Dr. Ricks is married to Alice, to whom he gives credit for raising two fine sons, Ben and Will. Ben is a fisheries biologist and Will is a wildlife biologist. Alice is a valuable business advisor for Dr. Ricks and the hospital. Numerous pets have owned Dr. Ricks but currently, he is under the direct scrutiny of two rescue cats, Bessie (pictured) and Cyprus. Dr. Ricks loves living and practicing in Roanoke Rapids. He could not imagine living in a better area anywhere in the country especially for raising a family and providing the outdoor experiences he enjoys.

He was selected as Northampton County Forester of the Year in 2005. Planting wildlife and wildflower food plots to increase habitat and food for bluebirds, songbirds, quail, turkeys, rabbits, and deer is an annual commitment of his. Dr. Ricks and Alice are very interested in identifying wildflowers, and documenting their identification and location in photo journals.

EDUCATION:

Oklahoma State University Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (1978) Oklahoma State University Master of Science: Chemistry (1978)

North Carolina State University Bachelor of Science: Animal Science, Poultry Science, Pre-Veterinary Medicine

A visionary, Dr. Ricks enjoys mentoring young people and veterinary professionals alike to achieve their goals. During his career, some of his greatest joys relate to seeing those he has mentored achieve success in their lives.

Dr. Ricks serves on the advisory board of Christian Veterinary Missions and has taken four mission trips to Haiti and Africa to help facilitate the needs of those less fortunate. For over 11 years, Dr. Ricks produced the popular “Pet Pointer” radio and newsprint program where he signed off with “Always Remember, A Healthy Pet is a Happy Pet.” A leader within his profession, Dr. Ricks is a member in good standing of numerous associations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, and the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association. In the recent past, Dr. Ricks served as a Regional Medical Director, where in addition to his medical director responsibilities at the Roanoke Animal Hospital, he mentored and supervised over 50 veterinarians in 6 states.

For 10 years, Dr. Ricks served on the Medical Advisory Board of a premier national veterinary healthcare organization. While serving in that capacity, he was selected as the outstanding veterinarian of the year. An innovator, Dr. Ricks has a modern and progressive practice philosophy that is client centered. He embraces modern technology, has spoken to veterinary groups across the nation, and has held training labs to share his knowledge with others. Dr. Ricks is certified in ultrasound imaging. He is a certified orthopedic surgeon and has had extensive training in cardiology, radiology, internal medicine, and dermatology. Dr. Ricks took a leadership role in a ground breaking national initiative to better address the health needs of senior pets. This has resulted in standardized senior wellness exams for older pets. He has been a noted speaker across the nation on this important initiative. Dr. Ricks especially enjoys caring for dogs and cats as they advance in age and is committed to their care and longevity.