Dr. Debbie Hupka-Butz of Earl Grey, and formerly of the Canora area, was elected the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA) president at the association鈥檚 annual general meeting in Regina on September 17.
The daughter of James and Eileen Hupka, who farm on the east side of Good Spirit Lake, she and her husband Kelly operate the veterinary clinic in Earl Grey.
She has been on the SVMA council since 2013 and now as president, she expects to represent Saskatchewan veterinarians at various provincial veterinary meetings including the CVMA (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association} in Niagara Falls in 2016.
Hupka said she now heads the SVMA which is involved with registering member veterinarians, setting and up-holding practice standards, continuing education, professional conduct and discipline, animal welfare, professional wellness and community relations just to mention a few.
Some of the issues for the upcoming year will include contributing to the antimicrobial resistance/stewardship awareness movement by at-tending round table discussions with government and industry stakeholders, Hupka-Butz said. 鈥淥ther issues will include trying to increase our BSE surveillance sub-missions and educating the public through social media.
鈥淭he veterinary profession is self-regulated and it is important that we can give back to this great profession that we are passionate about,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is my belief that no matter what occupation or profession you are in, getting involved and taking your turn to contribute is vitally important. It is an honour and privilege to be the new president of the association.
鈥淚t may be a bit of a learning curve, but I will do my best for the association while protecting public interests. I look forward to the challenges during my year as president,鈥� she said.
Hupka-Butz said that she and her husband have raised a family and established a good business in Earl Grey, while working to be part of the community. However, they have also maintained strong ties to the eastern edge of Good Spirit Lake. Her father, Jim Hupka, founded Sandy Beach Developments when in 1987 he subdivided 28 lots on the quarter section located south of his farm-yard. Kelly and Debbie purchased the development soon afterwards and have since developed another 31 lots in three different areas. With brisk demand, only 13 lots are still available.
Hupka-Butz speaks proudly of growing up on a mixed farm on the east side of Good Spirit Lake and graduating from Canora Composite High school in 1978. For her post secondary education, she at-tended the University of Saskatchewan taking arts and sciences for two years, and then going to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine for four years, graduating in 1984 with a doctor-ate of veterinary medicine degree.
The veterinary clinic in Earl Grey, where they look after both large and small animals, keeps the Butz couple busy, but they find themselves devoting a lot of time to Sandy Beach Re-sort. Earlier in the summer, they designed and opened to the public the first disc golf course in the immediate area.
Debbie and Kelly have three children: Kristen, who graduated with a business degree from the University of Regina, is employed at the Earl Grey Credit Union and with her husband Tom; Matthew, who is in his third year of medical school at the University of Saskatchewan; and Katelyn, who is in her third year of a registered nursing degree program at the University of Saskatchewan.
Debbie says she has always been active in her community, being involved in sports, coaching and offering her time to various local boards and community groups. She has been president of the Earl Grey Credit Union board and the Earl Grey Hall board. She is an avid Rider fan and enjoys travelling, fishing and out-door activities.
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