Saturday, July 19, 2008

• Welcome to New Orleans

  Those who have traveled to the 145th AVMA Annual Convention are helping New Orleans recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina.

• Incoming president Cook sees more proactive Association

  The AVMA is becoming more proactive about addressing veterinary and animal needs, according to Dr. James O. Cook, the 2008-2009 AVMA president.

• Convention attendees rehabilitate local animal shelters

  Painting walls in sweltering weather actually may be a highlight of the 145th Annual AVMA Convention for many attendees.

• Rise and shine with Cokie Roberts

  Start your AVMA Annual Convention experience off right with the Hill's Opening Session this morning with Emmy Award-winning journalist and best-selling author Cokie Roberts.

• Experience New Orleans

  During your New Orleans visit, take time to experience some of the unique local events that this vibrant city offers.

• Jazzing it up in New Orleans

  The legendary bars and music clubs of New Orleans were among the first businesses to reopen after Hurricane Katrina, with some bars in the French Quarter serving patrons by lamplight until electricity returned to the city.

• Treasurer: inspiration in economic challenges

  AVMA Treasurer Bret D. Marsh said no one knew the Dow would dip nearly 20 percent from its October high, gasoline would exceed $4 per gallon, a subprime mortgage debacle would shake the housing market, and food prices would escalate.

• Kornegay declares candidacy for AVMA presidency

  Sounding a theme of "strength through unity," Dr. Larry M. Kornegay launched his candidacy for 2009 AVMA president-elect at the Candidates' Introductory Breakfast on Friday.

• Equal pay, veal crates among policies to be taken up by AVMA delegates

  The AVMA House of Delegates will consider resolutions on issues ranging from drug compounding and livestock identification to the AVMA vice presidency and veal calf confinement.

• Program changes

   

• TV program covers convention news, topics of interest

  The AVMA Convention News Network television program returns this year with stories on subjects ranging from Mike the Tiger at Louisiana State University to the changing demographics of the veterinary profession.

• AVMA Auxiliary mixes meeting with entertainment

  Convention attendees can "Jazz up with the Auxiliary" this year by partaking in discussion, food, music, and shopping

• Lifehouse headlines concert series

  Attendees of the 145th AVMA Annual Convention will have a chance to rock out to Lifehouse tonight at the second annual Merial Concert Series.

• Convention sponsors

   

• Relationships between animal, human health explored

  The One Medicine continuing-education track offers sessions every day about the connections between veterinary and human medicine.

• Free shuttle runs between hotels, convention center

  Lilly is sponsoring shuttle bus service between the convention center and several hotels that are not within easy walking distance.

• Agricultural animals helped ravaged families recover from devastating tsunami

  On Dec. 26, 2004, an undersea earthquake off Indonesia caused a vertical lift that displaced ocean water, triggering tsunami waves to the east and west.

• Exhibit hall offers amenities while highlighting products, services

  Free shoulder and neck massages, courtesy of Merial Ltd., are among the many activities that companies are sponsoring at the exhibit hall this year.

• AVMA enters into multimillion-dollar partnership with companies

  Fort Dodge Animal Health, Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., and Merial Ltd. have together pledged a total of $4.5 million in support of AVMA programs and services over the next four years.

• AVMA GHLIT provides free health screenings

  The AVMA Group Health & Life Insurance Trust is pleased to once again sponsor the Wellness Center, offering free health screenings to AVMA members and their spouses during the AVMA Annual Convention, Saturday through Tuesday.

• New people, programs at PLIT

  The AVMA PLIT has several news items to report. In June, Dr. Nina Mouledous joined the PLIT as a trust representative.

• Sunday worship

   

• Speak out

  Advocate on behalf of the veterinary profession by joining the AVMA Congressional Advocacy Network.

• Visitors, volunteers restoring a vibrant New Orleans

  What do shopping, walking dogs, and washing sweet potatoes have in common?

• Give AVMA your feedback

  Share your thoughts on the AVMA Annual Convention by completing various surveys.

• AVMA GHLIT, Pets Best Insurance announce partnership

  Pets Best Insurance and the AVMA Group Health & Life Insurance Trust on Friday announced an exclusive relationship with a goal of educating veterinarians and consumers about pet insurance.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

• Keynote speaker discusses founding mothers, Katrina

  The Opening Session featured keynote speaker Cokie Roberts telling tales of family pets, her parents' political careers, the women who shaped the country, and her native New Orleans.

• Haynes earns top AVMA honor

  Dr. Peter F. Haynes, dean of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, has earned the 2008 AVMA Award.

• Corry in as AVMA president-elect, Brown as vice president

  The AVMA House of Delegates elected Dr. Larry R. Corry of Buford, Ga., the Association's 2008-2009 president-elect on Saturday. Delegates also chose Dr. Gary S. Brown of Princeton, W. Va., to be AVMA vice president.

• Local veterinarians recover from Katrina

  Veterinarians have not returned to the New Orleans area in full force in the three years since Hurricane Katrina, but they have reopened or rebuilt enough clinics to serve what is now a smaller community.

• AVMA members and staff honored at Hill's Opening Session

  Four AVMA members and one AVMA Staff member received awards during the Hill's Opening Session at the convention center on Saturday.

• Striking artwork sends a message made to stick

  "Most people know veterinarians treat pets and easily surmise they treat zoo and farm animals," says AVMA marketing director Jim Flanigan.

• Bustad lecture focuses on therapy animals

  Therapy animals demonstrate the healing powers of the human-animal bond, said Dr. Samuel Costello during the Bustad Memorial Lecture on Saturday morning.

• Get your swamp on

  A white heron is perched upon a moss-covered branch of a twisted cypress tree; the peering eyes of a 14-foot alligator gaze on the bird as the native reptile skims across the top of the swampy waters, mouth slightly agape.

• Attractions in the Big Easy

  Summertime in New Orleans is the perfect time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city's impressive attractions and historic locations.

• Exhibit hall features new products, services

  Many of the latest veterinary products and services are on display during the AVMA Annual Convention in the exhibit hall. Take a look at some of this year's offerings.

• AVMA President Hammer reflects on time in office

  The term of AVMA President Gregory S. Hammer ends at the close of the AVMA Annual Convention.

• Convention sponsors

   

• New Orleans Voodoo: Not what you think

  Veterinarians are called on to serve animals and sworn to provide the best possible care to the world's creatures.

• Bayer Bayou Bash offers family fun

  Celebrate New Orleans at the Bayer Bayou Bash, a Mardi Gras-style party, running from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight.

• House of Delegates expresses gratitude

  During its Saturday meeting, the AVMA House of Delegates recognized several of its members who are completing their terms of service.

• American Heartworm Society launches incidence survey

  The American Heartworm Society is conducting a survey to measure the incidence of heartworm disease in dogs in the United States.

• Channel surfing

  The changing demographics of the veterinary profession is the topic of today's feature story on the AVMA Convention News Network television program.

• Makeover sends Rai of hope to clinic

  A palette of color and an intrepid fleur-de-lis are brightening things for staff and clients at the NOLA Animal Clinic, which recently underwent a mini-makeover.

• Big Easy eats

  For most of us, the only way to appreciate the quality of New Orleans cuisine might be to order a classic Creole or Cajun dish from a restaurant near where we live.

• PAC luncheon tickets available

  Tickets are available for the AVMA Political Action Committee Congressional Luncheon today with political analyst Charles Cook Jr.

• New director to lead American Veterinary Medical Foundation

  The American Veterinary Medical Foundation has hired a new director, Michael W. Cathey, who has had a long career as a fundraiser for nonprofit organizations.

• House of Delegates gets wired

  The House of Delegates went electronic Friday when AVMA President-Elect James O. Cook instructed delegates to "Please press 1 on your handset to indicate you are present," ushering in a new electronic voting system...

• Election returns

  The House of Delegates elected one of its members to fill a vacancy on the House Advisory Committee.

Monday, July 21, 2008

• AVMA convention delivers lagniappe

  Like New Orleans, the AVMA Annual Convention is unique and offers what locals call lagniappe—a little something extra. It derives from a Quechuan term that means "to give more."

• Delegates pass veal housing resolution

  The AVMA has adopted a policy calling for veal calf housing systems that allow animals greater freedom of movement.

• America's most interesting city

  In 1718, under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de la Bienville, the French Mississippi Company reclaimed "La Nouvelle Orléans" (New Orleans) from a stagnant swamp. Since then, a lot has changed.

• World Veterinary Association president offers inside look

  Dr. Leon H. Russell has traveled practically to the ends of the Earth as president of the World Veterinary Association.

• Louisiana prepares to transport, shelter pets in next hurricane

  During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many Louisiana residents refused to evacuate from the coast without their pets.

• Run like the wind

  Steamboat Natchez Dock in New Orleans was the starting point yesterday morning for this year's AVMA 5K run, sponsored by the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps.

• Tee-time

  This year's golf outing was held Sunday at the Tournament Players Club of Louisiana in Avondale.

• Senate funds veterinary student debt relief program

  The Senate agriculture appropriations bill marked up on July 17 included a $5 million appropriation for the National Veterinary Medical Service Act.

• You and me and all of the people

  California rockers Lifehouse had AVMA convention-goers hanging for more than a few moments Saturday as part of the second annual Merial Concert Series.

• Plum Island director discusses foreign animal diseases, facility's future

  The foreign animal diseases that are of most concern currently to the U.S. departments of agriculture and homeland security are foot-and-mouth disease, Rift Valley fever, highly pathogenic avian influenza, and classical swine fever.

• LSU: home to Mike the Tiger

  Within Louisiana State University's sprawling campus in Baton Rouge lives a young tiger. Mike VI, a Bengal-Siberian mix, has held the role of the university's mascot since August 2007.

• Veterinary students earn AVMF scholarships

  Thirteen veterinary students earned scholarships from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. The winners were announced Sunday during the Foundation's board meeting.

• Student-related resolutions come before HOD

  Although the AVMA House of Delegates on Saturday voted against a resolution that would have created a Student Affairs Division within the Association, delegates did pass a measure directing the AVMA to increase its involvement with veterinary students.

• Channel surfing

  The Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and the university's mascot, Mike the Tiger, are the topics of today's feature story on the AVMA Convention News Network television program.

• AVMA convention impossible without gold-level supporters

  The AVMA Annual Convention doesn't come together overnight.

• Philippine VMA holds first alumni reception

  The Philippine Veterinary Medical Association Inc.–USA is hosting its first veterinary alumni reception Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Trafalgar Room on the third floor of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

• Resolutions, proposed bylaw see HOD action

  In addition to resolutions on veal calf housing (see page 1) and increased involvement with veterinary students (see page 8), the House of Delegates took action Saturday on 11 other resolutions and a proposed bylaw change.

• Hill's donates genome data to promote feline health

  Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. on Sunday announced the donation of its feline genome database to Morris Animal Foundation for the advancement of feline research.

• Business as usual

  The AVMA Auxiliary hosted the annual Marketplace of States in Grand Ballroom A&B at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside on Sunday. Lisa Turner, Fayetteville, Ark., and Pamela Tuller, Garden City, Kan., cochaired the event.

• Convention sponsors

   

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

• Notables take the stage today

  This afternoon at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, the Association's new leaders take office as AVMA President Gregory S. Hammer installs his successor, Dr. James O. Cook of Lebanon, Ky., and new vice president, Dr. Gary S. Brown of Princeton, W.Va.

• Moving beyond unintentional intolerance

  Several years ago, Steve L. Robbins, PhD, coined the term "unintentional intolerance" to define biases of which we're unaware.

• Bayer Bayou Bash offers a taste of New Orleans

  Purple, green, gold, and white beads festooned ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages at the Bayer Bayou Bash on Sunday night.

• Wildlife hospital, department conserve alligators and more

  Dr. Javier G. Nevarez spends his days studying captive alligators that have contracted West Nile virus—as well as rehabilitating migratory birds that have collided with windows and examining black bears that died by gunshot.

• SAVMA House of Delegates gets down to business

  The Student AVMA House of Delegates met Sunday and Monday concurrently with the AVMA Annual Convention to review SAVMA projects, elect officers, and discuss issues facing the veterinary profession.

• Pickering honored for support in Congress

  Mississippi Congressman Chip Pickering received the first AVMA Advocacy Award Sunday at the Association's PAC luncheon.

• Fort Dodge Final Fling features comedian Rocky Laporte

  Rocky LaPorte will perform stand-up comedy at the Fort Dodge Final Fling from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight.

• Tune in to New Orleans

  Do you like music? If so, New Orleans is the place for you.

• A convention regular

  One attendee on familiar ground at the AVMA Annual Convention is Dr. W. Eugene Lloyd—after all, he has attended almost every single meeting since 1962.

• Analyst didn't see McCain-Obama race coming

  Charles Cook was short on predictions about the presidential race when he spoke at the AVMA Political Action Committee Congressional Luncheon on Sunday.

• Students struggle under debt load

  To become a practitioner of veterinary medicine requires a lot of compassion—and a lot of money.

• Be a CATalyst

  This afternoon, the Companion Animal Medicine track in animal behavior features presentations about CATalyst—a national initiative to champion cats in light of troubling statistics released by the AVMA that indicate the U. S. cat population has increased but the number of associated veterinary visits has declined.

• Crime scene investigation: veterinarians are naturals

  Eighty-eight percent of veterinarians have seen cases of animal cruelty, according to Dr. Melinda D. Merck, forensic veterinarian for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

• AVMA moving forward on animal welfare

  The AVMA is working to become proactive rather than reactive in the field of animal welfare, said Dr. Gail C. Golab, director of the AVMA Animal Welfare Division

• Speaker discusses new Humane Society VMA

  The new Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association will focus on the protection of animal health and the relief of animal suffering—the first two subjects of the Veterinarian's Oath—said Andrew N. Rowan, PhD, executive vice president for operations at the Humane Society of the United States.

• Shooting stars

  Covey Rise Lodge in Covington, La., was the venue for this year's AVMA sporting clays competition, sponsored by Merial Ltd., Butler Animal Health Supply, Antech Diagnostics, and Wedgewood Village Pharmacy.

• State legislators start meeting today at convention center

  As the 145th AVMA Annual Convention draws to a close, another meeting of interest to the veterinary profession is starting in the same convention center—the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual summit.

• Channel surfing

  Today's stories on the AVMA Convention News television program include interviews with Dr. Javier G. Nevarez, director of the Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana at Louisiana State University, and Dr. Gail C. Golab, director of the AVMA's Animal Welfare Division.

• Zoos have role in disease surveillance

  Zoos and wildlife are important yet often overlooked components of disease surveillance programs protecting public health, according to Dr. Dominic Travis, vice president of conservation and science at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

• State veterinarian's duties wide ranging

  From pet turtles to emergency preparedness, Dr. Henry Moreau's job as Louisiana state veterinarian involves a wide spectrum of responsibilities.

• One health resonates with state public health veterinarian

  Dr. Gary Balsamo lives the one-health concept in his daily activities as Louisiana's public health veterinarian.

• Convention Sponsors

   

Return to previous page