IAOTP names Dr. Dena Lodato top female veterinary surgery trailblazer

The International Association of Top Professionals will honor Dr. Dena Lodato at its December 2026 awards gala in New York City, recognizing her work in veterinary surgery and leadership in the field. The award adds to a growing list of honors for Lodato, who founded Resurge Veterinary Surgical Specialists and Rehabilitation in 2021.

Why it matters: - The award spotlights veterinary surgery leaders and the role of women advancing a specialized field with direct impact on animal care. - The recognition adds national visibility for Dr. Dena Lodato’s practice, her mentorship work and her broader professional profile.

What happened: - The International Association of Top Professionals selected Dr. Dena Lodato as its Top Female Trailblazer of the Year in Veterinary Surgery for 2026. - IAOTP will honor Lodato at its Annual Awards Gala in December 2026 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. - The gala listing is available at IAOTP’s award gala page.

The details: - Dr. Lodato has more than a decade of experience in veterinary medicine. - She is the Founder, Medical Director and Small Animal Surgeon at Resurge Veterinary Surgical Specialists and Rehabilitation, LLC. - Lodato founded Resurge in 2021. - Her specialties include orthopedics, neurosurgery and advanced wound management. - Resurge offers hyperbaric oxygen treatment. - Resurge is the only referral hospital in the region that provides acupuncture for animals and hosts externships for veterinary students. - Lodato began her career at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in 2013. - She later served as Head of the Surgical Department at the Animal Emergency and Referral Center, an affiliate of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, from 2015 to 2016. - Lodato earned Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2015. - After relocating to Louisiana, she worked as an associate surgeon in a surgical referral practice before founding Resurge. - Her work also includes support for rescue organizations, humane societies and animal shelters. - Lodato serves as President of the Florida Parish Veterinary Medical Association.

Between the lines: - IAOTP has already recognized Lodato multiple times, including its Top Veterinary Surgical Specialist Award in 2024 and the Empowered Woman Award. - Her prior honors also include Marquis’ Top Doctors in Veterinary Medicine Award in 2023 and IAOTP’s Executive Choice Award and Bombshell Boss Babe Award. - IAOTP featured Lodato in its book The Top 50 Fearless Leaders, and she appeared on Nasdaq and Planet Hollywood billboards. - The accumulation of awards suggests IAOTP views Lodato as both a clinical specialist and a public-facing leader in veterinary medicine.

What’s next: - Lodato will receive the Trailblazer Award in December 2026 at IAOTP’s gala in New York City. - At the same event, she will also receive IAOTP’s Presidential Award and be recognized among the organization’s Top 25 Global Impact Leaders. - Lodato says she hopes to inspire people entering the field. - More information is available on Resurge Veterinary Surgical Specialists and Rehabilitation and in her video.