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At the finish line in Nome, Stu Nelson is there to run across the dogs.

We'd like to extend our congratulations to Dr. Stuart Nelson, Jr., Chief Veterinarian for Iditarod.  Dr. Nelson is the recipient of the 2022 American Veterinary Medical Clan Meritorious Service Award. Out of iii finalists for this award, Dr. Nelson was selected.  He volition volition be honored at this year's AVMA Annual Convention in July.

"The AVMA Meritorious Service Honour recognizes an private veterinary who has brought public award and distinction to the veterinarian profession through personal, professional, or community service activities that are conducted outside the telescopic of organized veterinarian medicine or enquiry. The House Advisory Commission will review the applications and forward upward to three candidates to the Executive Board for its consideration."  https://www.avma.org/ProfessionalDevelopment/Awards/Pages/meritorious-service-honour.aspx

As Chief Vet for Iditarod, Dr. Nelson heads upwardly an incredible squad of about 55 veterinarians  plus vet techs and other volunteers who work before, during, and after the race.  The vets work the pre-race vet checks, Millennium Headquarters dog drop, checkpoints from Anchorage to Nome, drug testing, and he even has two pathologists on the team.  This is a well planned programme designed to make certain the dogs of Iditarod are priority one.

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Stu and Race Marshall, Mark Nordman

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At the end line, Stu chats with mushers.

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When a musher arrives in Nome, Stu is at the finish line and can be seen observing and examining the dogs.

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