Veterinary groups meet in Indianapolis
Forty-five allied and other veterinary-related organizations and 28 alumni groups from colleges and schools of veterinary medicine convened this July at AVMA Convention 2017 in Indianapolis. These groups engaged in a wide variety 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 highlights the activities and honors reported by some of these organizations.
Avian pathologists
Event: American Association of Avian Pathologists Inc. meeting, July 21-25, Indianapolis
Awards: Phibro Animal Health Excellence in Poultry Research Award: Dr. Jim Guy, Raleigh, North Carolina, for sustained excellence in poultry disease and health for 20 years or more. Dr. Guy earned his veterinary degree and his doctorate in comparative and experimental medicine from the University of Tennessee in 1980 and 1984, respectively. He serves as a professor of poultry health management in the Department of Population Health and Pathobiology at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Guy is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists and American College of Poultry Veterinarians. Lasher-Bottorff Award: Dr. Kenton Kreager, Adel, Iowa, 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 1979 graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Kreager worked as senior technical service veterinarian for Hy-Line International prior to his recent retirement. He is an emeritus diplomate of the ACPV. Bayer-Snoeyenbos New Investigator Award: Dr. Rodrigo Gallardo, Davis, California, for research contributions to the field of avian medicine. Dr. Gallardo earned his veterinary degree from the University of Chile in 2004 and his doctorate in poultry molecular virology from the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. He serves as an assistant professor of population health and reproduction at the University of California-Davis. Dr. Gallardo is a diplomate of the ACPV. Outstanding Field Case and/or Diagnostic Report Award: Dr. Jenny Fricke, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. A 2007 graduate of the University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Fricke serves as poultry extension veterinarian at the veterinary college. She is a diplomate of the ACPV. P.P. Levine Award, presented to the senior author of the best paper published in Avian Diseases: Dr. Isabel M. Gimeno, Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Gimeno earned her veterinary degree and her doctorate in veterinary pathology from the Complutense University of Madrid Veterinary School in Spain in 1995 and 1999, respectively. She serves as an associate professor of poultry health management in the Department of Population Health and Pathobiology at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Gimeno is a diplomate of the ACPV and a director-at-large on the AAAP board of directors. Reed Rumsey Student Award: Dr. Mostafa Ghanem, Columbus, Ohio, a 2007 graduate of the Alexandria University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Egypt, and Dr. Manuela Crispo, Turlock, California, a 2013 graduate of the University of Torino Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Italy. Richard B. Rimler Memorial Paper Scholarship: Dr. Ashish Gupta, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Dr. Gupta received his veterinary degree from the Dr. G.C. Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in India. L. Dwight Schwartz Travel Scholarship: Corissa Steimling, Columbus, Ohio. Steimling is a third-year veterinary student at The Ohio State University. Arnold S. Rosenwald Student Poster Award: Gabriela Beltran, Athens, Georgia, won in the category of basic research. Beltran is a graduate research assistant at the University of Georgia. Dr. Claire-Sophie Rimet, Athens, Georgia, won in the category of applied research. Dr. Rimet earned her veterinary degree from VetagroSup College of Veterinary Medicine in France in 2011. Eskelund Preceptorship Award: Anastasia Novy, University of Guelph; Katharine Venters, North Carolina State University; Rayne Ellington-Lawrence, Cornell University; Corissa Steimling, The Ohio State University; Bona Yu, Cornell University; Lisa Tenny, Kansas State University; Meera Chandra, University of Florida; Kayla Kaasa, Iowa State University; Rebecca Remeika, Cornell University; Olivia Murray, Texas A&M University; Meagan Abraham, University of Minnesota; Hailey Quercia, Cornell University; Mary Wald, University of Edinburgh; Holly Renner, Purdue University; Camille Roemhild, Auburn University; and Yi-Chen Tsai, University of California-Davis. AAAP Foundation Poultry Scholarship: Maria Arendt, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Randi Clark, Mississippi State University; Trevor Lee, Auburn University; Lauren McEllen, Cornell University; Lucas Nikel, University of Saskatchewan; Eric Shepherd, University of Georgia; and K. Denise Apperson, Oregon State University. AAAP Foundation Poultry Scholarship: Trevor Lee, Auburn University; Linnea Tracy, University of Pennsylvania; Savannah Thomas, University of Georgia; Abigail Sindt, Iowa State University; Jessica Vande Vorde, Iowa State University; Kayla Kaasa, Iowa State University; and Anastasia Novy, University of Guelph. AAAP Foundation/Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship: Corissa Steimling, The Ohio State University; Katharine Venters, North Carolina State University; Valerie Marcano, University of Georgia; Randi Clark, Mississippi State University; and Vacques Hines, Purdue University
Officials: Drs. John Smith, Baldwin, Georgia, president; Nathaniel Tablante, College Park, Maryland, president-elect; Suzanne Dougherty, Elkmont, Alabama, executive vice president; Hector Cervantes, Watkinsville, Georgia, immediate past president; K.A. (Ton) Schat, Ithaca, New York, Northeast director; Eric Jensen, Huntsville, Alabama, Southern director; Bernard Beckman, Earlham, Iowa, Central director; Rocio Crespo, Puyallup, Washington, Western director; and directors-at-large—Drs. Isabel Gimeno, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Maritza Tamayo, Cuajimulpa, Mexico
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; aaap
aaap [dot] info (aaap[at]aaap[dot]info); www.aaap.info
Food safety and public health, and federal veterinarians
Event: American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians (formed when the American Association of Food Safety Veterinarians and the American Association of Public Health Veterinarians merged) and the National Association of Federal Veterinarians, joint meeting, July 23, Indianapolis
Awards: AAFSPHV Food Safety Veterinarian: Dr. Candace Jacobs, Olympia, Washington. A 1978 graduate of the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Jacobs is the assistant director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Consumer Services Division. She has been instrumental in aligning state-level food safety legislation with the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration's Food Safety Modernization Act. Dr. Jacobs is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. AAFSPHV Public Health Veterinarian: Dr. Katherine Fogelberg, Fort Worth, Texas. A 2008 graduate of the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Fogelberg is the director of quality instruction for the University of North Texas Health Science Center and assistant professor in the university's Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology. Her research focuses on ways to improve the quality of teaching at the university level and the impact animals have on the health of humans. AAFSPHV student scholarship: Dr. Kimberly McMann, a 2017 graduate of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, was honored.
Business: The AAFSPHV president, Dr. Kelly G. Vest, introduced the officials and held a ratifying vote for the continuation of service by Drs. Tom Doker, Aiken, South Carolina, and Candace Jacobs, Olympia, Washington, as director of uniformed services and director-at-large, respectively. The treasurer's report was provided. A call for nominations will be held for the positions of treasurer and director, federal civilian government. The AAFSPHV is seeking volunteers for the outreach, policy, and internet communications work groups and the scientific programs committee. It was announced that the theme of the 2017 United States Animal Health Association food safety symposium, sponsored by the AAFSPHV, will be "Food Safety Risks from Wildlife." Ideas were solicited for the theme of the 2018 AVMA food safety symposium, also being sponsored by the AAFSPHV. Discussions were held on strengthening membership. An update was provided on passage of Resolution 5 by the 2017 AVMA House of Delegates, "Policy on the Veterinarian's Role in Supporting Appropriate Selection and Use of Service, Assistance, and Therapy Animals" (see JAVMA, Sept. 15, 2017). A report on the association's support to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's veterinary student day was presented. The next such event will be held in 2019. Other discussions included the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act and the Meat and Poultry Dialogue, the latter based on a recently released Pew Report. NAFV senior staff veterinarian and the association's delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates, Dr. Michael Gilsdorf, discussed actions taken by the NAFV in response to President Trump's budget proposal and its potential effect on federal veterinarians. He also discussed other legislation that affects federal veterinarians. Dr. Gilsdorf announced that the association has been gaining support from veterinary associations, commodity groups, and congressional members on 2017 AVMA resolutions 6 and 7, adopted by the HOD, on the importance of veterinarians in food safety and of federal veterinarians in emergency response (see JAVMA, Sept. 15, 2017).
Officials: AAFSPHV—Drs. Kelly G. Vest, Odenton, Maryland, president; Jennifer Wishnie, Turnwater, Washington, president-elect; Michele Pfannenstiel, Cumberland, Maine, secretary; Arlene Buchholz, Albuquerque, New Mexico, treasurer; Bonnie Buntain, Tucson, Arizona, AAFSV immediate past president; Millicent Eidson, Albany, New York, AAPHV immediate past president; Eric Willinghan, Delray Beach, Florida, executive vice president and AVMA delegate; and Kristen Obbink, Ames, Iowa, AVMA alternate delegate. NAFV—Drs. Larry Davis, Jackson, Mississippi, president and alternate delegate; Barb Porter-Spalding, Raleigh, North Carolina, president-elect; Deanna Brown, Batesville, Arkansas, secretary-treasurer; Dr. Ken Angel, Jackson, Mississippi, immediate past president; Dr. Michael Gilsdorf, Sykesville, Maryland, AVMA delegate; and John Shaw, Washington, D.C., executive vice president
Contact: AAFSPHV—Dr. Kelly G. Vest, President, American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians, 202 Cannon Place, Odenton, MD 21113; phone, 443-454-3724; kgvest8yahoo [dot] com (kgvest8[at]yahoo[dot]com); www.aafsphv.org. NAFV—Dr. John Shaw, Executive Vice President, National Association of Federal Veterinarians, 1910 Sunderland Place NW, Washington DC 20036; phone, 202-223-4878; jshawnafv [dot] org (jshaw[at]nafv[dot]org); www.nafv.org
Human-animal bond veterinarians
Event: American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians meeting, July 22, Indianapolis
Awards: Student Scholarship Award ($2,000): Kristin Kontogianis, Pullman, Washington, won this award, given in recognition of her involvement with human-animal bond events at her college. Kontogianis is a fourth-year veterinary student at Washington State University.
Business: The association aims to be more inclusive and to expand its membership by welcoming veterinary technicians to become members along with veterinarians, veterinary students, and allied professions. Educational offerings will be increased, and a daylong tract will be organized at VMX (formerly the North American Veterinary Community Conference), the AVMA Convention, and the Western Veterinary Conference. This continues the association's commitment to educating the veterinary profession about the importance of the human-animal bond.
Officials: Drs. G. Timothy Lee, Indianapolis, president; Rod Jouppi, Sudbury, Ontario, president-elect and treasurer; Emily McCobb, Medford, Massachusetts, secretary; and Gregg Takashima, Lake Oswego, Oregon, immediate past president
Contact: Dr. G. Timothy Lee, President, American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians, Brookville Road Animal Hospital, 8049 Brookville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46239; phone, 765-621-0830; lecutter1gmail [dot] com (lecutter1[at]gmail[dot]com); www.aahabv.org
Industry veterinarians
Event: American Association of Industry Veterinarians meeting, July 23, Indianapolis
Program: The association co-organized and participated in a career transitions workshop and lecture series in conjunction with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine's Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine. A networking reception followed the workshop.
Business: The association announced a partnership with Kansas State University-Olathe that is intended to stabilize the administrative platform while providing new opportunities for AAIV members and the animal health industry. Also launched recently is a new website and membership platform.
Officials: Drs. Mia Cary, Greensboro, North Carolina, president; Ellen Lowery, Wamego, Kansas, president-elect; Debra Nickelson, Kansas City, Missouri, secretary; Richard Hartigan, Fredericksburg, Virginia, treasurer; and Cori Gross, Bellevue, Washington, immediate past president
Contact: Dr. Debra Nickelson, Secretary, American Association of Industry Veterinarians, 13800 NW 79th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64152; phone, 602-363-6382; djnickelsongmail [dot] com (djnickelson[at]gmail[dot]com); www.aaivet.org
Veterinary parasitologists
Event: American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists meeting, July 22-25, Indianapolis
Awards: AAVP–Boehringer Ingelheim Distinguished Veterinary Parasitologist Award: Dr. Susan Little, Stillwater, Oklahoma, for outstanding contributions to the advancement of veterinary parasitology. Dr. Little received her veterinary degree from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993 and her doctorate in veterinary parasitology from the University of Georgia in 1996. She is Regents Professor of parasitology and the Krull-Ewing endowed chair in veterinary parasitology at the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. Dr. Little also serves as co-director of the university's National Center for Veterinary Parasitology. Her research focuses on zoonotic parasites and tick-borne diseases. Dr. Little is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (parasitology) and is a past president of the AAVP and Companion Animal Parasite Council. AAVP Distinguished Service Award: William C. Campbell, PhD, North Andover, Massachusetts. A 2015 winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work in developing the antiparasitic drug, avermectin, Dr. Campbell worked for the Merck Institute for Therapeutic Research for more than 30 years after obtaining his doctorate in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1957. During that time, he served as senior scientist and director of assay research and development and conducted his Nobel prize–winning research. After his retirement from industry in 1990, Dr. Campbell became a research fellow at The Charles A. Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, where he remains a research fellow emeritus. The AAVP is establishing the William C. Campbell One Health Award in his honor. AAVP-Merck Outstanding Graduate Student Award: Dr. Brian Herrin, Oklahoma State University, for his work on the geographic distribution of Lyme borreliosis in North America. AAVP-Companion Animal Parasite Council Graduate Student Award in Zoonotic Disease: Sarah G.H. Sapp, University of Georgia, for her work on the zoonotic roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis.
Officials: Dr. Dante S. Zarlenga, Beltsville, Maryland, president; Dr. John Gilleard, Calgary, Alberta, president-elect; Mason Reichard, PhD, Stillwater, vice president; Dr. Doug Carithers, Duluth, Georgia, secretary-treasurer; and Timothy G. Geary, PhD, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, immediate past president
Contact: Dr. Doug Carithers, Secretary-Treasurer, American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists, 3239 Satellite Blvd., Duluth, GA 30096; phone, 678-638-3837; doug [dot] carithersmerial [dot] com (doug[dot]carithers[at]merial[dot]com); www.aavp.org
Animal welfare
Event: American College of Animal Welfare meeting, July 25, Indianapolis
Business: The college has upgraded its member database, hired a professional consultant to enhance its examination process, and conducted its fourth successful short course. A new website, with increased functionality, will be launched by the end of the year.
New diplomates: Four new diplomates were welcomed into the college. They are as follows:
Randy Junge, Columbus, Ohio
Susan Mikota, Hohenwald, Tennessee
Meghann Pierdon, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Rachel Toaff-Rosenstein, Zichron Yaakov, Israel
Officials: Drs. Gail Golab, Sugar Grove, Illinois, president; Barbara Sherman, Raleigh, North Carolina, president-elect; Kathryn Bayne, Frederick, Maryland, secretary; Steven Hansen, Phoenix, treasurer; Bonnie Beaver, College Station, Texas, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Drs. Jan Shearer, Ames, Iowa; Jeff Boehm, Sausalito, California; and James Barton, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Contact: Dr. Gail Golab, President, American College of Animal Welfare, 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60174; phone, 847-285-6618; ggolabavma [dot] org (ggolab[at]avma[dot]org); www.acaw.org
Poultry veterinarians
Event: American College of Poultry Veterinarians meeting, July 21-25, Indianapolis
Business: It was announced that ACPV executive vice president, Karen Burns Grogan, would be stepping down in July 2018 and the college would be seeking her replacement. The Avian Medicine and Pathology Residency Program was approved as a new ACPV training program.
New diplomates: Thirteen new diplomates were welcomed into the ACPV. They are as follows:
Silvia Carnaccini, Athens, Georgia
William Dillard, Madison, Alabama
Nik M. Faiz, Cary, North Carolina
Tyler Cole Gamble, Athens, Georgia
Kate Hayes, Pulaski, Tennessee
Megan Lighty, Willmar, Minnesota
Kathleen Elizabeth Long, New Hamburg, Ontario
Geoffrey Lossie, Lafayette, Indiana
Erin Riley, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Dulmelis Sandu, Athens, Georgia
Travis Schaal, Grimes, Iowa
Benjamin Schlegel, New Hamburg, Ontario
Jessica Walters, Crimora, Virginia
Officials: Drs. Eric Gingerich, Zionsville, Indiana, president; David Hermes, Vincennes, Indiana, president-elect; and Ken Opengart, Madison, Alabama, 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; supportacpv [dot] info (support[at]acpv[dot]info); www.acpv.info
Veterinary behaviorists
Event: American College of Veterinary Behaviorists meeting, July 21, Indianapolis
Awards: R.K. Anderson Award: Dr. Katherine Pankratz, Raleigh, North Carolina, for outstanding research in the field of applied animal behavior. A 2014 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Pankratz is a third-year clinical behavioral medicine resident at North Carolina State University.
Business: The college received and reviewed reports from all standing and ad hoc committees and discussed the impending launch of the college's new website.
Officials: Drs. Valarie Tynes, Sweetwater, Texas, president; Ellen Lindell, Bethel, Connecticut, president-elect; Carlo Siracusa, Philadelphia, secretary; Lisa Radosta, Royal Palm Beach, Florida, treasurer; Lore Haug, Sugarland, Texas, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Drs. E'Lise Christensen Bell, New York, and Margaret Gruen, Raleigh, North Carolina
Contact: Marisa Hackemann, Executive Director, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, 5003 SW 41st Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32608; phone, 352-505-4324; acvbnavc [dot] com (acvb[at]navc[dot]com); www.dacvb.org
Veterinary preventive medicine
Event: American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine meeting, July 23, Indianapolis
Awards: Helwig-Jennings Award: Dr. Mo Salman, Fort Collins, Colorado, for outstanding and prolonged service to the ACVPM. A 1973 graduate of the University of Baghdad College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Salman has served as a professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences for the past 32 years. He also founded and serves as director of the college's Animal Population Health Institute. Dr. Salman is a diplomate of the ACVPM. Distinguished Diplomate Award: Dr. Paul Garbe, Atlanta, for important contributions to the specialty of veterinary preventive medicine. Dr. Garbe earned his veterinary degree from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1977 and a master's in public health from Yale University in 1982. He is acting director of the Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During his more than 30-year career with the CDC, Dr. Garbe has served as epidemiology section chief of the Radiation Studies Branch, chief of the Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch, and associate director for science in the Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects. He is a diplomate of the ACVPM. Frank A. Todd President's Award: Dr. Matthew Doyle, Washington, D.C., for meritorious service to the college. A 2008 graduate of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Doyle is a senior veterinary medical officer with the Food and Drug Administration. He serves as editor of the ACVPM newsletter and is immediate past chair of the college's communication committee.
New diplomates: Sixty-eight new diplomates were welcomed into the college following successful completion of the certifying examination. The new diplomates are as follows:
Laura Adams, Phoenix
Julia Nicole Alvarez, Jacksonville, Florida
Lorraine Barbosa, San Francisco
Christopher D. Bass, Buda, Texas
Justin Gayle Bergeron, Winthrop, Maine
Dawn Blackburn, Winter Springs, Florida
Susan J. Bright-Ponte, Falls Church, Virginia
Catherine D. Burlison, San Antonio
Lori Ann Campbell, Davis, California
Tristan James Colonius, Washington, DC
Ross Coniglio, Pickerington, Ohio
Francesca Marie Contadini, Cascinette d'Ivrea, Italy
Emily Matz Corbin, Silver Spring, Maryland
Jennifer Cwikla, Plano, Texas
Lindsey Smith Day, Americus, Georgia
Hannah Skotty Dollar, Georgetown, Texas
Morgane Dominguez, Paris
Hillary Feldmann, Tulare, California
Katharine C. Frank, San Diego
Amanda M. Gerboth, Clarksville, Tennessee
Christopher M. Good, Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Erin L. Goodrich, Berkshire, New York
Heather S. Harris, Morro Bay, California
Erin C. Hennessey, Oceanside, California
Kristina JoAnn Hubbard, Starkville, Mississippi
Dr. Dawn M. Hull, Harker Heights, Texas
Ashley M. Hydrick, Fernandina Beach, Florida
Chelsea D. Johnson, Jacksonville, Arkansas
James E. Johnson, San Antonio
Heidi Kassenborg, Alton, Minnesota
Vera Christina Kazaniwskyj, Columbus, Ohio
Justin Kieffer, Columbus, Ohio
John Lawrence, Shreveport, Louisiana
Christopher A. Lee, North Wales, Pennsylvania
James Lee, North Smithfield, Rhode Island
Jeremy Wade Lewis, Cameron, North Carolina
Anne Mickelsen, Stilesville, Indiana
Kiyokazu Murai, Ogori, Japan
Kristen Kay Obbink, Ames, Iowa
Taylor K. Opel, Cataula, Georgia
Elizabeth Parker, Wooster, Ohio
Vicki Payne, San Antonio
Jessi Pizzuli, North Olmsted, Ohio
Kathryn R. Polking, Earlham, Iowa
Jan Raines, Dallas
Susan J. Reed, Columbus, Ohio
Laura Ellen Riddle, Sterling, Virginia
Kerry Allen Rood, Providence, Utah
Katherine Sawford, Braidwood, Australia
Ilana Schafer, Atlanta
Lauren M. Seal, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Magdalena Smrdelj, Toronto
Crystal Snare, Olympia, Washington
Danielle Renee Stanek, Tallahassee, Florida
Erika K Stapp-Kamotani, Springfield, Virginia
Kelley B. Steury, Auburn, Alabama
Leah A. Tingley, Olympia, Washington
Suzanne Regina Todd, Erie, Pennsylvania
Teresa Michelle Vaughn, Starkville, Mississippi
Emily Jean Walz, Columbus, Ohio
Guyan Weerasinghe, Mount Coolum, Australia
Shaun R. Wellert, West Salem, Ohio
Kayla J. Wells, Beeville, Texas
Seth R. Wexler, Raleigh, North Carolina
Karen K. Whala, Merced, California
Stephanie K. Wire, Oglesby, Illinois
Dr. Muhammad Usman Zaheer, Lahore, Pakistan
Mariah Kateland Zeigler, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Officials: Drs. Marianne Ash, Lafayette, Indiana, president; Brian McCluskey, Littleton, Colorado, president-elect; Tom Doker, Aiken, South Carolina, secretary-treasurer; Candace L. McCall, Summerfield, Florida, executive vice president; Scott Brooks, Glenview, Illinois, immediate past president; Kimberly Orr, Washington, D.C., Specialty of Epidemiology president; and councilors—Drs. Renee Funk, Atlanta; Armando Hoet, Columbus, Ohio; and Barbara Jones, Durham, New Hampshire
Contact: Dr. Candace L. McCall, Executive Vice President, American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, 14275 S. Highway 475, Summerfield, FL 34491; phone, 210-382-5400; preventionfirstgmail [dot] com (preventionfirst[at]gmail[dot]com); www.acvpm.org
Laboratory animal practitioners
Event: American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners meeting, July 23, Indianapolis
Business: 2016-17 AVMA Congressional Fellows, Drs. Jenifer Chatfield, Dade City, Florida; Chelsey Shivley, Washington, D.C.; and Taylor Winkleman, Athens, Georgia, spoke at the society's board of directors meeting, sharing their experiences during the past year. They acknowledged the importance of their visit to a laboratory animal facility, coordinated by the society. Drs. William S. Stokes, Raleigh, North Carolina, and René Carlson, Chetek, Wisconsin, reported on pertinent AVMA business, including recent House of Delegates actions. The ASLAP Awards Nomination Committee informed the board that three candidates nominated by the society had been chosen to receive awards. Dr. Suzanne Craig, Charleston, South Carolina, received the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine's Mentorship Award April 17 at the ACLAM Forum. Dr. Terry Blankenship, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, will be honored with the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science's Charles A. Griffin Award, and Dr. John Long, St. Louis, will receive the AALAS Joseph J. Garvey Management Award at the AALAS meeting Oct. 17. The ASLAP/ACLAM Program Committee noted that attendance at sessions during AVMA Convention 2017 was good. It was announced that speakers for the upcoming national AALAS meeting in Austin, Texas, in October, as well as AVMA Convention 2018 in Denver have been selected and confirmed. The annual ASLAP luncheon to be held on Oct. 16 at the national AALAS meeting in Austin, will be titled "Bat Conservation and the Role of Veterinary Medicine." The ASLAP Animal Welfare Committee is nearing completion of a white paper on mouse welfare. Once completed, the committee will begin work on a similar paper on rat welfare.
Officials: Drs. Diane McClure, Pomona, California, president; Iris Bolton, Houston, president-elect; Judith S. Daviau, Lumberton, secretary-treasurer; William Hill, Lenexa, Kansas, immediate past president; and AVMA delegate and alternate delegate—Drs. William S. Stokes, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Patricia V. Turner, Guelph, Ontario
Contact: Dr. Judith S. Daviau, Secretary-Treasurer, American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners, 352 Newbolds Corner Road, Lumberton, New Jersey; phone, 215-503-5885; judith [dot] daviaujefferson [dot] edu (judith[dot]daviau[at]jefferson[dot]edu); www.aslap.org
Veterinary epidemiologists
Event: American Veterinary Epidemiology Society meeting, July 24, Indianapolis
Awards: Karl F. Meyer–James H. Steele Gold Headed Cane Award, sponsored by Hartz Mountain Corporation: Drs. Lisa Conti, Tallahassee, Florida, and Terry McElwain, Oak Harbor, Washington. Dr. Conti received her veterinary degree from the University of Florida in 1988 and her master's in public health from the University of South Florida in 1993. She is deputy commissioner and chief science officer of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Earlier, Dr. Conti was with the Florida Department of Health for 23 years, serving as division director of environmental health, Florida state public health veterinarian, and state HIV/AIDS surveillance coordinator. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Dr. McElwain received his veterinary degree from Kansas State University in 1980 and his doctorate in immunology and infectious diseases from Washington State University in 1986. Prior to his recent retirement, he served as director and executive director of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, directed Washington State University's Animal Health Research Center, and was a professor of pathology and served as associate director of the Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health. Dr. McElwain is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Honorary diplomas, sponsored by Hartz Mountain Corporation, were given to Drs. Terri Clark, Bethesda, Maryland; Jason Johnson, Harrogate, Tennessee; Mo Salman, Fort Collins, Colorado; John Gibbins, Cincinnati; Paul Gibbs, Gainesville, Florida; Thomas Honadel, Bel Air, Maryland; and Trevor Ames, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Business: The late Dr. Charles Thoen (see JAVMA obituary, Sept. 1, 2017), immediate past president of the AVES, was memorialized at the meeting. It was announced that the second edition of the James H. Steele biography, "Animal Health, Human Health, One Health: The Life and Legacy of Dr. James H. Steele," is available on Amazon. All proceeds will go to the society to help implement and sustain future programs.
Officials: Drs. Craig N. Carter, Lexington, Kentucky, president and executive director; Georgette Wilson, Secaucus, New Jersey, secretary; and board members—Drs. Lonnie King, Columbus, Ohio; Saul Wilson, Tuskegee, Alabama; George W. Beran, Ames, Iowa; Bruce Kaplan, Sarasota, Florida; and William Stokes, Apex, North Carolina
Contact: Dr. Craig N. Carter, President and Executive Director, American Veterinary Epidemiology Society, 3135 Newman Road, Lexington, KY 40515; phone, 859-321-4890; craig [dot] carteruky [dot] edu (craig[dot]carter[at]uky[dot]edu); www.avesociety.org
Veterinary history society
Event: American Veterinary Medical History Society meeting, July 22, Indianapolis
Program: The immediate past president of the AVMHS, Dr. Peter W. Cowen, presided over the meeting. The speaker program featured the president-elect of the AVMHS, Dr. Russell Currier, who presented "Life and Times of Richard Shope"; Dr. Cowen, who delivered the talk "A Short History of One Health"; and Dr. Howard H. Erickson, Manhattan, Kansas, who delivered the talk "Indiana Veterinary College and AVMA Meeting 1912 in Indianapolis." The AVMA poster display area included Dr. Erickson's poster "The Indiana Veterinary College at Indianapolis (1892-1924): Its Background and Contributions to Veterinary Medicine." The AVMHS booth featured several posters assembled by veterinary students from Purdue University. Among them were "Madness, Mystery, and Monsters—An Early History of Rabies" by Jessica Zeiger (Purdue '18); "The Development of Enrichment and Its Importance in Animal Research" by Janna Draper (Purdue '19); "A History of 2 Fracture Repair Advancements in Veterinary Medicine" by Brooke Fourthman (Purdue '19); and "Can Artificial Insemination Save Endangered Species? Using an Old Science to Solve a New Problem" by Kelsey Trumpp (Purdue '19). Also on display was the poster "The Successful 1912 AVMA Meeting at Indianapolis."
Awards: J. Fred Smithcors Student Veterinary History Essay Contest, sponsored by the Donaldson Charitable Trust: First and second place ($1,200)—Jessica Zeiger (Purdue '19), for "Madness, Mystery, and Monsters—An Early History of Rabies" and "Sleep Away the Suffering—The Early Development of Veterinary Surgical Anesthesia"; third place ($1,000)—Janna M. Draper (Purdue '19), for "The Development of Enrichment and Its Importance in Animal Research"; fourth place ($800)—Kara Simon (Kansas State '19), for "The Story of Mice and Men: The Evolution of Animal Experiments"; and fifth place ($500)—Katya P. Luckenbach (Kansas State '20), for "Economics of the Veterinary Profession: The Tables Have Turned."
Business: The society recognized several deceased members, including two charter members, Drs. Robert C. McClure (see JAVMA obituary, Aug. 15, 2017) and Thomas G. Murnane, who died July 13. Similar to the past two years, members had been sent a postcard outlining the program in Indianapolis. This year's postcard featured an oil painting of the Indiana Veterinary College building circa 1899 by Dorothy Lanning, Greensburg, Indiana. Reports on ongoing AVMHS activities were presented, including the society's Registry of Heritage Veterinary Practices, which honors veterinary hospitals and clinics nationwide that are more than 50 years old. It was noted that, effective in fall 2016, Dr. Susan E. Aiello, Dayton, Ohio, became the new editor of the society's Time-Bites ministory project in association with the Veterinary Information Network. Discussions included the need for increased membership, options for fundraising events via a raffle and/or auction, and reviewing the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges anniversary book. The membership supported upgrading the society's website and agreed on the value of involvement in social media. Also discussed was the need for increased peer review and electronic publication, and the overall sustainability of the society's journal, Veterinary Heritage.
Officials: David J. Williams, West Lafayette, Indiana, president; Dr. Russell W. Currier, Des Moines, Iowa, program chair and president-elect; Susanne K. Whitaker, Ithaca, New York, secretary-treasurer; Dr. Peter W. Cowen, Raleigh, North Carolina, immediate past president; and members-at-large—C. Trenton Boyd, Columbia, Missouri; Dr. Lisa Cox, Guelph, Ontario; Dr. Cynthia Hoobler, Friendswood, Texas; and Dr. Janver D. Krehbiel, Okemos, Michigan
Contact: Susanne K. Whitaker, Secretary-Treasurer, American Veterinary Medical History Society, 23 Wedgewood Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850; phone, 607-257-9248; skw2cornell [dot] edu (skw2[at]cornell[dot]edu); www.avmhs.org
Veterinary medical colleges
Event: Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, July 22, Indianapolis
Program: The AAVMC senior accreditation director, Dr. Sheila Allen presented an update on AVMA Council on Education activities, including recent and proposed revisions to COE standards, data harmonization and the new accreditation management system, and the AAVMC's increased financial responsibilities for supporting the COE. Dr. James Thompson, dean of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, discussed strategies for dealing with veterinary specialty colleges that have decided to impose residency program registration fees on academic institutions that operate residency training programs. The college is opposed to these fees and has communicated its position to these specialty colleges. Dr. Steve Solomon, director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine, presented an update on the center's operations. He discussed the antimicrobial resistance issue and the need for more cancer treatment drugs to be developed for use in animals. Dr. Jack Shere, chief veterinary officer with the Department of Agriculture, spoke on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's program, discussing containment measures and costs associated with outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza and the importance of being vigilant and maintaining sophisticated disease surveillance and rapid-response programs. He also stressed the increasing need for veterinary colleges to provide the USDA with well-trained and qualified graduates.
Officials: Dr. Phillip Nelson, Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, president; Dr. Calvin M. Johnson, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, president-elect; Dr. Paul Lunn, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, secretary; Dr. Mark D. Markel, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, treasurer; Dr. Douglas A. Freeman, University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine, immediate past president; Dr. Roger B. Fingland, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, at-large liaison, representing the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians; Dr. Bryan Slinker, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, at-large liaison, representing the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities; Aaron Colwell, University of Nebraska, at-large liaison, representing the Student American Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe, Washington, D.C., chief executive officer; and directors-at-large—Drs. Susan Tornquist, Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Michel Carrier, University of Montreal Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ted Whittem, University of Melbourne Melbourne Veterinary School; Ewan Cameron, University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine; and Jane Christopher-Hennings, South Dakota State University Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department
Contact: Jeanne Johnson, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, 655 K Street NW, Suite 725, Washington, DC 20001; phone, 202-371-9195, ext. 144; jjohnsonaavmc [dot] org (jjohnson[at]aavmc[dot]org); www.aavmc.org
Lesbian and gay association
Event: Lesbian and Gay VMA meeting, July 24, Indianapolis
Program: Lynne Bowman, of the Human Rights Campaign, presented the keynote address, "A State of the Union Is ... ." The association sponsored a talk on LGBT veterinary wellness by LGVMA vice president, Dr. Michael Chaddock, and co-sponsored the Diversity in Parenting panel with the Women's Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative during AVMA Convention 2017.
Awards: Achievement Award: Dr. Joseph Kinnarney, Greensboro, North Carolina, and Tracy Witte, PhD, Opelika, Alabama, won this award, given to individuals who provide leadership or community service to advance the LGVMA mission of fostering acceptance and inclusivity for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities within the veterinary profession. A 1980 graduate of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and a past president of the AVMA, Dr. Kinnarney practices mixed animal medicine in Reidsville, North Carolina. He was honored for his advocacy work within the AVMA, including supporting the federal Equality Act, updating the AVMA nondiscrimination policy to include gender identity and gender expression, and serving, along with his husband, Bradley Marlow-Kinnarney, as role models for LGBTQ individuals within the veterinary profession. Dr. Witte obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from Florida State University in 2010. She serves as an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Auburn University, also serving as a clinical supervisor at the Auburn University Psychological Services Center. Dr. Witte's research helps identify the risks of suicide in the LGBTQ population as part of the larger veterinary wellness movement. She is a member of the SAVMA Mental Health and Wellness Task Force and is a primary author of the 2016 LGBTQ Veterinary Wellness Survey. Service Award: Drs. Suzanne Russo, San Francisco; Mike Dibler, Orlando, Florida; and Sandy Hazanow, San Francisco. A 1992 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Russo recently retired as vice president of veterinary recruitment at VCA in San Francisco. She previously worked for Pfizer Animal Health, which became Zoetis. Dr. Russo was recognized for her advocacy within veterinary industry. She helped coordinate the VCA-LGVMA-Broad Spectrum grant to support LGBTQ advocacy at the AAVMC's 2017 Iverson Bell Symposium. While at Zoetis, Dr. Russo helped initiate the annual LGVMA-Zoetis grant that supports outreach at the AVMA Convention and the LGVMA veterinary student leadership grant program. A 2017 graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Dibler practices small animal medicine at Banfield Pet Hospital in Winter Springs, Florida. He was honored for his "brave and empowering advocacy" of LGBTQ people within the veterinary profession, especially in support of transgender rights. A 1992 graduate of the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Hazanow co-owns Seven Hills Veterinary Hospital in San Francisco. She has served as president of the LGVMA since 2012 and is a past president of the San Francisco VMA. Under her leadership as LGVMA president, the veterinary profession has become more inclusive of LGBTQ individuals.
Business: The LGVMA plans to begin a rebranding process for its name to be more inclusive of the LGBTQ community, to look into establishing an endowment or a 501(c)3 entity, to continue focusing on student membership and advocacy, and to offer four $1,500 veterinary student leadership stipends this fall.
Officials: Dr. Sandy Hazanow, San Francisco, president; Dr. Michael Chaddock, East Lansing, Michigan, vice president; Dr. Linda Detwiler, Millstone Township, New Jersey, secretary; Kevin Cain, Washington, D.C., treasurer; Dr. Wayne Hollingshead, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Quebec, immediate past president; Dr. Michael McGuill, Boston, advocacy chair; Abby McElroy, North Grafton, Massachusetts, student representative; and members-at-large—Drs. Paige Carmichael, Athens, Georgia, and Dane Whitaker, San Francisco
Contact: Dr. Ken Gorczyca, Lesbian and Gay VMA, 584 Castro St. #492, San Francisco, CA 94114; phone, 415-851-2367; adminlgvma [dot] org (admin[at]lgvma[dot]org); lgvma.org
Veterinary medical association executives
Event: Veterinary Medical Association Executives meeting, July 21, Indianapolis
Awards: Executive of the Year: Dr. Peter Weinstein, Cypress, California, for exemplifying the best in association management and continually bringing credit to the profession and the association community. Dr. Weinstein has served as executive director of the Southern California VMA for the past 10 years. Under his leadership, the association has become one of the largest regional VMAs, providing its members with services such as free continuing education programs and opportunities for leadership development. During Dr. Weinstein's tenure, the SCVMA has put a new charitable campaign in place and established a strong presence at the Western University College of Veterinary Medicine in Pomona, California, and University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Distinguished Service Award: Richard Alampi, Township, New Jersey, for exceptional service to the VMAE, demonstrating initiative, integrity, and commitment in serving the veterinary profession and association colleagues. Executive director of the New Jersey VMA, Alampi is a founding member and a past president of the VMAE. He has served on and chaired several of the association's committees and task forces. Best in Business Award: North Carolina VMA, in the category of VMAs with budgets under $750,000, and Southern California VMA, in the category of VMAs with budgets above $750,000. The NCVMA was recognized for its college sports public relations campaign. The campaign aims to increase awareness of the veterinary profession and the importance of proper pet health care via a video played at college sports events at North Carolina State University, East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, and the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. Pet care tips are also posted at pre- and-post-game shows and on social media. The SCVMA, known for mentoring recent graduates, veterinary students, and veterinary technology students via liaisons and scholarships, was recognized for its DVM2K leadership workshops. The workshops were developed to encourage recent graduates and young veterinarians to become more involved with the association and to identify and foster future leaders in organized veterinary medicine.
Officials: Deloris Green Gaines, Fayetteville, Tennessee, president; Dan Tjornehoj, South St. Paul, Minnesota, president-elect; Dr. Gary Stamp, San Antonio, secretary; Phil Hinkle, Orlando, Florida, treasurer; and Candace Joy, Snoqualmie, Washington, immediate past president
Contact: Deloris Green Gaines, President, Veterinary Medical Association Executives, 19 Lacy Road, Fayetteville, TN 37334; phone, 800-697-3587; green [dot] delogmail [dot] com (green[dot]delo[at]gmail[dot]com); www.vmae.org