Case picked to head AVMA Scientific Activities Division

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Dr. Heather Case

Dr. Heather Case was named director of the AVMA Scientific Activities Division in September. She succeeds Dr. Elizabeth A. Curry-Galvin, who was promoted to AVMA assistant executive vice president by the Executive Board.

As division head, Dr. Case is responsible for supervising the development of AVMA policies pertaining to public health, regulatory veterinary medicine, animal agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biologics, aquaculture, environmental health, and disaster and emergency preparedness and response.

"Dr. Case brings a rich background to the Scientific Activities Division director position," said AVMA CEO W. Ron DeHaven. "Her experience in private practice, in government, on Capitol Hill as an AVMA fellow, and for two years on our staff, combined with her interpersonal skills, make Dr. Case well suited to lead this important division."

Dr. Case has been with the AVMA since August 2007 when she was hired as an assistant director of the Scientific Activities Division. She oversaw the revamping of the AVMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Team program and assisted with policy coordination, education, and outreach.

As division director, Dr. Case will continue to work closely on the AVMA's emergency preparedness and response activities, including those of the Committee on Disaster and Emergency Issues and the VMAT program.

Dr. Case served as a member of VMAT-5 during Hurricane Katrina and was commander of shelter medicine at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Louisiana following the storm.

Other career highlights include an AVMA Science and Technology Policy Fellowship in the office of Rep. Robert E. Andrews of New Jersey from 2006-2007. Dr. Case was also an assistant state veterinarian on the Minnesota State Horse Racing Commission in 2006, and has experience as a clinical practitioner.

Dr. Case received her DVM degree in 1998 from the University of Minnesota, where she also earned her master's degree in public health in 2006. In addition, she completed an internship in large animal medicine and surgery at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph and was a postdoctoral fellow, clinical instructor, and veterinary public health resident at the University of Minnesota's Center for Animal Health and Food Safety.

In 2008, Dr. Case became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.

"I am thrilled with this opportunity and feel very fortunate to be able to serve AVMA members and the profession as director of the Scientific Activities Division," Dr. Case said. "I look forward to building on the division's solid foundation of articulating sound scientific policy from idea to implementation."

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