Congressional fellows’ appointments announced

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The AVMA announced in October the placements of the Association’s three 2012-2013 Congressional Science Fellows.
 
Drs. Tristan Colonius, Donald Hoenig, and Kaylee Myhre are working, respectively, in the office of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, the office of Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, and the minority staff office of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
 
The AVMA Congressional Science Fellowship Program is run in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. During their yearlong assignments, AVMA fellows provide science-based expertise and knowledge on a variety of policy issues related to agriculture, appropriations, food safety, biosecurity, and health care.
 
“AVMA fellows are respected on Capitol Hill because of the knowledge, experience, and leadership abilities that these veterinarians bring with them,” said Dr. Mark Lutschaunig, AVMA Governmental Relations Division director. “Our fellows provide vital and necessary veterinary expertise that assists policymakers to make informed and scientifically based decisions.”
 
Dr. Colonius is working on agriculture, food safety, and public health issues for Sen. Gillibrand. He is a 2011 graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and a former AVMA GRD extern. Prior to accepting the AVMA fellowship, Dr. Colonius worked for the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
 
Prior to Dr. Hoenig’s appointment to Sen. Collins’ office, he was the state veterinarian for Maine. He is dealing primarily with issues pertaining to agriculture, food safety, and public health for the senator as well as matters concerning homeland security and fisheries. Dr. Hoenig received his VMD degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1978.
 
Dr. Myhre is spending her fellowship year in the minority staff office of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs working on a global health portfolio with an emphasis on foreign assistance in food safety and biosecurity. She is a 2012 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
 
For more information on the AVMA Congressional Science Fellowship, visit www.avma.org/fellowship or email fellowshipatavma [dot] org (fellowship[at]avma[dot]org).