Every year, the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association honors the individuals who form the backbone of the state’s veterinary profession. The annual awards ceremony takes place at the Summer Conference. It serves as a profound reminder of why these professionals chose a path dedicated to the bond between humans and animals. This year, the NCVMA spotlight shines on three extraordinary veterinarians whose careers span the full spectrum of medicine—from a rising star to a statesman whose five-decade legacy has shaped the very framework of modern practice.

Together, their stories illustrate the past, present, and bright future of veterinary medicine in North Carolina.

2026 NCVMA Distinguished Veterinarian
Dr. Ronald Komich

While some impacts are measured in months or years, others are carved over decades of unwavering excellence. The NCVMA Distinguished Veterinarian Award is a lifetime achievement honor, recognizing a career defined by profound professional and civic contributions. This year, the NCVMA proudly honors Dr. Ronald Komich, a pillar of the North Carolina veterinary community for over fifty years.

Dr. Komich’s legacy began at the University of Georgia, where he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1967. He then served his country in the United States Army Veterinary Corps from 1966 to 1970. In 1971, he stepped through the doors of Greensboro Veterinary Hospital, Inc.—a practice he would eventually lead as President and Director, dedicating his clinical career to the families and pets of Guilford County.

Dr. Komich’s contributions extend far beyond the exam room; he helped build the structural framework of modern veterinary governance in the state. He has worn nearly every leadership hat available, serving as Past President of the Guilford County, Central Carolina, and North Carolina Veterinary Medical Associations. He lent his early vision as Chairman of the NCVMA Long Range Planning Committee, an Area Director for the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), and as a member of the admissions committee for the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine during its foundational years. Remarkably, his excellence was recognized exactly forty years ago when he was named the 1986 NCVMA Veterinarian of the Year.

For Dr. Komich, retirement was never the finish line. In July 2017, he began his service on the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board, where he championed the modernization of board operations. He spearheaded the transition from archaic paper files to an efficient digital system for board inspections. As the state’s veterinary population boomed by more than 1,000 new doctors, Dr. Komich helped guide the ship—expanding the state’s inspection team from a lone statewide inspector to a robust team of four, while shaping critical modern regulations surrounding telemedicine, facility permits, and continuing education.

Beyond the systems and rules, Dr. Komich’s heart has always been with his peers. He served for years on investigative committees, bringing deep wisdom and fairness to every case. Furthermore, his profound empathy led him to serve as the Board’s liaison to the North Carolina Physicians Health Program, ensuring that colleagues facing mental health and wellness challenges always have a compassionate financial safety net. Dr. Komich remains a true veterinarian’s veterinarian, and a statesman of the highest order.

2026 NCVMA Veterinarian of the Year
April Gessner

Passion, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the human-animal bond are the foundational criteria for the NCVMA Veterinarian of the Year Award. This year’s recipient, Dr. April Gessner, doesn’t just meet these standards—she lives them every single day. Defined by a global heart and a local vision, Dr. Gessner’s mission is simple yet profound: ensuring that every animal, regardless of their owner’s financial or situational circumstances, receives compassionate, high-quality care.

Dr. Gessner’s drive to give back started early in her career. While attending the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, she founded an innovative organization on the island of St. Kitts. The initiative achieved a dual purpose: it allowed veterinary students to gain invaluable hands-on clinical experience while simultaneously providing vital medical care to the pets of local families who needed it most. This early venture sparked a lifelong passion for volunteer work that has since taken her to some of the most impoverished communities across Central America, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.

However, Dr. Gessner realized that the stark gaps in veterinary access she witnessed abroad existed right in her own backyard. Driven to help on a local level, she founded DEGA Mobile Veterinary Care, an organization dedicated to bringing accessible veterinary services directly to underserved communities.

When Western North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene, Dr. Gessner and the DEGA team were on the ground responding to the crisis. In Wake County, she regularly leads street medicine teams to provide care for the pets of unhoused individuals. In Harnett County, she spearheads weekly spay and neuter clinics to address pet overpopulation and wellness. Through her boundless energy, global philanthropy, and innovative local leadership, Dr. Gessner embodies the very best of the profession, serving as a true champion for animals and humans alike.

2026 Young Veterinarian of the Year

Dr. Kaitlyn Boykin

If the Distinguished Veterinarian Award honors a legacy of service, the Young Veterinarian of the Year Award looks directly toward the brilliant future of the profession. Awarded to a practitioner who is five years or less out of veterinary school, it requires outstanding medical acumen, excellent communication, and a dedication to community involvement. Dr. Kaitlyn Boykin has proven that true leadership doesn’t require decades of waiting—it requires courage, humility, and an unrelenting passion for growth.

Since graduating from the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022, Dr. Boykin has distinguished herself at Capeside Animal Hospital. Nominated by her colleague, Dr. Shiela Hanby, Dr. Boykin is celebrated for her unique balance of confidence and self-awareness. She approaches complex clinical cases with rigorous critical thinking, constantly pushing herself to expand her skills. Notably, she has made impressive strides in mastering advanced endoscopy and surgery—areas that require immense technical precision and confidence.

Dr. Boykin’s impact on clients is just as profound. She connects naturally with pet owners, translating complex medical data into clear, compassionate guidance that builds lasting trust.

Her rapid professional maturity did not go unnoticed. In 2025, just three years after graduation, Dr. Boykin was named Medical Director at Capeside Animal Hospital. In this leadership role, she dedicates herself to upholding and elevating the standard of care, fostering a clinical culture rooted in collaboration and continuous improvement. Dr. Boykin represents the bright vanguard of tomorrow’s veterinary medicine.

A Shared Commitment

Though Dr. Gessner, Dr. Komich, and Dr. Boykin stand at different milestones in their respective careers, they share a common thread: an absolute dedication to service, community, and the advancement of veterinary medicine. Through mobile clinics, regulatory modernization, and clinical leadership, these three standard-bearers remind us of the profound impact one individual can make on the lives of animals and the people who love them. North Carolina is incredibly fortunate to call them our own.