Chronic Pain in Small Animal Medicine

Steven M. Fox, MS, DVM, MBA, PhD

Dr. Fox is the inaugural recipient of the endowed Dr. Steve Fox Lifetime Achievement Award by the Veterinary Orthopedic Society (2022).

"Criteria for the award includes a lifelong commitment to collaboration amongst research, clinical practice and industry with a significant contribution to the field of veterinary orthopedics and the VOS: including contributions educating countless veterinarians about chronic pain and his work bringing innovative treatments for osteoarthritis to the market."

Experience and diversity are the hallmarks of Dr. Fox's professional background. He has served as President of Securos Surgical for 6 years and is now active as a private consultant for several prominent animal health companies and specialty organizations. Dr. Fox received his MS (nutritional biochemistry) and DVM degrees from the University of Illinois and both MBA (Entrepreneurialism and New Ventures) and PhD (Pain Management) degrees from Massey University in New Zealand. He completed his surgical residency at the University of Florida and practiced in surgical referrals for 15 years.

He has served on the Veterinary Teaching Hospital faculty at Mississippi State University, as product manager at Pioneer Hi-Bred International, senior lecturer in companion animal orthopedic surgery at Massey University, senior veterinary specialist at Pfizer Animal Health, and director of pain management for Novartis Animal Health. Dr. Fox played a key role in the development and launch of both the Rimadyl and Deramax branded NSAIDs. He is a former president of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society, a council member of the Association for Veterinary Orthopedic Research and Education and is a certified small animal surgical specialist in New Zealand. Dr. Fox is an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Illinois, as well as adjunct associate professor at Massey University; advisor to the University of Tennessee Pain Center, founding member of the Companion Animal Pain Management Consortium Leadership Council, and Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management. Dr. Fox has also served as Educational Manager for the Western Veterinary Conference -held annually in Las Vegas NV USA.

He enjoys dual citizenship in the United States and New Zealand. In addition, Dr. Fox has authored more than 80 professional publications, 5 textbooks, 7 textbook chapters, and 2 interactive CD/DVDs. He is a popular international speaker on the subjects of pain management, musculoskeletal diseases and excellence in speaking.

Before beginning his career in veterinary medicine, he graduated with a BS degree in mechanical engineering from the US Naval Academy and flew more than 300 combat missions as a naval aviator in Vietnam, flying the A6 Intruder; while serving concurrently as Officer of the Deck aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN-65).