The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) honored a longtime volunteer leader within the association and strident advocate for the welfare of racehorses and the integrity of racing when presenting the 2020 Distinguished Service Award to Mary Scollay, DVM.
The Distinguished Service Award honors exemplary service to the AAEP or a similar organization to the benefit of the horse, horse industry or profession of equine veterinary medicine. Scollay was recognized December 9 during the AAEP’s 2020 Annual Convention & Trade Show, which was held virtually.
A 1984 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Scollay is currently serving her fourth term on the AAEP’s Racing Committee, having initially joined the committee in 1997. She contributes to racing broadcasts as an AAEP On Call veterinary spokesperson and is co-author of several consequential AAEP white papers on racehorse health and welfare as well as related reference documents for equine veterinarians. Beyond her racing contributions, Scollay also serves on the AAEP’s Professional Conduct & Ethics Committee, and she previously chaired the Infectious Disease Committee and served on the Equine Welfare Committee.
Scollay is executive director and COO of the Lexington, Kentucky-based Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC), which focuses on research, education and advocacy for science-based initiatives that promote the health and safety of racehorses and the integrity of competition. Prior to joining the RMTC in 2019, Scollay spent 11 years as the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s first equine medical director and 13 years as senior association veterinarian at Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park in south Florida. While in Florida, she conceptualized and developed the forerunner to The Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database, to which she has served as a veterinary consultant since its launch in 2008.
“With her unwavering philosophy that the health and welfare of the horse remains paramount above all else, Scollay has provided many years of outstanding service to the veterinary profession, steadfast dedication to the equine industry, and deep commitment to the mission of the AAEP,” said nominator Dr. Patricia Marquis.
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.
