Dr. Marion Hammarlund - DVM 1953

Western Veterinary Conference 2006

Dr. Marion Hammarlund

Dr. Marion Hammarlund, Riverside, Ca., received a 2006 Alumni Recognition Award by the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and its Veterinary Medical Alumni Association. Hammarlund received the honor during the K-State Alumni Reception at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas, Nev., Feb. 20, 2006.

Dr. Hammarlund, who has had a unique career in poultry research and consultation, is a 1953 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Hammarlund, originally from Topeka, Kan., graduated from Topeka High School and studied engineering at K-State before deciding to apply to veterinary school. “I thought I would be an industrial arts teacher, but when I started talking with my friends that were attending the veterinary college at K-State I decided to go there,” Dr. Hammarlund said. While attending K-State, he met his future wife, Margaret, a student who was majoring in home economics.

After graduating from K-State, Dr. Hammarlund opened his own private food animal practice in Windsor, Colo., where he practiced for two years. He did his graduate studies in animal pathology with an emphasis in poultry at Colorado State University.

He said that going into poultry study was a natural choice for him. “At the time the commercial poultry industry was growing and there was a great need for veterinarians to work in poultry.”

In 1957, Dr. Hammarlund began working for Ralston Purina Co. in St. Louis, Mo., as a veterinary pathologist providing technical service for customers around the country. He remembers this as one of the most rewarding times in his career. “I got to travel throughout the United States and it was interesting because the problems I encountered were always unique,” he said.

Dr. Hammarlund moved to Riverside in 1966 to work in poultry disease management for the Arlington Veterinary Laboratories. There he developed vaccinations for poultry diseases such as bronchitis and Newcastle disease. Seven years later he opened his own small animal practice, the Arlington Veterinary Hospital.

After selling his clinic in 1984, Dr. Hammarlund worked for the San Bernardino County Health Department inspecting livestock and pet facilities.

Today he works as a laboratory animal care consultant and as a consultant for poultry production farms. Dr. Hammarlund also fills in as a substitute veterinarian at various veterinary hospitals. He is a volunteer in two humanitarian relief organizations, Heifer International and Winrock International.

His civic involvement includes serving on the board of advisors for Christian Veterinary Mission and he is active in the Riverside-Arlington Kiwanis Club. Dr. Hammarlund was also recently invited to become a member of the board of directors for the new LaSierra University Museum of Natural History in Palm Springs, Calif.