Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia College of
Veterinary Medicine has appointed Dr. Richard Keith Harris, a nationally
recognized leader in pathology and research, as the first holder of the Barry
G. Harmon professorship in veterinary pathology and the new head of the
department of pathology. Harris comes from Wyeth Research in Chazy, N.Y.,
where he was the vice president for bioresources and assistant vice president
for pathology and bioresources. The
Barry G. Harmon professorship in veterinary pathology is an endowed
professorship established by friends and family in memory of Dr. Harmon, the
former head of the department, who passed away in January 2007.
“We are honored to have Dr. Harris join the College of Veterinary Medicine as department head
and as the first holder of the Harmon professorship,” said Dean Sheila W.
Allen. “His talent and experience will contribute to the longstanding tradition
of excellence in pathology teaching, research, and service at UGA, a legacy
sustained in large measure through Dr. Harmon’s leadership.”
Harris brings 32 years of valuable veterinary experience to
the University of
Georgia, including head
veterinary pathologist positions in the United States Air Force and at several
national pharmaceutical corporations. He served as chief of the anatomical
pathology department in the veterinary sciences division at the School of Aerospace Medicine,
and chief of the veterinary pathology division and chairman of the department
of veterinary pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C.,
before retiring at the rank of colonel in 1997. For the last 11 years Harris
held high-level pathology, toxicology, and bioresource positions at G.D. Searle
& Co., Pharmacia Corporation and Wyeth Research. Harris is a member of the
board of governors of the ACVP/STP Coalition for Veterinary Pathology Fellows
and is immediate past president of the American College
of Veterinary Pathologists. He is the recipient of numerous military awards and
earned the 2004 Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Texas A&M
College of Veterinary
Medicine.
In addition to his departmental administrative obligations,
Harris works in cooperation with the two directors in overseeing the Georgia
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories in Athens
and Tifton. These laboratories provide
diagnostic consultation and assistance to practicing veterinarians and animal
health regulatory officials in diagnosing diseases in livestock and companion
animals.
A reception to recognize Harris as the first holder of the
Barry G. Harmon professorship in veterinary pathology will be held in the College of Veterinary Medicine on Monday, Nov. 10.
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Note to editors:
An image of Dr. Keith Harris is available at www.vet.uga.edu/PR/photos.
