Carlson, Strother carry the day

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Dr. Carlson
Dr. René A. Carlson
Dr. Strother
Dr. Jan K. Strother

Dr. René A. Carlson was elected 2010-2011 AVMA president-elect by the House of Delegates July 30, becoming only the third woman in the Association's 147-year history to hold the office.

Delegates also elected Dr. Jan K. Strother to a two-year term as AVMA vice president.

Neither candidate was opposed, and each was elected by unanimous ballot.

Dr. Carlson is a small animal practice owner from Chetek, Wis., and a 1978 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. She has volunteered in the AVMA for several years, representing Wisconsin in the HOD for eight years and serving as AVMA vice president.

For the past four years, Dr. Carlson has represented private clinical practice on the AVMA Council on Education, but she resigned from the council following her selection as president-elect. The Wisconsin VMA nominated Dr. Carlson for the position of president-elect.

Accompanied by her husband, Mark, also a veterinarian, Dr. Carlson said, "This is an honor, and I thank you so much for the trust you've placed in me for what is indeed a rare, unique opportunity to influence veterinary medicine in this capacity."

As AVMA vice president, Dr. Strother is the AVMA liaison to the Student AVMA and student chapters and is a voting member of the AVMA Executive Board. She was nominated by the Alabama VMA.

A 1986 graduate of the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Strother is founder and hospital director of a companion and exotic animal practice in Hartselle, Ala. She has been a member of the AVMA HOD since 2000 and was elected to the former AVMA Council on Public Relations in 1994, serving a term as council chair.

Dr. Strother thanked her family, including her husband, Dr. Michael E. Newman, and said, "You've given me the privilege of becoming vice president, the very best job in the AVMA. Thank you for allowing me to play a role in strengthening and nurturing the bond and relationship with the veterinary students in SAVMA. They are the future leaders of AVMA and the future of our profession."