Spring/Summer 2012 Aesculapian Magazine - University of Georgia ...

A new president: Dr. Flynn Nance
Dr. Flynn Nance (BS ’77; MS ’79; DVM ’83) is the new president of the UGA College of Veterinary
Medicine Alumni Association. Dr. Nance, a “triple dawg,” has served as a member and president of
the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine; as president of the Lambda Chapter of Alpha Psi
Professional Veterinary Fraternity; and as president of the fraternity’s alumni society. He co-owns Honey
Creek Veterinary Hospital in Conyers, Ga., with his wife, Dr. Susan Aldridge Nance (DVM ’84).
have always enjoyed being involved in UGA Vet Med Alumni functions, and having the
I opportunity to talk to friends, colleagues, students, faculty and staff members of the College is
something I always look forward to. I agreed to serve as President of the Alumni Association because
I feel the College is only as strong as its weakest link. Having a superb faculty and staff and wellqualified
students aren’t enough to keep us competitive. We also need an active and supportive alumni base, as well as the
proper facilities and financing to get the job done. This profession has been so good to me and my family, and I want to
give back. I look forward to serving during this exciting time of growth for the College, and it is with great anticipation
that I start my tenure as president of the Alumni Board of UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. — Flynn
Why did you decide to become a
veterinarian?
I decided my senior year of high school, upon the advice
of my guidance counselor, to pursue a career in veterinary
medicine and have never regretted the decision. Helping
animals and enriching their owners’ well-being is very
satisfying.
What makes your practice successful?
My wife and I have been fortunate to have many great
clients and employees. We put emphasis on client
education, so that hopefully they understand the
dynamics of their pets’ problems, and staff education so
that we can adequately explain those dynamics.
Why is it important for the College’s
graduates to get involved in the Alumni
Association?
I take great pride in the University and I feel it is
important to be involved in organizations both physically
and financially to ensure that the veterinary field and
especially the College are the best they can be, ensuring
our graduates are equal to or better than any other in the
country. Why shouldn’t UGA have the best veterinary
college in the country? Get involved, donate, and be
proud of veterinary medicine and your alma mater.
What is your involvement with the GRACE
Memorial Foundation?
I got involved with the Grace Memorial Foundation, a
501(c)3 charitable organization, in 2003 by doing an “Ask
the Vet” article in Southern Living when they wrote about
Q&A
the Foundation’s annual fundraiser, Grace’s Birthday
Party, which helps support the College’s G.R.A.C.E. Fund
(that helps clients with demonstrated financial need help
fund medical procedures for their dog). I have been
the president of the Grace Foundation since 2004. We
offer some yearly scholarships, sponsor seeing-eye dogs
(Grace’s owner was blind), give Valentine gifts for pets of
Meals-on-Wheels clients, and several other things. Our
primary fundraiser now is Hawaii Dawg-O, held every
August. Past guest hosts have included Larry Munson,
Loran Smith, Kevin Butler and several other former
football players.
What advice do you have for soon-to-be
alumni of the College?
Practice veterinary medicine with professionalism and
integrity and uphold the traditions that make us one
of the most respected professions. Give something of
yourself back to the field and the College so that they will
continue to be the best they can be.
Photo by Laura Smith