Assemblies

American College of Theriogenologists

Event: American College of Theriogenologists business meeting, Sept. 1, Seattle
Awards: The Theriogenologist of the Year Award, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., was presented to Dr. Margaret "Peggy" Root Kustritz, St. Paul, Minn., for excellence in promoting the discipline of theriogenology. Dr. Root Kustritz was recognized for her research on infertility in dogs and cats. She served as an editor for three textbooks in small animal theriogenology, won three awards from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine for excellence in teaching, and has provided numerous seminars to professional and lay audiences. Dr. Jimmy Alexander, Yazoo City, Miss., was presented the Dr. John Steiner Award for Excellence in Practice. Dr. Alexander was recognized for his expertise in bovine theriogenology.
Business: The journal Clinical Theriogenology, a joint effort of the ACT and Society for Theriogenology, has completed its first year of publication and continues to provide valuable information about theriogenology to its readers. The ACT board of directors approved a set of general information guidelines submitted by the ACT Credentialing Committee for the review of residency and training programs; the board also instructed that committee to develop a set of guidelines for recertification of new diplomates, with implementation in 2013. The Theriogenology Foundation, another joint effort between the ACT and SFT, reorganized its board and assets and developed a mission statement.
New diplomates: The college welcomed 11 new diplomates following successful completion of the certification examination.
The new diplomates are as follows:
Ghislaine Dujovne Hazon, Auburn, Ala.
Ryan Ferris, Fort Collins, Colo.
Heath King, Crawford, Miss.
Cindy Maenhoudt, Keerbergen, Belgium
Hernan Montilla, Corvallis, Ore.
Cynthia O'Connor, Plymouth, Mass.
Swanand Sathe, Urbana, Ill.
Simon Robinson, Congupna, Victoria, Australia
Jacobo Rodriguez, Palouse, Wash.
Valeria Tanco, Calgary, Alberta
Semira Mancill, Weatherford, Texas
Officials: Drs. Augustine Peter, West Lafayette, Ind., president; Steve Brinsko, College Station, Texas, president-elect; Claire Card, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, vice president; Stuart Meyers, Davis, Calif., treasurer; R. Bruce Hollett, Athens, Ga., secretary; and Charles Estill, Corvallis, Ore., immediate past president. Dr. Ram Kasimanickam, Pullman, Wash., was elected to the board of directors.
Contact: Dr. Charles Franz, Executive Director, American College of Theriogenologists, P.O. Box 3065, Montgomery, AL 36109; phone, (334) 395-4666; fax, (334) 270-3399; e-mail, charlesfranzmgt [dot] com (charles[at]franzmgt[dot]com); www.theriogenology.org.

Society for Theriogenology

Event: Society for Theriogenology annual conference, Aug. 31-Sept. 5, Seattle
Program: Plenary sessions featured "Reproductive applications for acupuncture" by Dr. Tim Holt and "Emerging diagnostic approaches for evaluation of fetal and pregnancy well-being in the mare" by Dr. Peter Ryan. The conference provided information on reproduction in horses, ruminants, camelids, and small animals. Thirty-eight scientific abstracts and eight veterinary student case presentations were given during various sessions at the conference. In addition, a poster session comprised four scientific abstracts and three student case presentations.
Awards: Dr. Robert Carson, Auburn, Ala., presented the David Bartlett Honorary Address. Dr. Carson was recognized for his research on infertility in bulls. Winners of the Dr. Jerry Rains Memorial Abstract Competition, sponsored by Intervet Schering-Plough Animal Health, were Dr. Natali Krekeler, Werribee, Victoria, Australia, "Differences in uterine canine β-defensin 1 expression during different stages of the estrous cycle," first place ($1,000); Dr. Chelly Goncalves Pinto, Columbus, Ohio, "The use of a simplified hormone protocol for nonovulating embryo recipient mares," second place ($750); Dr. Jose A. Len, Baton Rouge, La., "Low dose prostaglandin F_2α for luteal regression in the bitch," third place ($500); and Dr. Sarah Eaton, Williams Lake, British Columbia, "Toll-like receptor-2 mRNA expression in the endometrium of mares resistant and susceptible to endometritis," fourth place ($250). Winners of the veterinary student case presentation competition, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, were John Brinkerhoff, Texas A&M University, "Recovery of a stallion with a chronic scrotal hydro/pyocele and azoospermia," first place ($650); Heather Austin, Oklahoma State University, "Surgical correction of priapism in an 18-year-old Quarter Horse gelding," second place ($525); Kathryn Bray and Erica Himmelreich, University of Tennessee, "Diagnosis of pyometra in a male horned pygmy goat," third place ($450); Shawn Thomas, Iowa State University, "Prostatitis with abscessation in a castrated dog," fourth place ($375); Cindy Ast, North Carolina State University, "Monochorionic twin pregnancy reduction via trans-abdominal ultrasound-guided cardiac puncture in a mare," fifth place ($300); and Holly Kana, Texas A&M University, "Retrograde ejaculation in a stallion associated with tail-head trauma," sixth place ($200).
Business: The journal Clinical Theriogenology, a joint effort of the SFT and American College of Theriogenologists, has entered its second year of publication and continues to provide valuable theriogenology information to its readers. The Theriogenology Foundation, another joint effort between the SFT and ACT, reorganized its board and assets and developed a mission statement. The Theriogenology Foundation also disbursed funds to support the veterinary student case presentation competition ($400 to each of eight student presenters) and the ACT Educators Forum. Another successful auction helped raise funds for the foundation.
Officials: Drs. Richard Hopper, Mississippi State, Miss., president; Gary Warner, Elgin, Texas, president-elect; Scott Pretzer, Abilene, Kan., vice president; Herris Maxwell, Auburn, Ala., secretary-treasurer; and Thomas Riddle, Lexington, Ky., immediate past president. Newly elected members of the board of directors are Drs. David Christiansen, Mississippi State, Miss.; Melissa Goodman, Philadelphia; and Brian Whitlock, Knoxville, Tenn.
Contact: Dr. Charles Franz, Executive Director, Society for Theriogenology, SFT Association Office, P.O. Box 3007, Montgomery, AL 36109; phone, (334) 395-4666; fax, (334) 270-3399; e-mail, charlesfranzmgt [dot] com (charles[at]franzmgt[dot]com); www.therio.org.

Maryland VMA

Event: Annual meeting, June 26-29, Ocean City
Awards: Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. John P. O'Mara, Ellicott City, for dedicated and outstanding service to the MVMA, including service as the first "president's mentor," and his continued involvement with, and leadership of, the Legislative and Technicians committees. A 1970 graduate of the University of Georgia, Dr. O'Mara is the founder of Dunloggin Veterinary Hospital in Ellicott City and a founder of the Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Elkridge. He is a past president of the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Maryland VMA. Maryland Distinguished Veterinarian: Dr. Chris H. Runde, Charlotte Hall, for outstanding leadership, dedication, and continued commitment to the veterinary profession. A 1985 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Runde practices mixed animal medicine at Tidewater Veterinary Hospital in Charlotte Hall. He is a past president of the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Good Doctor Award: Dr. Zaun D. Kligge, Edgewater, in recognition of distinguished service, outstanding leadership, dedicated veterinary care, and years of providing compassion and kindness toward clients, patients, and the community. A 2003 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Kligge practices small animal medicine at South Arundel Veterinary Hospital in Edgewater.
Officials: Drs. John A. Kable, Westminster, president; Thomas Armitage, Mount Airy, president-elect; Thomas J. Bauk, Middletown, vice president; Carvel G. Tiekert, Bel Air, secretary-treasurer; and James B. Reed, Annapolis, immediate past president

South Dakota VMA

Event: Annual meeting, Aug. 8-11, Sioux Falls
Awards: Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Russell F. Daly, Brookings. A 1990 graduate of Iowa State University and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Dr. Daly serves as extension veterinarian at South Dakota State University. Earlier in his career, he was a partner at the Montrose/Dell Rapids Veterinary Clinic in Montrose. Dr. Daly is president-elect of the American Association of Extension Veterinarians and chairs the SDVMA Continuing Education Committee.
Officials: Drs. Bill Baus, Redfield, president; Penny Dye, Rapid City, president-elect; Cindy Franklin, Yankton, vice president; Tom Rentschler, Tea, secretary-treasurer; Dick Rogen, Sioux Falls, immediate past president; and AVMA delegate and alternate delegate—Drs. George Twitero, Rapid City, and Jim Bain, Frederick

Utah VMA

Event: Canyonlands Veterinary Conference, June 17-19, Moab
Program: The conference drew 172 veterinarians from the United States and Canada.
Awards: Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. John G. Mathis, Vernal. A 1981 graduate of Colorado State University, Dr. Mathis owns Ashley Valley Veterinary Hospital in Vernal. He is a member of the Utah House of Representatives and serves as vice chair of the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee.
Officials: Drs. Neil Moss, Kaysville, president; Doug Murphy, Vernal, president-elect; Harold Davis, Springville, executive secretary; Carl Pew, Orem, treasurer; and Drew Allen, Salt Lake City, immediate past president