May 01, 2020

Event

Annual meeting, Atlanta, March 7-10

Program

Swine veterinarians and veterinary students learned to better manage disease risks, improve biosecurity on farms, improve their own well-being, and understand the regulations and other limits affecting drug use, among other topics at the AASV’s 51st annual meeting. The theme was “2020: A Vision for the Future.” Dr. Bret Marsh, Indiana state veterinarian, delivered the keynote presentation on the roles of government in working with swine veterinarians, the pork industry, and the public to protect pigs and the agriculture industry. The meeting included 11 pre-conference seminars, five lecture series within the conference, a research topic session, a student seminar, and three sessions from industry partners. The meeting also involved efforts to reduce risk of COVID-19 among attendees, with signs designating the meeting a handshake-free zone as well as hand sanitizer stations.

Awards

Swine Practitioner of the Year
Dr. Joel Nerem (Iowa ’96). The award honors swine practitioners for proficiency and effectiveness in delivering veterinary services. He is chief veterinary officer for Pipestone Veterinary Services in Pipestone, Minnesota, where he is sought for ideas, collaboration, and second opinions. He bases his decisions on evidence, working to provide the best outcomes for pigs and producers and always considering the well-being of both. Dr. Nerem also advocates for responsible use of antimicrobials in swine and oversees a Pipestone system that engages clients on antimicrobial-resistance surveillance and antimicrobial use.

Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year
Dr. Wesley Lyons (Tennessee ’14). The award honors veterinarians for exemplary service and proficiency within five years of graduation. He works for Pipestone Veterinary Services as regional health director and overseer of health and production recommendations for sow herds in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. He is an emerging leader who joined the National Pork Board’s Animal Welfare Committee in 2015, participated in the National Pork Producers Council’s Veterinary Public Policy and Advocacy Program, and served as a member of the 2019 Pig Welfare Symposium planning committee. He also worked on AASV committees, first with the Swine Health Committee and now chairing the Committee on Transboundary and Emerging Diseases.

Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year
Dr. Jer Geiger (Illinois ’80). The award honors swine industry veterinarians for proficiency and effectiveness in delivering services to companies and their clients. He is a health assurance veterinarian for PIC North America. Described as a servant leader and mentor, Dr. Geiger has given decades of service to the AASV through the Board of Directors, Program Planning Committee for annual meetings, Swine Welfare Committee, and ad hoc Audit Committee. He also represented the AASV on the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee, through which he helped draft the AVMA’s euthanasia guidelines.

Howard Dunne Memorial Award
Dr. Glen Almond (Ontario ’80). The award honors AASV members for important contributions and outstanding service to the association and swine industry. Dr. Almond is professor of pig health and production medicine at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He has given decades of service to the AASV and swine industry. He has helped prepare the educational programs for at least seven AASV annual meetings through the AASV Annual Program Planning Committee, advocates through the AASV Collegiate Activities Committee for swine curriculum and students with interest in swine medicine, helps advance knowledge of veterinarians as a member of the Journal of Swine Health and Production editorial board, and works on the Pig Welfare Symposium steering committee.

Meritorious Service Award
Dr. Lisa M. Tokach (Minnesota ’90). She was honored with the award for veterinarians who perform outstanding service to the AASV. Dr. Tokach is a practitioner and personnel director at Abilene Animal Hospital in Abilene, Kansas. She joined the AASV Public Relations Committee in her first year after veterinary school and has since served on the Pig Welfare Committee, represented AASV on the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee, formed new AASV groups such as the Human Health and Safety Committee and Student Recruitment Committee, helped establish the AASV Foundation, served two terms on the AASV Board of Directors, and became the 2002 AASV president. Today, she is chair of the AASV Foundation board of directors as well as a continued volunteer for the AASV and mentor for veterinary students.

Officials

Drs. Jeffrey Harker, president; Mary Battrell, president-elect; Mike Senn, vice president; and Nathan Winkelman, immediate past president