AVMA fellows take posts on Capitol Hill

The two 2010-2011 AVMA Congressional Science Fellows—Drs. Kathryn A. Simmons and Terry Ryan Kane—have taken posts on Capitol Hill.

In December, the AVMA announced Dr. Ryan Kane is working in the office of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Dr. Simmons had taken a position in the office of Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine.

Dr. Ryan Kane's position with Sen. Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, gives her the opportunity to work on issues closely related to the veterinary profession. "New York has thousands of dairy farms and small producers, so we are constantly tackling issues related to food production. In addition, the farm bill is coming up for renewal in 2012," Dr. Ryan Kane said.

"As an AVMA fellow I have the task of working on food safety issues, the judicious use of antibiotics in agriculture, biofuels, and conservation of resources. I am finding this work to be intellectually stimulating and very rewarding," she added.

Sen. Snowe is the ranking Republican member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. "As veterinarians, we are directly impacted by small business policy through the ownership and operation of our clinical veterinary practices. The legislative agenda regarding small business is relevant to the concerns of veterinarians who own veterinary practices and businesses in this country," Dr. Simmons said.

"The AVMA congressional fellowship experience has been very rewarding in terms of both my personal and professional growth. I am very appreciative of the opportunity to serve the AVMA in this way," Dr. Simmons explained.