Small animal practitioner Dr. Roger K. Mahr announced his candidacy for 2005-2006 AVMA president-elect during the Candidates Introductory Breakfast, July 23, during the AVMA Annual Convention in Philadelphia.

Additionally, Dr. Mahr was elected chair of the AVMA Executive Board on July 28. District VII representative, Dr. Robert E. Hertzog, was elected vice chair.

Dr. Mahr envisions the future of veterinary medicine as full of great responsibilities and opportunities. Meeting those challenges and reaping the rewards, he said, will require the profession to be unified.

"As fellow leaders and colleagues of our profession, we can be justly proud of our rich heritage of over 141 years of organized veterinary medicine," Dr. Mahr said.

"Although it is certainly fitting to reflect on and honor our legacy, our tremendous accomplishments, and where we are today, it is far more important to keep looking to the future, knowing that our past will always be a part of our future."

Dr. Mahr received his DVM degree in 1971 from Iowa State University. Since 1974, Dr. Mahr has owned and operated an animal hospital in Geneva, Ill. He has been a member of the Illinois State and Chicago VMAs for more than 30 years and was president of both associations.

Additionally, he is a member of the Illinois Academy of Veterinary Medicine, and for eight years, he served on the Illinois Veterinary Licensing and Disciplinary Board, including two years as chairman.

On the national level, Dr. Mahr represents District VI on the AVMA Executive Board. Dr. Mahr also served a three-year term on the board of directors of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.

Dr. Mahr thinks of leadership as a responsibility as well as a privilege. "I have always considered serving our profession to be my obligation, and I certainly have accepted it as an honor to do so now," he said.