Affiliated groups meet in St. Louis

Forty-five allied and other veterinary-related organizations and 26 alumni groups from colleges and schools of veterinary medicine convened this July at the 148th AVMA Annual Convention in St. Louis.

These groups engaged in a wide varierty of activities during the convention, including lectures, certification examinations, business meetings, workshops, and social gatherings. Many of the organizations co-sponsored the AVMA's educational sessions.

The following pages highlight the activities and honors reported by some of these organizations.

Avian pathologists

Event: American Association of Avian Pathologists meeting, July 16-19, St. Louis
Awards: Special Service Award: Dr. Ching Ching Wu, West Lafayette, Ind., was recognized for her contributions to the field of avian medicine. Dr. Wu, who received her DVM degree from National Taiwan University in 1980 and her doctorate from the University of Minnesota in 1987, is a professor and head of the Bacteriology and Mycology Section in the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University. Her research and diagnostic focus is in the area of infectious diseases, with an emphasis on host and microbial interactions, and the molecular and immunologic detection and differentiation of microbial pathogens. Dr. Wu is known for her research/diagnostic investigation on the pathogenesis and vaccinology of infectious bursal disease and the molecular virology of turkey coronavirus. From 2005-2011, she represented microbiology on the AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents. Phibro Animal Health Excellence in Poultry Research Award: Hyun Lillehoj, PhD, Beltsville, Md., for sustained excellence in poultry disease and health for 20 years or more. Dr. Lillehoj received her doctorate in immunology from Wayne State University in 1979 and is a senior research immunologist in the Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory at the Animal and Natural Resources Institute of the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville. Known for her expertise in avian coccidiosis, she has conducted research that has provided fundamental information on the immunology, genetics, pathogenicity, and molecular biology of the disease and helped to develop new control strategies against it and related diseases such as necrotic enteritis. Dr. Lillehoj has also contributed to the understanding of salmonellosis in poultry and is known for her work on the avian immune system. Bayer-Snoeyenbos New Investigator Award: Michael Day, PhD, Athens, Ga., for research contributions to the field of avian medicine. Dr. Day received his doctorate in microbiology from Miami University in 2004. He is a research scientist at the USDA-ARS Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, where he conducts research on enteric viruses of poultry. Dr. Day has optimized cell culture-based techniques for the isolation of turkey-origin avian rotaviruses and reoviruses directly from field-collected intestinal samples; analyzed avian enteric reoviruses, rotaviruses, astroviruses, and parvoviruses, ensuring the availability of up-to-date molecular diagnostic tests that target viruses currently circulating in the field; and used nucleic acid sequencing technologies to produce an extensive library of turkey gut viral RNA sequences. Lasher-Bottorff Award: Dr. Gregg Cutler, Moorpark, Calif., won this award, given in recognition of an avian diagnostician/technical services veterinarian who has made important contributions to the poultry health program in North America over the past 10 years. A 1974 graduate of the University of California-Davis, Dr. Cutler is a consultant in poultry health, management, and food safety. He is a diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians and a past president of the AAAP, and he represents the AAAP on the AVMA Legislative Advisory Committee. In 2002, Dr. Cutler worked with federal and state officials on controlling and eradicating the low-pathogenic H6N2 avian influenza and exotic Newcastle disease outbreaks in California. Bruce W. Calnek Applied Poultry Research Achievement Award: Dr. Kakambi Nagaraja, St. Paul, Minn., for research contributions resulting directly or indirectly in a measurable, practical impact on the control of one or more major diseases of poultry. Dr. Nagaraja is a 1966 graduate of Mysore Veterinary College and received his doctorate in veterinary microbiology from the University of Minnesota in 1974. A professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Nagaraja mentors graduate students in acquiring the skills to identify etiologic agents, understand their epidemiology and pathogenesis, and develop control and prevention strategies. He uses this approach in his research on salmonellosis, hemorrhagic enteritis, clostridiosis, and infections with ornithobacterium, avian metapneumovirus, Escherichia coli, and turkey coronavirus. Outstanding Field Case and/or Diagnostic Report Award: Dr. Bret Rings, Springdale, Ark. A 1992 graduate of Kansas State University, Dr. Rings is an internal production veterinarian with Cobb-Vantress Inc. He was honored for his report "The toxicity effects of feeding 1-alpha hydroxyl D3 to broiler breeding hens." Dr. Rings is a diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians. P.P. Levine Award, presented to the senior author of the best paper published in Avian Diseases: Robert Silva, PhD, East Lansing, Mich., for "A MEQ-deleted Marek's disease virus cloned as a bacterial artificial chromosome is a highly efficacious vaccine." Dr. Silva received his doctorate in microbiology from the University of Florida in 1975. He is a research microbiologist at the USDA-ARS Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory. Appreciation Award for Excellent Service: Jean Baldwin, Lawrence, Kan. Baldwin was honored for her work as managing editor at Allen Press, the company that publishes Avian Diseases. Reed Rumsey Student Award: Drs. Kabel Robbins, Oskaloosa, Kan., and Ha-jung Roh, Athens, Ga. Dr. Robbins is a 2009 graduate of Kansas State University and a graduate student at North Carolina State University. Dr. Roh is a 2005 graduate of Kangwon National University and a doctoral student at the University of Georgia. Richard B. Rimler Memorial Paper Scholarship: Sachin Kumar, PhD, College Park, Md. Dr. Kumar received his doctorate from the University of Maryland in 2010. L. Dwight Schwartz Travel Scholarship: Daniel Wilson, Lafayette, Ind. Wilson is a fourth-year veterinary student at Purdue University. Arnold S. Rosenwald Student Poster Award: Sarah Tilley, North Carolina State University, won in the category of applied research; and Thomas Denagamage, Pennsylvania State University, won in the category of basic research. Eskelund Preceptorship Award: Caleb J. Palmer, Auburn University; Daniel A. Wilson, Purdue University; Elise A. Myers, University of Guelph; Kevin Maschek, University of Florida; Takumu Niino, University of Pennsylvania; Thomas A. Gaydos, The Ohio State University; and Travis P. Schaal, Oregon State University.
Business: The AAAP board of directors approved a new mission statement that reads: "The AAAP promotes scientific knowledge to enhance the health, well-being, and productivity of poultry to provide safe and abundant food for the world." A new publication, "A Practical Guide for Managing Risk in Poultry Production," debuted at the meeting and is available for purchase online in hard copy and ebook formats at www.aaap.info/biosecurity. The AAAP Foundation announced the start of the new AAAP Foundation Poultry Scholars program, under which up to five student scholarships will be available this fall.
Officials: Drs. Patricia Dunn, University Park, Pa., president; Mark C. Bland, Napa, Calif., president-elect; Charles L. Hofacre, Athens, Ga., secretary-treasurer; Stewart J. Ritchie, Abbotsford, British Columbia, immediate past president; Daniel A. Bautista, Georgetown, Del., Northeast director; Francene Van Sambeek, Cullman, Ala., Southern director; Eric Gingerich, Zionsville, Ind., Central director; Darko Mitevski, Airdrie, Alberta, Western director; and directors-at-large—Drs. Suzanne Dougherty, Huntsville, Ala., and Robert Porter, St. Paul, Minn.
Contact: Janece Bevans-Kerr, Director of Member Services, American Association of Avian Pathologists, 12627 San Jose Blvd., Suite 202, Jacksonville, FL 32223; phone, (904) 425-5735; fax, (281) 664-4744; aaapaaap [dot] info (aaap[at]aaap[dot]info); website, www.aaap.info

Public health veterinarians

Event: American Association of Public Health Veterinarians and National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, joint annual meetings, July 18, St. Louis
Award: AAPHV Student Scholarship: Shequenta Wray, Raleigh, N.C. Wray is a third-year veterinary student at North Carolina State University who was awarded the student scholarship earlier this year. The scholarship enabled her to attend the Student AVMA Symposium at the University of California-Davis in March.
Business: Following last year's approval of the revised AAPHV Bylaws, the AAPHV board of directors was expanded to include the immediate past president and two members-at-large. The AAPHV has improved member services through its Communications Workgroup that involve a Google mailing list, calendar, newsletter, job postings, and website updates. The AAPHV also enhanced its association with allied public health groups, including veterinary students with an interest in public health, through its Outreach Workgroup and the creation of a PowerPoint presentation and brochure about veterinarians in public health. A strategic plan for the AAPHV that outlines values, goals, strategies and performance indicators to cover 2011-2013 will be finalized soon and made available to its membership. The NASPHV announced the recent publication of updates to the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control and the Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settings. The association also recently approved a revision to its constitution and bylaws.
Officials: AAPHV—Drs. Tracy DuVernoy, Silver Spring, Md., president; Millicent Eidson, Albany, N.Y., president-elect; Kendra Stauffer, Gainesville, Fla.., secretary; Louisa Castrodale, Anchorage, Alaska, treasurer; Katherine Feldman, Baltimore, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Drs. Kelly Vest, Odenton, Md., and Adam Langer, Atlanta. NASPHV—Drs. Kristy Bradley, Oklahoma City, Okla., president; Carina Blackmore, Tallahassee, Fla., president-elect; Leslie Tengelsen, Boise, Idaho, secretary; Joni Scheftel, Minneapolis, treasurer; and Faye Sorhage, Trenton, N.J., immediate past president
Contact: AAPHV—Dr. Tracy DuVernoy, President, American Association of Public Health Veterinarians, 9921 Woodburn Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901; phone, (301) 593-6350; fax, (301) 436-2633; aaphvetgmail [dot] com (aaphvet[at]gmail[dot]com); website, www.aaphv.org. NASPHV—Dr. Kristy Bradley, President, National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, c/o Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 N.E. Tenth St., Room 606, Oklahoma City, OK 73117; phone, (405) 271-4060; fax, (405) 271-6680; kristybhealth [dot] ok [dot] gov (kristyb[at]health[dot]ok[dot]gov); website, www.nasphv.org

Senior veterinarians

Event: American Association of Senior Veterinarians meeting, July 18, St. Louis
Business: A logo and motto were selected for the association, which changed its name from the American Association of Retired Veterinarians to the AASrV in 2009. The motto will be "Good for Life." The Internal Revenue Service was officially advised of the termination of the AARV.
Officials: Drs. G.A. 'Bert" Mitchell, Sarasota, Fla., president; Bruce W. Little, Las Vegas, vice president; Everett Macomber, Centralia, Wash., secretary; Bill McEniry, Ashton, Ill., treasurer; Arthur Freeman, Carmel, Ind., immediate past president; Bob Rainier, Fishers, Ind., Eastern region officer; Bob Dietl, Richfield, Minn., Central region officer; and Richard Coon, Forest Grove, Ore., Western region officer
Contact: Dr. G.A. Bert Mitchell, President, American Association of Senior Veterinarians, 5186 Cote du Rhone Way, Sarasota, FL 34238; phone, (941) 921-6426; fax, (941) 923-2640; bert [dot] mitchelltenell [dot] net (bert[dot]mitchell[at]tenell[dot]net); website, www.aasrv.org

Small ruminant practitioners

Event: American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners meeting, July 18, St. Louis
Business: The board of directors agreed to survey members about establishing a specialty for small ruminant practitioners within the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. It was also decided to propose changes to the AASRP Bylaws and submit them to a vote of the membership. The board will review governance of the AASRP and is in the process of revising the policy manual. A Communications/Publications Committee and a Public Relations Committee were established. Immediate past president Dr. Jim Fallen was honored with a plaque of appreciation. Certificates of appreciation were presented to the outgoing board members, Drs. Seyedmehdi Mobini, Joseph Snyder, and Joan D. Rowe.
Officials: Drs. Joan S. Bowen, Wellington, Colo., president; Joan D. Rowe, Davis, Calif., president-elect; William Shulaw, Hilliard, Ohio, secretary; Patty Scharko, Columbia, S.C., treasurer; and Jim Fallen, Albuquerque, N.M., immediate past president
Contact: Dr. Tom Johnson, Executive director, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, 1605 N. Ankeny Blvd., Suite 110, Ankeny, IA 50023; phone, (515) 965-9237; fax, (515) 965-9239; tjohnsonaasrp [dot] org (tjohnson[at]aasrp[dot]org); website, www.aasrp.org

Veterinary toxicologists

Event: American Board of Veterinary Toxicology meeting, July 18, St. Louis
Awards: Service Award: Dr. Gary D. Osweiler, Ames, Iowa, for his leadership and contributions toward advancing the ABVT mission of certification for veterinarians in the specialty of toxicology. A 1966 graduate of Iowa State University, Dr. Osweiler recently retired from ISU, where he served as a professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine and directed the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. He is a diplomate of the ABVT. Veterinary Toxicology Student Paper Competition: First place, sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animal Poison Control Center: Dr. Tiffany M. Patton (WSU '11); second place, sponsored by Lloyd Inc.: Dr. Rebecca S. Sayre (TEX '11)
Business: Dr. Stephen Hooser presented a draft strategic plan that was developed by the Long-Range Planning Committee. The plan will be disseminated for feedback from all the diplomates, discussed at special business meetings in October and March, and finalized at the 2012 annual business meeting.
Officials: Drs. Stephen B. Hooser, West Lafayette, Ind., president; Konnie Plumlee, Gainesville, Mo., vice president; John Tegzes, Pomona, Calif., secretary-treasurer; and J. Wayne Spoo, Pfafftown, N.C., immediate past president
Contact: Dr. John Tegzes, Secretary-Treasurer, American Board of Veterinary Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 E. Second St., Pomona, CA 91766; phone, (909) 469-5652; fax, (909) 469-5635; jtegzeswesternu [dot] edu (jtegzes[at]westernu[dot]edu); website, www.abvt.org

Poultry veterinarians

Event: American College of Poultry Veterinarians meeting, July 16-19, St. Louis
New diplomates: Three new diplomates were welcomed into the ACPV. They are as follows:

Natalie Armour, Athens, Ga.
William A. Parker, Lonoke, Ark.
Kabel Robbins, Oskaloosa, Kan.
Dr. David Fields, Springdale, Ark., was granted honorary diplomate status.

Officials: Drs. Eric Jensen, Hunstville, Ala., president; Karen B. Grogan, Dacula, Ga., secretary-treasurer; and Danny Magee, Brandon, Miss., immediate past president
Contact: Janece Bevans-Kerr, Director of Member Services, American College of Poultry Veterinarians, 12627 San Jose Blvd., Suite 202, Jacksonville, FL 32223; phone, (904) 425-5735; fax, (281) 664-4744; aaapaaap [dot] info (aaap[at]aaap[dot]info); website, www.acpv.info

Veterinary preventive medicine

Event: American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine meeting, July 16, St. Louis
Awards: Distinguished Diplomate Award: Dr. Millicent Eidson, Albany, N.Y., for contributions to veterinary preventive medicine. A 1983 graduate of Colorado State University, Dr. Eidson is acting New York state epidemiologist and associate chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Albany School of Public Health. Earlier in her career, she served as New Mexico state public health veterinarian for more than 10 years. Helwig-Jennings Award: Dr. James H. Wright, Tyler, Texas, for outstanding and unwavering service to the ACVPM. A 1968 graduate of Texas A&M University, Dr. Wright serves as a regional zoonosis veterinarian for the Texas Department of Health. He is a retired Air Force colonel.
Business: The ACVPM decided to revamp the application process for the board certification examination to make it easier for candidates. It also decided to handle dues notices and votes electronically, thereby offering substantial savings.
New diplomates: Forty-one new diplomates were welcomed into the college following successful completion of the certifying examination. The new diplomates are as follows:

William Bosworth, MacDill AFB, Fla.
Helen Engelke, Long Beach, Calif.
Stephanie Fonseca, San Antonio
Clinton George, Aberdeen, N.C.
Elise Gingrich, Fort Collins, Colo.
Scott Goldman, Natick, Mass.
Sharon Grayzel, Portland, Ore.
Paul Grunenwald, Houston
Greg Habing, Bath, Mich.
Clarissa Hackett, Fort Hood, Texas
Karin Hamilton, Saint Paul, Minn.
Nan Hanshaw, Harrisburg, Pa.
Karyn Havas, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
Erin Haverly, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Amy Hille, Portland, Ore.
Cary Honnold, Frederick, Md.
Kari Hunter, Albuquerque, N.M.
Dwayne Jarman, Detroit
Kathy Jorgensen-Massmann, Rockville, Minn.
Julie Kane, Silver Spring, Md.
Jennifer Koeman, Des Moines, Iowa
Charlotte Krugler, Columbia, S.C.
Kerry L. Larson, Waterloo, Iowa
Gregory Laughlin, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Mark Lehman, Atlanta
Craig Lewis, Columbia, Mo.
Jared Madden, Fort Benning, Ga.
Jeffrey McCollum, Atlanta
Michael McCown, San Antonio
Audrey McMillan-Cole, Weston, Fla.
Shelley Mehlenbacher, St. Paul, Minn.
Jeremiah Nelson, Fort Carson, Colo.
Jason Nickell, Shawnee, Kan.
Shari O'Neill, San Francisco
Amy Peterson, Lawrence, Kan.
Colleen Pollock, Airdrie, Alberta
Wade Reaves, Benton, Ark.
Kis Robertson, Washington, D.C.
Kay Steneroden, Fort Collins, Colo.
Kelly Still Brooks, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Shauna Voss, St. Anthony, Minn.

Officials: Drs. Roger Krogwold, Pinkerton, Ohio, president; Mo Salman, Fort Collins, Colo., president-elect; Marianne Ash, Lafayette, Ind., secretary-treasurer; Candace McCall, San Antonio, executive vice president; Margaret Carter, San Antonio, immediate past president; Bruce Burnham, Kirkland AFB, N.M., president of the Specialty of Epidemiology; and councilors—Drs. Beth Karp, Atlanta; Scott Brooks, San Antonio; and Vicki Fogelman, Carson City, Nev.
Contact: Dr. Candace McCall, Executive Vice President, American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, 21510 Fairview Circle, Garden Ridge, TX 78266; phone, (210) 382-5400; evpacvpm [dot] org (evp[at]acvpm[dot]org); website, www.acvpm.org

Laboratory animal practitioners

Event: American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners meeting, July 19, St. Louis
Awards: Excellence in Research Award: Dr. Daniel D. Myers Jr., Ann Arbor, Mich., for accomplishments in cardiovascular research. A 1997 graduate of Tuskegee University, Dr. Myers is assistant professor of vascular surgery/laboratory animal medicine and director of the Jobst Vascular Research Laboratories at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on the contribution that adhesion molecules, tissue factor, and cytokines play during thrombosis. Dr. Myers is a diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine.
Officials: Drs. Mark Suckow, Notre Dame, Ind., president; Christine O'Rourke, Bozeman, Mont., vice president; Judith Daviau, Philadelphia, secretary-treasurer; Lesley Colby, Ann Arbor, Mich., immediate past president; and directors—Drs. Karen Rogers, Ann Arbor, Mich.;, Wanda West, Princeton, N.J.; Christine Parks, Waterloo, Wis.; Susan Harper, Washington, D.C.; Diane McClure, Goleta, Calif.; and Jori Leszczynski, Aurora, Colo.
Contact: Sally Westlake, Association Coordinator, American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners, 9190 Crestwyn Hills Drive, Memphis, TN 38125; phone, (901) 753-8620; fax, (901) 753-0046; sally [dot] westlakeaalas [dot] org (sally[dot]westlake[at]aalas[dot]org); website, www.aslap.org

Veterinary medical association executives

Event: American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives meeting, July 15, St. Louis
Awards: Executive of the Year: Dr. Charles Franz, Montgomery, Ala., for exemplifying the best in association management and continually bringing credit to the profession and the association community. A 1981 graduate of Auburn University, Dr. Franz is executive director of the Alabama VMA, Society for Theriogenology, and American College of Theriogenologists. He served as president of the ASVMAE from 2008-2009. Distinguished Service Award: Emily Kane, Phoenix, for exceptional service to the ASVMAE, demonstrating initiative, integrity, and commitment in serving the veterinary profession and association colleagues. Executive director of the Arizona VMA, Kane is a past president of the ASVMAE. She chairs the ASVMAE Professional Development Committee, serves as editor of the Peer to Peer newsletter, and is the ASVMAE liaison for Vet2011.
Officials: Dr. Janice Trumpeter, Lakewood, Colo., president; Karlene Belyea, Okemos, Mich., president-elect; David Foley, Lexington, Ky., secretary; Dina Michel, Hastings, Neb., treasurer; and Ralph Johnson, Denver, immediate past president
Contact: Dr. Janice Trumpeter, President, American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives, 12575 W. Bayaud Ave., Lakewood, CO 80228; phone, (303) 986-2800, Ext. 430; fax, (303) 986-1700; janice [dot] trumpeteraahanet [dot] org (janice[dot]trumpeter[at]aahanet[dot]org); website, www.vmaexecs.org

Veterinary epidemiologists

Event: American Veterinary Epidemiology Society meeting, July 18, St. Louis Program: Dr. James H. Steele, founder of the AVES, who is known for his contributions to veterinary public health, human public health, and one health. gave a presentation on AVES activities.
Awards: Karl F. Meyer–James H. Steele Gold Headed Cane Award, sponsored by Hartz Mountain Corporation: Drs. Craig N. Carter, Lexington, Ky., and Alex Thiermann, Paris, for advancement of human health through veterinary epidemiology and public health (see JAVMA, Sept. 15, 2011). Honorary diplomas were given to Drs. Timothy Adams, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.; Corrie Brown, Athens, Ga.; Peter Fernandez, Brussels; Michael Gilsdorf, Sykesville, Md.; Paul Grunenwald, Houston; John Thomson, Ames, Iowa; and Eldon Uhlenhopp, Ames, Iowa.
Officials: Drs. Charles Thoen, Ames, Iowa, president; A.K. Eugster, College Station, Texas, vice president; Melinda Fernyhough, Secaucus, N.J., secretary; and George Beran, Ames, Iowa, immediate past president
Contact: Dr. Charles Thoen, President, American Veterinary Epidemiology Society, Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA 50011; phone, (515) 294-7608; fax, (515) 294-8500; cthoeniastate [dot] edu (cthoen[at]iastate[dot]edu)

Veterinary history society

Event: American Veterinary Medical History Society meeting, July 18, St. Louis
Program: President and program chair of the AVMHS, Dr. Russell W. Currier, presided over the meeting. The program featured several speakers, including Dr. Raffaele Roncalli, Milltown, N.J., on "A Short History of Japanese Veterinary Parasitology"; Dr. Ronnie Elmore, Manhattan, Kan., on "Abraham Lincoln Eisenhower: Veterinarian and the President's Uncle"; Dr. Carla Case-McCorvey, Savannah, Ga., on "Case Veterinary Hospital: One Family Caring for Pets in Savannah, Georgia, for Over a Century"; and Dr. Fred J. Born, Fond du Lac, Wis., on "The Early History of the Horse Doctor." The AVMHS booth featured more than 150 18th and 19th century antique veterinary instruments, arranged by AVMHS board member Dr. Fred J. Born. In honor of Vet2011, Dr. Born prepared an 8-foot panel highlighting the founding of the first veterinary schools at Lyon, France, in 1761, and Alfort, near Paris, in 1763. Also featured was a life-size image of Claude Bourgelat, founder of the veterinary school in Lyon, as well as an original 1771 book by Bourgelat, a bronze medallion, and numerous early postcards. A set of seven historical commemorative postcards was available for sale in the AVMA Auxiliary booth.
Awards: J. Fred Smithcors Student Veterinary History Essay Contest, sponsored by Merck & Company: First place ($1,000)—Maite S. Torres, Kansas State University, for "Animals in Space: Reaching for the Stars"; second place ($750)—Bruce Willbrant, Kansas State University, for "The Emergence of Shelter Medicine in Veterinary Education: From Nonexistent to Necessary"; third place ($500)—Suzanne Ford, Oklahoma State University, for "South Carolina's Veterinary School—What Went Wrong?"; and fourth place ($250)—Kimberly L.C. Pescosolido, North Carolina State University, for "Equine Veterinary Medicine from Ancient Times through the Greco-Roman Period"
Business: Dr. Russell W. Currier announced that a third regional history program, associated with the Iowa VMA meeting, was scheduled for Sept. 16 in Ames, Iowa. A $2,000 grant was received from Pfizer Animal Health to produce wooden wall plaques to recognize heritage veterinary practices with more than 50 years of continuous service. Having worked out copyright issues, it was decided to proceed with transcribing and republishing Burt W. Bierer's classic book "American Veterinary History," as proposed by Dr. Currier last year. The AVMHS officially kicked off its Oral History of Veterinary Medicine Program in anticipation of the AVMA's sesquicentennial celebration in 2013.
Officials: Dr. Russell W. Currier, Des Moines, Iowa, president; Dr. Martha A. Littlefield, Baton Rouge, La., president-elect; Susanne K. Whitaker, Ithaca, N.Y., secretary-treasurer; and Dr. Howard H. Erickson, Manhattan, Kan., immediate past president
Contact: Susanne K. Whitaker, Secretary-Treasurer, American Veterinary Medical History Society, 23 Wedgewood Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850; phone, (607) 253-3499; fax, (607) 253-3080; skw2cornell [dot] edu (skw2[at]cornell[dot]edu); website, www.avmhs.org

Veterinary medical colleges

Event: Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, July 17-18, St. Louis
Business: The board of directors approved the North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium's "Roadmap for Veterinary Medical Education in the 21st Century: Responsive, Collaborative, Flexible"
Officials: Drs. Gerhardt Schurig, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, president; Deborah Kochevar, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, president-elect; Stuart Reid, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, secretary; Peter Haynes, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, treasurer; and directors-at-large—Drs. Christian Abee, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; and Alastair Cribb, University of Calgary
Contact: Jeanne Johnson, Communications, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, 1101 Vermont Ave. N.W., Suite 301, Washington, DC 20005; phone, (202) 371-9195, Ext. 144; fax, (202) 842-0773; jjohnsonaavmc [dot] org (jjohnson[at]aavmc[dot]org); website, www.aavmc.org

Women veterinarians

Event: Association for Women Veterinarians Foundation meeting, July 16, St. Louis
Awards: Outstanding Woman Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Renee Poirrier, Lafayette, La. A 1988 graduate of Louisiana State University, Dr. Poirrier owns a small animal practice in Lafayette and serves as director of the Louisiana State Animal Response Team and chair of the Louisiana VMA Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness Committee. She has organized training sessions and led joint exercises with the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to prepare for animal emergencies. During the 2010 Gulf oil spill, Dr. Poirrier coordinated efforts to remove oil from and rehabilitate more than 1,500 animals. Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Isma Gheewala, Karachi, Pakistan, for her efforts and contributions to advance and improve the status of women in veterinary medicine. Dr. Gheewala received her DVM degree in 1987 from the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad, Pakistan. She owns Animal Care Center in Karachi and serves as a consultant for the Karachi Zoo and police canine and mounted units. Vet2011 Award: Dr. Beth Miller, Little Rock, Ark., won this one-time award, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the veterinary profession and formalized veterinary education. A 1986 graduate of Louisiana State University, Dr. Miller works for Heifer International and serves as a consultant on women in developing countries. Vet2011 Student Award: Brook Wilson-Zaja (COR '13), for working to enhance the status of women in the world. Wilson-Zaja is Cornell's delegate for the International Veterinary Students' Association and has visited veterinary universities in Croatia and Slovenia to learn about their veterinary curriculum and professional development.
Officials: Drs. Stacy L. Pritt, Chino Hills, Calif., chair; Michelle A. Kutzler, Corvallis, Ore., secretary; and Elizabeth P. Boynton, Claremont, Calif., treasurer
Contact: Dr. Chris Stone Payne, awards chair, Association of Women Veterinarians Foundation, 55 Mowry Ave., Fremont, CA 94536; phone, (510) 797-2323; DrStonemvvc [dot] com (DrStone[at]mvvc[dot]com); website, womenveterinarians.org

Lesbian and gay association

Event: Lesbian and Gay VMA meeting, July 16, St. Louis
Awards: Achievement Award: Lisa Greenhill, Washington, D.C., and Shane Snowdon, San Francisco. Greenhill is associate executive director for institutional research and diversity at the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. She was honored for organizing the lecture on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues in veterinary education at the 2011 Iverson Bell Symposium and for including LGBT-related questions in the AAVMC-AVMA Diversity Matters Climate Survey. Snowdon is founding director of the University of California-San Francisco Center for LGBT Health and Equality. She was honored for her lecture "LGBT Concerns in Veterinary Education and Practice: A Perspective from Medical Education," given at the 2011 Iverson Bell Symposium. Leadership Award: The LGVMA student chapter at Tuskegee University was honored for creating the first and only LGBT student club at the university and for promoting World AIDS Day 2010 at the School of Veterinary Medicine.
Business: An update was given on the AVMA Congressional Science Fellowship. Allison Gutwillig (WIS '13) reported on her experiences as a volunteer extern at the Elephant Nature Park in Thailand, including information on how Buddhists deal with animal euthanasia.
Officials: Dr. Wayne Hollingshead, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Quebec, president; Lyn T. Garson, Enfield, Conn., vice president; Dr. Karen Hull, Indianapolis, secretary; Dr. Michael Miller, Alameda, Calif., treasurer; Dr. Jennifer Thomas, Royal Oak, Mich., immediate past president; Dr. Ken C. Gorczyca, San Francisco, executive secretary; Allison Gutwillig, Madison, Wis., student representative; Michelle Ardan, Dearborn Heights, Mich., technician representative; and members-at-large—Drs. Ted Eudy, Santa Fe, N.M.; Scott Weber, West Sacramento, Calif.; Nick DePompa, Auburn, Ala.; Michael Chaddock, Washington, D.C.; Daniel Edge, Des Moines, Iowa; Chana Eisenstein, Willits, Calif.; Malcolm Kram, Betterton, Md.; and Terill Udenberg, Vernon, British Columbia
Contact: Dr. Wayne Hollingshead, President, Lesbian and Gay VMA, 1346 Route Lemire, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Quebec, Canada J0A 1H0; phone, (819) 336-5141; whollingsheadme [dot] com (whollingshead[at]me[dot]com); website, lgvma.org

Public Health Service Commissioned Corps veterinarians

Event: Public Health Service Commissioned Corps veterinarians meeting, July 17, St. Louis
Awards: Veterinarian of the Year: Captain Axel Wolff, Bethesda, Md., for his contributions to the mission of the PHS and National Institutes of Health. A 1985 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Dr. Wolff is the director of the Division of Compliance Oversight in the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare at the National Institutes of Health. During the 2005 Hurricane Disaster Relief Mission, he served as team commander for veterinary response and animal recovery. Dr. Wolff is a past chair of the PHS Veterinary Professional Advisory Committee. Junior Veterinarian Officer of the Year: Lieutenant Commander Christa Hale, Atlanta, for her contributions to the mission of the PHS and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A 2000 graduate of the University of Tennessee and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Dr. Hale is training team lead for the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service program, where she is responsible for designing the curriculum and implementing training for early-career field epidemiologists. She recently completed the Preventive Medicine Fellowship with the CDC's Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program and Systems Development Branch—Asia & the Americas, where she served as a veterinary epidemiologist using the one-health concept internationally, including with projects in Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Jordan. Veterinary Responder of the Year: The 2010 Arctic Crossroads Team, comprising Lt. Cmdrs. Mary Anne Duncan, Atlanta; Kevin Greene, Altamont, N.Y.; Stacy Holzbauer, St. Paul, Minn.; and Wanda Wilson, Washington, D.C. The team was honored for its dedication and service under difficult conditions in remote areas of Alaska in August and September 2010. A 1988 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Dr. Duncan is assigned to the Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, where she coordinates a program to assist state health departments to perform assessments after large-scale chemical releases. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she deployed to Louisiana to gather data concerning animal emergency response. A 2002 graduate of Cornell University, Dr. Greene is a public health veterinarian with the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. He also serves as the FSIS' Federal Emergency Management Agency Region II ESF-II representative. A 2002 graduate of Iowa State University, Dr. Holzbauer serves as the CDC career epidemiology field officer at the Minnesota Department of Health. She is a member of the MDH Incident Command and general staff, playing an integral role in the MDH's response to flood events and the 2009 influenza pandemic. Dr. Holzbauer assisted in developing the Veterinary Deployment Guide for the PHS Veterinary Professional Advisory Committee. A 1990 graduate of Tuskegee University, Dr. Wilson is a surveillance epidemiologist with the FSIS. In 2009, she was deployed to Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia for training with the Rapid Deployment Force.
Officials: Capt. Hugh Mainzer, Atlanta, veterinary chief professional officer; and Cmdr. John Gibbins, Cincinnati, chair of the PHS veterinary professional advisory committee
Contact: Commander Casey B. Behravesh, Veterinary Epidemiologist, United States Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road N.E., MS A-38, Atlanta, GA 30333; phone, (404) 639-0367; fax, (404) 639-3535; dlx9cdc [dot] gov (dlx9[at]cdc[dot]gov)