Dr. Kenneth Roy Burton - DVM 1981

Central Veterinary Conference 2010

Dr. Kenneth Roy Burton

Dr. Kenneth Roy Burton, D.V.M., Manhattan, Kan., was the recipient of the 2010 Alumni Recognition Award for the Central Veterinary Conference, held in Kansas City, Mo., on Aug. 28, 2010.

Originally from Wichita, Kan., Dr. Burton earned his bachelor’s degree in 1977 and DVM in 1981, both from K-State. After graduation, he worked at the Ralston Veterinary Clinic in Ralston, Neb., for one year. In 1982, he and his wife Joan, moved to Lyons, Kan., where they purchased the Lyons Veterinary Clinic. In 2010, he sold his practice, where he’d been working for 28 years, to move back to Manhattan as a project manager/analyst at the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center.

“It’s quite an honor to be selected for this award,” Dr. Burton said. “This is a wonderful profession and one in which I have had many opportunities. I always try to learn new things and make it a point to celebrate the human-animal bond with my clients. One must never forget how important animals are to their happiness, their family and their livelihood.”

“Dr. Burton is very well-respected in the state of Kansas for his active role in animal health issues and emergency response management,” said Dr. Ralph Richardson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “He has also been active in working with our students at our birthing center at the State Fair in Hutchinson, and he continues to work closely with our college through the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center. We take great pride in honoring his career.”

Dr. Burton has received the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) Presidents Award, KVMA Veterinary Mentor of the Year and 2010 KVMA Veterinarian of the Year. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas Livestock Association, Academy of Rural Veterinarians, American Association of Bovine Practitioners and Academy of Veterinary Consultants.

He has also participated in other multiple professional activities, such as the Kansas Volunteer Veterinary Corp, National Animal Health Emergency Response Corp, Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Command System online study and Basic Agricultural Emergency Response Training.

Dr. Burton and his wife have three children: Kelly and husband, Anthony Arnold; Kristin and husband, Chris White; and Bryce Burton, all of Kansas City. He became a grandfather with the birth of his first grandchild, Graham, this last December. During the mentoring years of his family, Dr. Burton was active in various parts of the Lyons community, as president of the Optimist Club, Rice County Hospital District No. 1 board of directors, and the Lyons Chamber of Commerce board of directors. Dr. Burton also was active in his church in Lyons, serving as an elder and on the board of deacons.