheon at the AAEP’s 68th Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas. 

A 1971 veterinary graduate of Cornell University, Dr. White is professor emeritus of equine surgery at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and has served as director of the Equine Disease Communication Center since its establishment in 2016. Dr. White conceptualized the EDCC, which was a key element of the National Equine Health Plan created by a task force chaired by Dr. White. The plan supports the overall health and economic viability of the U.S. equine industry through access to resources and communications needed to optimize infectious disease mitigation and prevention. 

Dr. White was also instrumental in the creation of The Foundation for the Horse and served as longtime chair of the AAEP’s charitable arm that has distributed more than $9 million since 1994 to improve the welfare of horses.  

Beyond his diligence in bringing the concepts of the EDCC and The Foundation to reality, Dr. White’s distinguished 40-year legacy of volunteer service to the AAEP includes participation on 28 different councils, committees and task forces, eight of which he served as chair. In addition, he served two terms on the board of directors, including as president in 2010; volunteered with the AAEP On Call program from 1994–2000.  

Dr. White is a past president of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and his research has expanded knowledge in the areas of ischemia-reperfusion injury, epidemiology of colic, abdominal and orthopedic surgery, and treatment of orthopedic diseases. Dr. White’s career of discovery was celebrated when he was selected to deliver the AAEP’s 2006 Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture on the topic of colic. 

Dr. White’s additional accolades include the 1999 Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence, 2004 AAEP Distinguished Service Award, 2005 Virginia VMA Distinguished Virginia Veterinarian Award, 2007 Virginia Horse Council Special Recognition Award, 2015 AAEP Distinguished Life Member Award, 2016 AAEP President’s Award, and 2016 ACVS Al and Carolyn Schiller Distinguished Service Award. 

About AAEP 

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.