SAVMA Committees

There are several standing Student AVMA committees which benefit Student AVMA members and represent student views to AVMA committees. A listing of these committees are as follows.

For more information on grants/scholarships offered by SAVMA Committees, please visit the SAVMA Awards, Competitions and Scholarships page.

Animal Welfare and Environmental Stewardship Committee (AWESC)

AWESC serves to inform veterinary students about current information surrounding the topics of animal welfare and environmental conservation in our society. The committee also takes a role in promoting these bonds through annual scholarships available to SAVMA members and maintaining their knowledge through liaisons to AVMA Standing Committees. As a committee, they seek to: strive for the advancement of animal welfare and environmental conservation and sustainability by encouraging student interest in these fields, celebrate and learn more about the human-animal bond, encourage participation in organized animal medicine, and recognize students who make an outstanding contribution to the disciplines of animal welfare and environmental stewardship.

Email the committee at savma [dot] awescatgmail [dot] com (savma[dot]awesc[at]gmail[dot]com)

Education and Professional Development Committee (EPDC)

EPDC serves to encourage the development and refinement of veterinary educational programs at veterinary schools in the United States and other AVMA-accredited institutions, promote education and awareness on current economic issues within the veterinary industry, and provide opportunities for student personal and professional development. The Committee also serves to maintain relationships with the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges and the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. These liaisons represent SAVMA, as well as provide accurate and evidence-based information on changes within the veterinary profession as it pertains to education, licensure, and economics to SAVMA and veterinary professionals.

Education and Professional Development Committee Member Area

Email the committee at savmaepdcatgmail [dot] com (savmaepdc[at]gmail[dot]com)

Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC)

GAC serves as the SAVMA liaison to the AVMA Government Relations Division (GRD) in Washington D.C. The committee informs veterinary students of pending and approved legislation that affects the veterinary profession and its students. GAC encourages and promotes the involvement of veterinary students in the legislative process. Veterinary Student Legislative Day organized by the AVMA GRD in conjunction with the GAC, affords students the opportunity to learn the importance of advocacy and the skills needed to effectively approach and lobby members of Congress. Students are given the opportunity to advocate for the veterinary profession in visits to their state legislators' offices on Capitol Hill. The GAC chair or the chair's appointee serves as the student liaison for the Veterinary Student Legislative Day Fly-In. The LAC and PAC positions serve as student liaisons for the AVMA Legislative Advisory Committee and AVMA Political Action Committee respectively. Visit AVMA's website for updates on legislative information and learn how you can get involved in programs such as AVMA PAC and the AVMA Externship/Fellowship programs.

Email the committee at gac [dot] savma15atgmail [dot] com (gac[dot]savma15[at]gmail[dot]com)

Integrative Communications and Diversity Committee (ICDC)

ICDC seeks to reinforce and enhance communication lines between the AVMA, SAVMA, and the SAVMA Chapters and Student Associate organizations. In addition to promoting exchange of information within the veterinary community, other goals of the ICDC committee include reaching out to sponsor veterinary related projects in the community as well as promoting diversity within veterinary medicine. The committee has created an Interschool Communication Database which serves as a resource of accessible contact information from clubs and organizations across all veterinary schools with SAVMA representation. The purpose of the database is to foster communication between organizations with similar interests in order to facilitate the exchange of ideas, mentorship, and support, and to enable the creation or strengthening of various local organizations. Note: Please contact your school’s SAVMA Delegate if the information you are looking for is not available.

Email the committee at SAVMA [dot] icdcatgmail [dot] com (SAVMA[dot]icdc[at]gmail[dot]com)

International Veterinary Experience Committee (IVEC)

IVEC promotes the advancement of veterinary education and animal welfare throughout the world. The committee facilitates individual, cultural and educational exchanges through the recruitment of veterinary students to participate in international student exchange programs. The committee also distributes information about the activities of the International Veterinary Student Association and encourages local chapters to be involved in international activities along with the national SAVMA International Exchange Officer. All veterinary students who are current SAVMA members are also registered as members of IVSA. IVEC works closely with IVSA in facilitating student exchanges, cultivating international relations within vet met, and expanding the breadth of student learning on a global scale. Click here for a listing with contact information for IVSA Representatives at each school. For all the latest happenings and information concerning the IVSA, please visit: http://www.ivsa.org. Visit our page for more information on International Exchange Opportunities for students. Follow @International Veterinary Experience Discussion Forum on Facebook to keep up with student experiences, international exchanges and upcoming events.

Email the committee at ivecscholarshipsatgmail [dot] com (ivecscholarships[at]gmail[dot]com)

For more information on how to set-up an international exchange, contact the national SAVMA International Exchange Officer at SAVMAIEOatgmail [dot] com (SAVMAIEO[at]gmail[dot]com)

Public Health and Community Outreach Committee (PHCOC)

PHCOC aims to educate veterinary students about emerging issues in veterinary medicine, increase veterinary medical service to underserved areas, and encourage youth to consider a career in veterinary medicine. The committee works closely with the national SAVMA Global and Public Health Officer. Learn more about SAVMA One Health/Public Health, current meetings, externships and more at SAVMA One Health.

Email the committee at savma [dot] phcocatgmail [dot] com (savma[dot]phcoc[at]gmail[dot]com)

SAVMA Wellbeing Committee

The SAVMA Wellbeing Committee was created after a growing body of evidence showed that veterinary students experienced high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The committee serves to promote student physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing at veterinary schools in the United States and other AVMA-accredited institutions in an effort to contribute to the enhancement of wellbeing within the veterinary profession. The committee encourages SAVMA Chapters to become involved in student wellbeing initiatives at their respective schools and colleges. The committee facilitates and shares wellbeing programs and/or opportunities within the veterinary student community between all veterinary schools, and AVMA-accredited institutions and communicates SAVMA member wellbeing-related affairs to the HOD.

Email the committee at savma [dot] cooatgmail [dot] com (savma[dot]coo[at]gmail[dot]com)