The founding CEO of Aratana Therapeutics, who started in veterinary medicine as a bovine veterinarian and today champions women in animal health through the Feather in Her Cap Association, has been named the 2019 winner of the Iron Paw Award.
Linda Rhodes, VMD, Ph.D., will be honored Aug. 26 at the KC Animal Health Corridor’s Homecoming dinner in Kansas City, Missouri.
Corridor President Kimberly Young underscored what she called Dr. Rhodes’ “extraordinary legacy of passion, dedication and contribution to advancing the industry and pioneering change.”
“The annual Homecoming event is one of the most inspiring evenings of Animal Health Week, where we get to celebrate incredible people like Linda who have dramatically shaped our industry,” Young said.
Dr. Rhodes, a 1978 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, serves on the board of directors at Zoetis Inc. and the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs. She also holds a seat on the scientific advisory board of the Michelson Prize and Grants Program. She was Aratana’s founding CEO from 2011 to 2012 and its chief scientific officer from 2012 to 2016.
Dr. Rhodes founded the Feather in Her Cap Association, a non-profit group that recognizes high-achieving women in the animal health industry.
“When some doors seemed closed, I looked for other routes to success and found a path where I could do meaningful work, enjoy being a mother and bring innovation to our industry,” Dr. Rhodes said. “I hope my success will inspire career creativity in others.”
The 2018 Iron Paw Award was presented to Kim Allen, former president of Henry Schein Animal Health’s Commercial Division.
Other Animal Health Week events include the Market Insight Seminar on the afternoon of Aug. 26 and the Animal Health Investment Forum on Aug. 27.