Virginia Tech’s Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) recently recognized Cindy Ingram, of McLean, Virginia, with its Distinguished Service Award.

The award is the highest honor at the center, which is part of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

Ingram, who has been an active member of the center's Advisory Council since 2001 and previously served as co-chair of Virginia Tech’s Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Council, is the fourth recipient.

“Her leadership on the council has continually focused on having the EMC reach financial success while maintaining the academic culture that has been responsible for EMC’s excellent reputation,” said Nathaniel White, professor emeritus of equine surgery, at the award presentation. “Her dedication and active participation provide encouragement for faculty and staff to preserve a standard of excellence and to find solutions to make their own success.”

A native of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and alumna of Michigan State University, Ingram spent 25 years as a sales and marketing executive for IBM in Detroit, Michigan, and Washington, D.C. After leaving IBM, Ingram decided to direct her energies toward a nonprofit organization focused on one of her personal interests.

Ingram, a dedicated horse owner, met Shelley Duke, then a member of Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors, and decided to join Duke on the EMC Advisory Council.

Since then, Ingram has served on the Advisory Council’s Executive Committee and as a volunteer business advisor for the center.

In addition to participating in the EMC’s New Horizons Plan, Ingram is responsible for organizing and financially supporting leadership and communication training by the Sonoma Institute and a business review by the Equine Practice Management Group.

“Cindy’s coaching of EMC directors both past and present in the areas of strategy, business, communications, and public relations has made a huge difference in EMC’s performance and perception in the equine community,” said Richard Gargagliano, director of development at the EMC. “She has also made many contributions of time and energy to help us recruit key faculty, build effective relationships with the college and Virginia Tech administration, and improve the marketing and messaging of EMC’s services.”

In addition to her work with the EMC, Ingram is an advisory board member of Capital TechSearch, a Richmond-based agency that specializes in recruiting informational technology talent and is an avid dressage rider.

The Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center Distinguished Service Award has been presented just four times since its inception in 2007.

It was established to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service and dedication to fulfilling the center’s mission and generously provided resources, leadership, and expertise to help the EMC attain the highest level of achievement in service, teaching, and research.

Previous winners were Shelley Duke in 2007, Beverly “Peggy” Steinman in 2010, and Bertram and Diana Firestone in 2014.

The EMC is a full-service equine hospital in Leesburg, Virginia, that offers advanced specialty care, 24-hour emergency treatment, and diagnostic services for all ages and breeds of horses. Located in the heart of Virginia’s horse country, the center and its equine specialists offer the latest medical technologies and procedures in orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, lameness and farrier services, performance services, reproduction and neonatal services, and dentistry.

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