Donlin and Simmons depart AVMA

Dr. Janet D. Donlin resigned as AVMA assistant executive vice president, effective Aug. 1, and accepted a position as chief of the Veterinary Business Channel with Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.

"It's been an honor and a pleasure to have worked for the AVMA these past 16 years," Dr. Donlin said. "I have particularly appreciated the opportunity to work with the dedicated AVMA staff and volunteer leadership. They are all amazing individuals and deserve special recognition for the time they devote for the benefit of the membership. It's folks like this that truly make the AVMA the great organization that it is.

"As for my new position, Hill's is an outstanding organization and has always been such a strong partner of the profession and the AVMA—I'm very much looking forward to my new role as chief of the Veterinary Business Channel."

In October 1991, Dr. Donlin joined the AVMA as an assistant director in the Scientific Activities Division. Five years later, AVMA Executive Vice President Bruce W. Little named Dr. Donlin associate executive vice president. She was a trustee (ex officio) to the AVMA Group Health and Life Insurance Trust and staff consultant to the Judicial Council.

Dr. Donlin also served as interim CEO for the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues, for which she received the AVMA President's Award in 2001. The board elected her to assistant executive vice president in June 2004.

At Hill's, Dr. Donlin will be the company's strategic liaison to the veterinary profession in North America. She will be responsible for academic affairs, technical information services, scientific affairs, veterinary consultation services, professional affairs, and veterinary strategic initiatives.

"With her wealth of experience at the AVMA, academia, and in veterinary practice medicine, Dr. Donlin is a great asset to Hill's and the veterinary profession," said Justin Skala, president of Hill's Pet Nutrition, North America. "We are excited to have her join us and look forward to welcoming her to the Hill's family."

Prior to joining the AVMA, Dr. Donlin was director of the Veterinary Technology Program at the University of Minnesota and was assistant professor of Veterinary Technology for two years. Previously, she was program director in the Veterinary Technology Program at the Medical Institute of Minnesota. Dr. Donlin graduated with a DVM degree from the University of Minnesota and worked in practice for 10 years concurrent with her teaching veterinary technicians.

Simmons steps down as head of AVMA education and research

After 11 years as director of the AVMA Education and Research Division, Dr. Donald G. Simmons retired from the Association July 31 to move to North Carolina with his family.

Dr. Simmons joined the AVMA in 1996 to head up the newly formed Education and Research Division. In addition to accompanying the AVMA Council on Education on numerous site visits to domestic and foreign veterinary schools, he was instrumental in the AVMA's securing reciprocity agreements with Canada and Great Britain that allowed U.S.-trained veterinarians to practice abroad.

"In my opinion, Don Simmons was instrumental in solidifying the Council on Education as the premier accrediting agency in our profession," observed Dr. H. Fred Troutt, immediate past chair of the COE.

"As director of the division and mentor to the council, Don worked to assure the continued integrity, rigor, and fairness of our accrediting process. He did this with a wonderful combination of historical perspective, vision for our standards, integrity for our process, and courtesy, openness, and fairness toward the schools and colleges the COE accredits or advised on accreditation matters. Don's professional talents will be sorely missed on the COE."

Before coming to the AVMA, Dr. Simmons had been head of the Department of Veterinary Science at Pennsylvania State University. He had also been involved in research, teaching, and planning the new veterinary college at North Carolina State University, chairing the Curriculum Committee and the Research and Graduate Education Committee.

"I have enjoyed my years at the AVMA," Dr. Simmons said. "The new leadership will continue the AVMA's evolution as a 21st century association."