Affiliated groups meet in Boston

Forty allied and other veterinary-related organizations and 30 alumni groups from colleges and schools of veterinary medicine convened this July at the 152nd AVMA Annual Convention in Boston.

These groups engaged in a wide variety of activities during the convention, including lectures, certification examinations, business meetings, workshops, and social gatherings. Many of the organizations co-sponsored the AVMA’s educational sessions.

The following highlights the activities and honors reported by some of these organizations.

Avian pathologists

Event: American Association of Avian Pathologists Inc. meeting, July 11-14, Boston
Awards: Special Service Award: Dr. Bruce Stewart-Brown, Salisbury, Maryland, for outstanding contributions to the field of avian medicine. A 1985 graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Stewart-Brown serves as chief veterinarian and senior vice president of food safety, quality, and live operations at Perdue Farms. He is a diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians and a past president of the AAAP. Phibro Animal Health Excellence in Poultry Research Award: Dr. Siba Samal, Hyattsville, Maryland, for sustained excellence in poultry disease and health for 20 years or more. Dr. Samal earned his veterinary degree from the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology in India in 1976 and his doctorate in molecular virology from Texas A&M University in 1985. He serves as an associate dean of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and is a professor and chair of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dr. Samal is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists. Lasher-Bottorff Award: Dr. H.L. Shivaprasad, Fresno, California, won this award, given in recognition of an avian diagnostician or technical services veterinarian who has made important contributions to the poultry health program in North America over the past 10 years. Dr. Shivaprasad earned his veterinary degree from the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bangalore, India, in 1969, and his doctorate in physiology and genetics from The Ohio State University in 1977. A diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, he is a professor of avian pathology with the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, Tulare branch. Bruce W. Calnek Applied Poultry Research Achievement Award: Holly Sellers, PhD, Watkinsville, Georgia, for research contributions resulting directly or indirectly in a measurable, practical impact on the control of one or more major diseases of poultry. Dr. Sellers earned her doctorate in medical microbiology from the University of Georgia in 1998. She is a professor in the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Bayer-Snoeyenbos New Investigator Award: Dr. John Dunn, East Lansing, Michigan, for research contributions to the field of avian medicine. Dr. Dunn received his veterinary degree from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003 and his doctorate in pathology, also from MSU, in 2009. He is a veterinary medical officer in the Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Outstanding Field Case and/or Diagnostic Report Award: Dr. Silvia Carnaccini, Turlock, California. Dr. Carnaccini received her veterinary degree from the University of Bologna in Italy in 2012. She is a resident veterinarian with the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, Turlock branch. P.P. Levine Award, presented to the senior author of the best paper published in the AAAP journal, Avian Diseases: Dr. Haroldo Toro, Auburn, Alabama. Dr. Toro earned his veterinary degree from the University of Chile in 1983 and his doctorate in molecular virology from the University of Giessen in Germany in 1987. He is a professor of avian diseases in the Department of Pathobiology at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Reed Rumsey Student Award: Dr. Seiche Genger, Raleigh, North Carolina, a 2012 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Eric Parent, St. Bernard, Quebec, a 2013 graduate of the University of Montreal Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Richard B. Rimler Memorial Paper Scholarship: Dr. Stivalis Cardenas Garcia, Athens, Georgia, a 2008 graduate of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. L. Dwight Schwartz Travel Scholarship: Eric Shepherd, Athens, Georgia. Shepherd earned his master’s in poultry science from the University of Georgia in 2010. Arnold S. Rosenwald Student Poster Award: Matthew Moreau, PhD, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, won in the category of basic research. Dr. Moreau earned his doctorate in pathobiology from Pennsylvania State University in 2015. Blanca Lopez de Juan Abad, Cary, New York, won in the category of applied research. She earned a bachelor’s in biology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 2015. Eskelund Preceptorship Awards: Shalette Dingle, Cornell University; Clarence Ducummon, University of Oklahoma; Marissa Garry, University of Oklahoma; Elsie Gerken, The University of Findlay; Kristie McLaughlin, Ross University; Ed Metzger, University of Guelph; Callie Pierce, North Carolina State University; Jessica Poindexter, Washington State University; Racheal Redman, Western University of Health Sciences; Abigail Reith, University of Missouri-Columbia; Marie Severyn, The Ohio State University; and Allison Watson, Colorado State University. AAAP Foundation Poultry Scholarship: Brandon Armwood, North Carolina State University; Valerie Marcano, University of Georgia; Callie Pierce, North Carolina State University; Rachel Redman, Western University of Health Sciences; Sara Reichelt, North Carolina State University; Laura Tensa, Oregon State University; and Jessica Walters, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Officials: Drs. Robert Porter, North Oaks, Minnesota, president; Hector Cervantes, Watkinsville, Georgia, president-elect; Charles L. Hofacre, Athens, Georgia, executive vice president; Suzanne Dougherty, Madison, Alabama, executive vice president–elect; Francene Van Sambeek, Cullman, Alabama, immediate past president; Eva Wallner-Pendleton, Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, Northeast director; Eric Jensen, Elkmont, Alabama, Southern director; Bernard Beckman, Earlham, Iowa, Central director; Victoria Bowes, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Western director; and directors-at-large—Drs. Ian Rubinoff, Urbandale, Iowa, and Martine Boulianne, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
Contact: Janece Bevans-Kerr, Director of Member Services, American Association of Avian Pathologists, 12627 San Jose Blvd., Suite 202, Jacksonville, FL 32223; phone, 904-425-5735; email, aaapaaap [dot] info (aaap[at]aaap[dot]info); website

Industry veterinarians

Event: American Association of Industry Veterinarians meeting, July 13, Boston
Business: The AAIV, which advances the professional standards of veterinarians involved in industry or other nonclinical practice, changed and updated its bylaws. Discussions were held on future webinars. Dr. Rena Carlson-Lammers, representing AVMA District XI, spoke about activities of the AVMA Board of Directors.
Officials: Drs. Silene St. Bernard, Long Beach, California, president; Cori Gross, Bellevue, Washington, president-elect; Debra Nickelson, Kansas City, Missouri, secretary; Richard Hartigan, Fredericksburg, Virginia, treasurer; and James Freeman, Franklin, North Carolina, immediate past president
Contact: Dr. Debra Nickelson, Secretary, American Association of Industry Veterinarians, 13800 NW 79th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64152; phone, 816-460-6297; email, dnickelsonpetag [dot] com (dnickelson[at]petag[dot]com); website

Small ruminant practitioners

Event: American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners meeting, July 11, Boston
Awards: Donald E. Bailey Practitioner of the Year: Dr. Paula Menzies, Guelph, Ontario. A 1978 graduate of the University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College, Dr. Menzies serves as an associate professor of ruminant health management at the OVC. She is a diplomate of the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management and vice president of the International Sheep Veterinary Association.
Business: It was noted that the association has 1,039 members. A partnership with AmazonSmile allows a portion of the purchase price of eligible products on its website, smile.amazon.com, to go toward the Samuel Gus Educational Fund. The fund, managed by the AASRP, funds veterinary student experiences with small ruminant species via externships.
Officials: Drs. Patty B. Scharko, Columbia, South Carolina, president; Dale Duerr, New Philadelphia, Ohio, president-elect; Susan Myers, Coopersville, Michigan, secretary; Joan Dean Rowe, Davis, California, immediate past president; and Joan S. Bowen, Wellington, Colorado, AVMA delegate
Contact: Dr. Michelle Kutzler, Public Relations and Communications Committee Chair, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, 112 Withycombe Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331; phone, 541-737-1401; email, michelle [dot] kutzleroregonstate [dot] edu (michelle[dot]kutzler[at]oregonstate[dot]edu); website

Veterinary parasitologists

Event: American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists meeting, July 11-14, Boston
Awards: AAVP-Merial Distinguished Veterinary Parasitologist Award: Dr. Michael W. Dryden, Manhattan, Kansas, for outstanding contributions to the advancement of veterinary parasitology. Dr. Dryden received his veterinary degree from Kansas State University in 1984 and his doctorate in veterinary parasitology from Purdue University in 1990. He is a professor of veterinary parasitology in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Dryden’s research focuses on flea and tick biology and control, investigating urban wildlife as vectors of parasitic diseases, and diagnosis and control of gastrointestinal parasites. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiology. AAVP-Merck Outstanding Graduate Student Award: Anne Barrett, Oklahoma State University, for her work on novel spotted fever group Rickettsia species in ticks, dogs, and people. AAVP-Companion Animal Parasite Council Graduate Student Award in Zoonotic Disease: Alice Lee, Cornell University, for her work on larval trapping in mice infected with Toxocara canis and the results of concomitant pre-existing infections with Toxoplasma gondii. Best student oral presentation, sponsored by Bayer Animal Health: First place ($500)—Chanel Schwartzentruber, University of Guelph. Second place ($300)—Melissa Miller, University of Georgia. Honorable mention—Jessica Scare, University of Kentucky; Emily McDermott, University of California-Riverside; Amy Murillo, University of California-Riverside; and Alice Houk, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Best student poster competition, sponsored by Elanco: First place ($500)—Elizabeth Shepherd, West Virginia University. Second place ($300)—Dr. Yoko Nagamori, Oklahoma State University. Honorable mention—Mary Maclean, University of Georgia; Carly Barone, University of Rhode Island; Lindsay Porter, Texas A&M University; and Victoria Demello, University of Georgia. Young investigator travel grants were awarded to 36 students to enable them to attend the meeting and present their abstracts as part of the scientific program.
Officials: Dr. Ray M. Kaplan, Athens, Georgia, president; Timothy G. Geary, PhD, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, president-elect and program chair; Dante S. Zarlenga, PhD, Beltsville, Maryland, vice president; Dr. Doug Carithers, Duluth, Georgia, secretary-treasurer; Dr. Andrew S. Peregrine, Guelph, Ontario, immediate past president; Alan Marchiondo, PhD, Santa Fe, New Mexico, program administrator; and graduate student representatives—Meriam Saleh, Blacksburg, Virginia, and Javier Garza, Morgantown, West Virginia
Contact: Dr. Doug Carithers, Secretary-Treasurer, American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists, 3239 Satellite Blvd., Duluth, GA 30096; phone, 770-331-6069; email, doug [dot] carithersmerial [dot] com (doug[dot]carithers[at]merial[dot]com); website

Veterinary toxicologists

Event: American Board of Veterinary Toxicology meeting, July 13, Boston
Awards: Service Award: Dr. Roger McClellan, Albuquerque, New Mexico, for outstanding service to the field of veterinary toxicology. A 1960 graduate of the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. McClellan is a consultant on issues related to human health risk analysis, inhalation toxicology, and strategic scientific business analysis and serves as editor-in-chief of the journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology. From 1988-1999, he was president and chief executive officer of the Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Earlier, Dr. McClellan served as president and director of what is now known as the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute in Albuquerque. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology and ABVT, a past president of the Society of Toxicology and American Association for Aerosol Research, and a past chair of the National Academies’ Committee on Toxicology. In 1990, Dr. McClellan became one of only a few veterinarians to be elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Veterinary Student Paper Competition: First place: Olivia Swailes, Purdue University, for “Use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to detect toxins and toxicants for veterinary diagnostic toxicology”; second place: Dr. Alisha Worth, North Carolina State University, for “Diphenhydramine exposure in dogs: 621 Cases (2008-2013)”; and third place: Dr. Lexi McGilvray, Washington State University, for “Ciguatera toxicosis, trouble in paradise”
New diplomates: Five new diplomates were welcomed following successful completion of the certifying examination. The new diplomates are as follows:

Adrienne Bautista, Davis, California
Jarrod Butler, Phoenix
Rhian Cope, Woden, Australia
Genevieve Fent, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Sandra James-Yi, Crystal Lake, Illinois

Officials: Drs. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, Mahomet, Illinois, president; Tim Evans, Columbia, Missouri, president-elect; Mary Schell, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, secretary; John Tegzes, Pomona, California, treasurer; and Konnie Plumlee, Gainesville, Missouri, immediate past president
Contact: Dr. Mary Schell, Secretary, American Board of Veterinary Toxicology, 890 Valley View Drive, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403; phone, 217-337-9749; email, mary [dot] schellaspca [dot] org (mary[dot]schell[at]aspca[dot]org); website

Poultry veterinarians

Event: American College of Poultry Veterinarians meeting, July 11-14, Boston
Business: The college will be changing its bylaws. The ACPV Recertification Committee was established and will review continuing education completed by candidates for recertification. The process of revising the ACPV certification examination and establishing new cut scores was completed.
New diplomates: Eight new diplomates were welcomed into the ACPV. They are as follows:

Elizabeth Dale, Athens, Georgia
Thomas A. Gaydos, Dallas
Christina Lindsey, Knightdale, North Carolina
Kevin S. Maschek, Brandon, Mississippi
Martha Pulido-Landinez, Brandon, Mississippi
Yuko Sato, West Lafayette, Indiana
Sarah Tilley, Clarksville, Georgia
Yun-Ting Wang, Atlanta

Officials: Drs. Becky J. Tilley, Goldsboro, North Carolina, president; Ken Opengart, Madison, Alabama, president-elect; Karen B. Grogan, Dacula, Georgia, executive vice president; and Samuel Christenberry, Cullman, Alabama, immediate past president
Contact: Janece Bevans-Kerr, Director of Member Services, American College of Poultry Veterinarians, 12627 San Jose Blvd., Suite 202, Jacksonville, FL 32223; phone, 904-425-5735; email, aaapaaap [dot] info (aaap[at]aaap[dot]info); website

Veterinary preventive medicine

Event: American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine meeting, July 12, Boston
Awards: Helwig-Jennings Award: Dr. Scott Cornwell, Fort Meyers, Florida, for outstanding and prolonged service to the ACVPM. A 1982 graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Cornwell practices at Viscaya Prado Veterinary Hospital in Cape Coral, Florida. He also serves as a courtesy associate professor in the Department of Global Health at the University of South Florida College of Public Health and is a guest professor at the University of Sarajevo Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Earlier in his career, Dr. Cornwell was an Army veterinarian for several years. He is a diplomate of the ACVPM. Distinguished Diplomate Award: Dr. Leo Cropper, San Antonio, for significant contributions to the specialty of veterinary preventive medicine. A 1974 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Cropper is director of trainee health surveillance at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Earlier in his career, he served several years in the Air Force in public health and was a consultant to the Air Force surgeon general. Dr. Cropper is a diplomate of the ACVPM. Frank A. Todd President’s Award: Dr. Brian McCluskey, Littleton, Colorado, for meritorious service to the college. Dr. McCluskey earned his veterinary degree from the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1987 and a doctorate in epidemiology from Colorado State University in 2003. He has served as chief epidemiologist for the Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Veterinary Services since 2011. During his career with the USDA, Dr. McCluskey has also directed the National Surveillance Unit and Veterinary Services Western Region. He is a diplomate of the ACVPM.
Business: The college has a new website that, along with Facebook and LinkedIn pages, will help increase visibility to diplomates and members of the public. It was noted that using ExamSoft software for the first time this year to administer the certification examination was successful. The ACVPM trademark project was completed.
New diplomates: Fifty-six new diplomates were welcomed into the college following successful completion of the certifying examination. The new diplomates are as follows:

Tara Anderson, Atlanta
Hayley Ashbaugh, Franklin, Ohio
John Beach, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Amanda Burling, Columbia, Missouri
Stacie Cannon, Nashville, Tennessee
Thomas Carey, Canton, Michigan
Kristina Cataline, San Mateo, California
Alicia Cawlfield, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Bradley Christensen, Kaycee, Wyoming
Mary Donahue, Minneapolis
Adrienne Dunham, Longview, Texas
Laura Earle-Imre, Melbourne, Florida
Cynthia Facciolla, Winters, California
Mark Freedman, Atlanta
Matthew French, Olympia, Washington
Erin Frey, Raleigh, North Carolina
Susan Gale, Phoenix
Jarod Hanson, Athens, Georgia
Romina Hennig, Alexandria, Virginia
Dennis Horter, Savage, Minnesota
David Hustead, Overland Park, Kansas
Elizabeth James, Corvallis, Oregon
Vanmathy Kasimanickam, Pullman, Washington
Andrew Kay, Vancouver, Washington
Craig Kiebler, Oakland, California
Noel Kubat, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Sang Lee, Bel Air, Maryland
Kelvin Lim, Singapore
Sarah Luciano, San Antonio
Anna Lyons-Nace, Fairfield, Iowa
Andrea Maceri, Woodstock, Georgia
Gabriele Maier, Woodland, California
Kyle Malter, Smithville, Missouri
Charles Marchand, Copperas Cove, Texas
Sean McCaul, St. Joseph, Missouri
Amanda McGuire, Fort Collins, Colorado
Manuel Moro, Clarksburg, Maryland
Sara Mullaney, Fort Collins, Colorado
Gleeson Murphy, Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
Dusty Odekoven, Pierre, South Dakota
Tina Parker, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Sandi Parriott, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Lauren Pecher, Fort Collins, Colorado
Alda Pires, Davis, California
Cara Reiter, State College, Pennsylvania
Caitlin Rizzo, Cameron, North Carolina
Joshua Schaeffer, Columbia, Missouri
Stacy Schwabenlander, Roseville, Minnesota
Terry Slaten, Cullman, Alabama
Sean Stockwell, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Suzanne Tomasi, Springfield, Ohio
James Watson, Madison, Mississippi
Amanda White, El Segundo, California
Michelle Willette, Lakeville, Minnesota
Elizabeth Williams, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Wanda Wilson, Washington, D.C.

Officials: Drs. Scott Brooks, Chicago, president; Marianne Ash, Lafayette, Indiana, president-elect; Tom Doker, Aiken, South Carolina, secretary-treasurer; Candace L. McCall, Summerfield, Florida, executive vice president; Mo Salman, Fort Collins, Colorado, immediate past president; Susan Trock, Atlanta, Specialty of Epidemiology president; and councilors—Drs. Paul Garbe, Atlanta; Armando Hoet, Columbus, Ohio; and Tom Berg, Richland, Michigan
Contact: Dr. Candace L. McCall, Executive Vice President, American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, 14275 S. Highway 475, Summerfield, FL 34491; phone, 210-382-5400; email, preventionfirstgmail [dot] com (preventionfirst[at]gmail[dot]com); website

Veterinary medical association executives

Event: American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives meeting, July 10, Boston
Awards: Executive of the Year: Charlene Wandzilak, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, for exemplifying the best in association management and continually bringing credit to the profession and the association community. Wandzilak has served as executive director of the Pennsylvania VMA for the past 15 years. During her tenure, the association has seen financial growth, a substantial increase in membership, and the addition of new services, including its own insurance company, pvmaAssure. Wandzilak is a past president of the ASVMAE. Distinguished Service Award: David Foley, Lexington, Kentucky, for exceptional service to the ASVMAE, demonstrating initiative, integrity, and commitment in serving the veterinary profession and association colleagues. Executive director of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Foley is a past president of the ASVMAE and has served on and chaired several of the society’s committees and task forces. Best in Business Award: The Oregon VMA won this award, given in recognition of successful programs and projects by VMAs that are making positive impacts on the veterinary medical industry. The Oregon VMA has played an active role in addressing concerns related to veterinary prescriptions and human pharmacies. After much discussion with veterinarians, the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, and resources such as the AVMA, the association created materials for its members to help provide them a better perspective on the role of pharmacies in relation to veterinary prescriptions. The association also created informational and educational materials for the OBP to distribute to licensed pharmacists and for veterinarians to provide to clients.
Officials: Adrian Hochstadt, Schaumburg, Illinois, president; Candace Joy, Issaquah, Washington president-elect; Deloris Green Gaines, Fayetteville, Tennessee, secretary; Dan Tjornehoj, South St. Paul, Minnesota, treasurer; and Dina Michel, Hastings, Nebraska, immediate past president
Contact: Adrian Hochstadt, President, American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives, 1931 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173; phone, 800-248-2862, ext. 6780; email, ahochstadtavma [dot] org (ahochstadt[at]avma[dot]org); website

Veterinary epidemiologists

Event: American Veterinary Epidemiology Society meeting, July 13, Boston
Awards: Karl F. Meyer–James H. Steele Gold Headed Cane Award, sponsored by Hartz Mountain Corporation: Dr. Isabel de Kantor, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Thomas P. Monath, MD, Townsend, Massachusetts, for outstanding lifetime contributions to veterinary epidemiology and public health. Dr. de Kantor earned a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Buenos Aires in 1971. Prior to retirement in 1997, she was head of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Reference Laboratory for Mycobacteria in Buenos Aires. Earlier in her career, Dr. de Kantor headed the tuberculosis laboratory at the Pan American Zoonosis Center in Azul, Argentina. Dr. Monath earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1966. He serves as chief scientific officer and chief operations officer for BioProtection Systems Corp., a subsidiary of NewLink Genetics Corp. With years of experience as a virologist and vaccinologist, Dr. Monath is working on a new Ebola vaccine. Honorary diplomas, sponsored by Hartz Mountain Corp., were given to Drs. René Carlson, Chetek, Wisconsin; Bruce Akey, College Station, Texas; Gopal Reddy, Tuskegee, Alabama; Ted Cohn, Lone Tree, Colorado; Jonna Ann Kenner Mazet, Davis, California; Jacqueline Smith, Lexington, Kentucky; Charles Muscoplat, Minneapolis; Cheryl Stroud, Apex, North Carolina; and Timothy Stevenson, Washington, D.C.
Business: The AVES unveiled its first-ever website at the meeting, and launched the James H. Steele One Health Track during the AVMA Annual Convention. The association plans to fund student speaker awards for the one-health track in the future. It was announced that the second edition of the James H. Steele biography will be available for purchase soon, with all proceeds going to the association to help sustain future programs. Dr. Craig N. Carter will assume the role of president for a five-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2016.
Officials: Drs. Charles O. Thoen, Ames, Iowa, president; Konrad Eugster, College Station, Texas, vice president; Craig N. Carter, Lexington, Kentucky, president-elect and executive director; Georgette Wilson, Secaucus, New Jersey, secretary; George W. Beran, Ames, Iowa, immediate past president; and board members—Drs. Lonnie King, Columbus, Ohio; Saul Wilson, Tuskegee, Alabama; George W. Beran, Ames, Iowa; and Bruce Kaplan, Sarasota, Florida
Contact: Dr. Craig N. Carter, President-Elect and Executive Director, American Veterinary Epidemiology Society, P.O. Box 11093, Lexington, KY 40512; phone, 859-321-4890; email, craig [dot] carteruky [dot] edu (craig[dot]carter[at]uky[dot]edu)

Veterinary history society

Event: American Veterinary Medical History Society meeting, July 11, Boston
Program: The past president of the AVMHS, Dr. Helen Wojcinski, presided over the meeting. The theme of this year’s speaker program, held July 13 as part of the AVMA’s continuing education sessions, was “Veterinary History: Some Massachusetts Connections.” Dr. Howard H. Erickson, Manhattan, Kansas, spoke on “The History of the Boston Veterinary Institute and Early Presidents of the United States Veterinary Medical Association”; Dr. Phyllis Larsen, Ithaca, New York, and Susanne K. Whitaker, Ithaca, New York, read “The Short Existence of the Harvard University Veterinary Department and Middlesex University School of Veterinary Medicine” on behalf of Dr. Henry E. Childers, Cranston, Rhode Island; Sarah M. Oates (Wisconsin ’16), spoke on “Uncloaking Cognitive Decline: The Emergence of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Veterinary Medicine and Its Implications for Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease”; and Dr. Basil P. Tangredi, Poultney, Vermont, spoke on “Laboratory of Reform: The New England Experiment to Control Bovine Tuberculosis 1894-1900.” The AVMHS booth featured the poster “A Life with Animals: Florence Kimball ’10, D.V.M., R.N.” Dr. Kimball, a 1910 graduate of Cornell University and a native of Massachusetts, actively worked with animals while serving as a nurse in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Awards: J. Fred Smithcors Student Veterinary History Essay Contest, sponsored by the Donaldson Charitable Trust: First place ($1,200)—Jennifer Yu (California-Davis ’16), for “West of West Nile: A virus conquers the new world”; second place ($1,000 each)—Ellen Kim (Kansas State ’17), for “The great cattle plague and Dr. John Gamgee: The need for historical perspective on trade and public health policy”; and Alexander Neale (Tufts ’17), for “In sickness and in health: A marriage of veterinary and human medicine, 1866-1881”; and fourth place ($500)—Stephanie Liao (Kansas State ’17), for “Furry valor: Tactical dogs of World War I and II.”
Business: Discussions were held on activities to be completed in the coming year, including the program and the possibility of a tour of historical sites in the San Antonio area during the next annual meeting, held in conjunction with the 2016 AVMA Annual Convention. Discussions were also held on how the World Association for the History of Veterinary Medicine uses dues paid by national member organizations; itemizing the cost of producing issues and increasing the number of original research articles for the AVMHS journal, Veterinary Heritage; and problems related to updating and redesigning the society’s website. For the first time this year, members were sent a postcard outlining the meeting program. The postcard featured an 1884 engraving of the Harvard University School of Veterinary Medicine. The society considered the idea of producing a similar card each year. It was observed that an amendment is needed to the AVMHS bylaws requiring that speakers for the AVMA Annual Convention be determined a year in advance since the AVMA plans its CE program well ahead of time. Reports of ongoing AVMHS activities were presented, including information on the society’s Registry of Heritage Veterinary Practices that honors veterinary hospitals and clinics nationwide that are more than 50 years old. It was noted that several AVMHS members attended the 41st International Congress of the World Association for the History of Veterinary Medicine held in September 2014 in London.
Officials: Dr. Boris Brglez, Frederick, Maryland, president; Dr. Peter W. Cowen, Raleigh, North Carolina, program chair/president-elect; Susanne K. Whitaker, Ithaca, New York, secretary-treasurer; Dr. Ronnie G. Elmore, Manhattan, Kansas, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Drs. Ana Alcaraz, Claremont, California; Lisa Cox, Guelph, Ontario; and Cynthia Hoobler, Friendswood, Texas
Contact: Susanne K. Whitaker, Secretary-Treasurer, American Veterinary Medical History Society, 23 Wedgewood Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850; phone, 607-257-9248; email, skw2cornell [dot] edu (skw2[at]cornell[dot]edu); website

Veterinary medical colleges

Event: Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, July 13, Boston
Business: Dr. Cyril Clarke, AAVMC liaison to the AVMA Council on Education, updated members on recent activities associated with the council. Dr. Trevor Ames, AAVMC immediate past president, discussed recent action taken by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons to assess an administrative fee on all surgical residency-training programs. Dr. Rebecca Stinson, AVMA vice-president, provided an update on the AVMA’s activities. Jennifer Ryan of Harvard University’s Office for Academic and Research Integrity presented “Conflicts of Interest in Medical Research and Education.”
Officials: Dr. Eleanor M. Green, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, president; Dr. Douglas Freeman, University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine, president-elect; Dr. Jean Sander, Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, secretary; Dr. Mark Markel, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, treasurer; Dr. Trevor Ames, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, immediate past president; Dr. James P. Thompson, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, at-large representative of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities; Madison Herrick, Western University of Health Sciences, at-large liaison to student chapters of the AVMA; Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe, Washington, D.C., executive director; and directors-at-large—Drs. Alistair Cribb, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Robert Dysko, University of Michigan Medical School; Michael Lairmore, University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine; David Argyle, University of Edinburgh The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies; and Sandra Bushmich, University of Connecticut
Contact: Jeanne Johnson, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, 1101 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 301, Washington, DC 20005; phone, 202-371-9195, ext. 144; email, jjohnsonaavmc [dot] org (jjohnson[at]aavmc[dot]org); website

Lesbian and gay association

Event: Lesbian and Gay VMA meeting, July 11, Boston
Program: Jeremy Pittman of the Human Rights Campaign presented the keynote address, “Is Marriage the End of the Road for LGBT Equality?” A panel comprised of Lisa Greenhill, EdD, Washington, D.C.; Dr. Malcolm Kram, Philadelphia; and Dr. Michael Chaddock, Okemos, Michigan, presented “How to Identify Culturally Diverse & LGBT Friendly Externships, Internships, & Practice Opportunities.” Dr. Barry Feldman, Boston, gave the lecture “Suicide Prevention: A Discussion for the Veterinary Profession.”
Awards: Leadership Award: Dr. Beth Sabin, Schaumburg, Illinois, won this award, given for outstanding leadership or community activism for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning people within the veterinary profession. Dr. Sabin is a 1992 graduate of the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and obtained her doctorate in immunology from Cornell University in 1997. She has served as associate director for international and diversity initiatives at the AVMA since 2012 and as staff consultant to the AVMA Committee on International Veterinary Affairs since it was established in 2007. She oversees the global area of the AVMA website. Dr. Sabin provides leadership with regard to LGBTQ issues, advocates for an open and inclusive profession, and helps promote development of nondiscrimination policies within the veterinary community. Achievement Award: Dr. Michael Chaddock, Okemos, Michigan, for his dedication to promoting LGBTQ acceptance, inclusion, and leadership within the veterinary community. A 1973 graduate of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Chaddock is associate dean for administration at the veterinary college and serves on the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Earlier in his career, he held positions as Michigan state veterinarian, director of the AVMA Governmental Relations Division, and assistant dean for one health and strategic initiatives at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. A founding member and vice president of the LGVMA, Dr. Chaddock provides mentorship and leadership empowerment for LGBTQ veterinary students, faculty, and staff.
Business: The LGVMA updated its mission statement and strategic focus. New strategies will concentrate on fighting discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in the veterinary profession, building collaborative networks for the LGBTQ veterinary community, and supporting LGBTQ veterinary students through mentorship, program development, and scholarships. The association also rolled out LGVMA 2.0, its newly designed website. The website includes a job opportunity section and discussion boards.
Officials: Dr. Sandy Hazanow, San Francisco, president; Dr. Michael Chaddock, Okemos, Michigan, vice president; Dr. Linda Detwiler, Millstone Township, New Jersey, secretary; Kevin Cain, Washington, D.C., treasurer; Dr. Wayne Hollingshead, Saint Clotilde de Horton, Quebec, immediate past president; Elyse Cherry, Grafton, Massachusetts, student representative; and members-at-large—Dr. Michael McGuill, Boston; Dr. Paige Carmichael, Athens, Georgia; and Kara Burns, Wamego, Kansas
Contact: Dr. Linda Detwiler, Secretary, Lesbian and Gay VMA, 584 Castro St. No. 492, San Francisco, CA 94114; phone, 206-222-5855; email, secretarylgvma [dot] org (secretary[at]lgvma[dot]org); website, lgvma.org/

Veterinary medical ethics

Event: Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics meeting, July 11, Boston
Awards: Robert Shomer Award: Awarded posthumously to Hal Markowitz, PhD, for leadership in creating enrichment programs for captive and zoo animals worldwide. Dr. Markowitz received his doctorate in behavior and physiology from Arizona State University in 1968. He was faculty specialist in environmental enrichment and animal well-being at the University of California-San Francisco and professor emeritus of biology at San Francisco State University. During his career, Dr. Markowitz also served as the first director of the Oregon Zoological Research Center and was research director at the San Francisco Zoo. Known for his research on marine mammals and primates, he worked to design better zoos for wildlife and to improve the lives of captive research animals. Dr. Markowitz authored the book “Behavioral Enrichment in the Zoo.” SVME-Alice Villalobos Student Essay Award, sponsored by Waltham: Emma Svenson, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Honorable mention—Abaigeal Mleziva, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Adeyemi Olayide Abraham, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Veterinary Technician Student Essay Award, sponsored by Waltham: Christine E. Kershaw, Alfred State College, Alfred, New York
Officials: Drs. William R. Folger, Houston, president; Alice Villalobos, Hermosa Beach, California, acting vice president; Lide Doffermyre, Wilmington, North Carolina, secretary; John Wright, St. Paul, Minnesota, treasurer; Thomas Edling, San Diego, immediate past president; and newly elected board members—Dr. Jessica Baron, Boston, and Laura Kahn, MD, New York
Contact: Dr. Alice Villalobos, Acting Vice President, Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics, 1947 Manhattan Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254; phone, 310-261-1015; email, dralicevaol [dot] com (dralicev[at]aol[dot]com); website