Assemblies

Society for Theriogenology

Event: Society for Theriogenology annual conference, Aug. 9-12, Milwaukee
Program: The plenary sessions were "Information resources and searching techniques for veterinarians" by Andre Nault, "Metritis" by Dr. Martin Sheldon, and "Theriogenology to enhance animal well-being" by Dr. Dwight Wolfe. In addition to providing information on reproduction in horses, production animals, and small animals, the conference offered an educators forum on the core content for the theriogenology curriculum. Thirty-five scientific abstracts and six veterinary student case presentations were given during various sessions at the conference, and the poster session had eight presentations.
Awards: David Bartlett Honorary Address: Dr. Wolfe, Auburn, Ala., was recognized for his dedication to teaching and clinical service in theriogenology at Auburn University and for his research on infertility in bulls. Dr. John Steiner Award for Excellence in Practice: Dr. Cheryl Lopate, Aurora, Ore., was recognized for her expertise in equine and small animal theriogenology. Winners of the Dr. Jerry Rains Memorial Abstract Competition, sponsored by Merck Animal Health: Dr. Brandon Forshey, Columbus, Ohio, "Effects of lactoferrin on post-breeding uterine inflammation in the mare," first place ($1,000); Dr. Elizabeth M. Woodward, Lexington, Ky., "Susceptibility to delayed uterine clearance after breeding: relationship to endometrial biopsy score and age, and variations among seasons," second place ($750); Dr. Lewrell Strickland, Auburn, "Surface architectural anatomy of the penile and preputial epithelium of bulls," third place ($500); and Laura Sahlfeld, Corvallis, Ore., "Isolation and primary cell culture of canine trophoblasts," fourth place ($250). Winners of the veterinary student case presentation competition, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health: Kristina Janson, Iowa State University, "Neonatal isoerythrolysis and alloimmune neutropenia in the foal of a primiparous mare," first place ($650); Jordan Vendramin, University of Illinois, "Long-term management of cystic benign prostatic hyperplasia in a valuable breeding dog," second place ($525); Katie Comerford, Texas A&M University, "Epididymitis, ampullitis, and periorchitis due to an ascending seminal vesiculitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a stallion," third place ($450); Nicole Ferguson, Texas A&M University, "Ovarian abscess in a maiden mare," fourth place ($375); Rachel Lacey, University of Florida, "Normal parturition after unilateral ovariectomy and uterine leiomyoma removal in a Thoroughbred mare," fifth place ($300); and Brianne Simonsen, Iowa State University, "XY sex reversal in a Quarter Horse mare," sixth place ($200). Each of the six participants in the student case presentation competition also received a travel stipend of $500 from the Theriogenology Foundation.
Business: The bull breeding soundness examination form will soon be available in an electronic format. The Trichomoniasis Task Force is developing a position statement. A member survey has been completed, and the data are being analyzed. The Theriogenology Foundation, a joint effort between the SFT and American College of Theriogenologists, disbursed funds to support the veterinary student case presentation competition, the ACT Educators Forum, six travel grants for residents, and one travel grant for new faculty.
Officials: Drs. Gary Warner, Elgin, Texas, president; Scott Pretzer, Lincoln, Neb., president-elect; Don Sanders, Marysville, Ohio, vice president; Herris Maxwell, Auburn, secretary/treasurer; and Richard Hopper, Starkville, Miss., immediate past president. Newly elected members of the board of directors are Drs. Jill Colloton, Edgar, Wis.; David Hartman, Gainesville, Texas; and Kit Kampschmidt, Houston.

American College of Theriogenologists

Event: American College of Theriogenologists business meeting, Aug. 10, 2011, Milwaukee
Award: Theriogenologist of the Year Award, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.: Dr. Ahmed Tibary, Pullman, Wash., for excellence in teaching and research on reproduction in camelids. Dr. Tibary has written one of the landmark textbooks on reproduction in camelids and has given many presentations on camelid reproduction throughout the world.
Business: The ACT is celebrating its 40th anniversary and was honored to have four of its charter diplomates in attendance: Drs. Bill Adams, David Bartlett, C. J. "Bush" Bierschwal, and Douglas Mitchell. The ACT is undertaking a job task analysis of its members. The ACT Credentialing Committee continued work on a set of guidelines for maintenance of certification, which has been mandated by the AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties. The ACT board approved revisions to the general information guide submitted by the ACT Credentialing Committee.
New diplomates: The college certified 18 diplomates who successfully completed the certification examination:
David Beehan, Baton Rouge, La.
Igor Canisso, Lexington, Ky.
Celina Checura, Madison, Wis.
Tonya Collop, Rutledge, Mo.
Brent Cousin, Brillion, Wis.
Mouhamadou Diaw, Beverly Hills, Fla.
Craig Easley, Bellefontaine, Miss.
Francois Grand, Montreal
Shelby Hayden, Bryan, Texas
Candace Jacobson, Cochranville, Pa.
Alicia Lindholm, Chelan, Wash.
Monica Morganti, Bologna, Italy
Roberto Palomares Naveda, Auburn, Ala.
Kendra Rock, Glencoe, Okla.
Mary Sebzda, Aliso Viejo, Calif.
Jonathan Spears, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Smadar Tal, Ramat Gan, Israel
Justin Voge, Bryan, Texas
Officials: Drs. Steve Brinsko, College Station, Texas, president; Claire Card, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, president-elect; Gary Althouse, New London, Pa., vice president; Bruce Eilts, Baton Rouge, La., treasurer; R. Bruce Hollett, Athens, Ga., secretary; and Augustine Peter, West Lafayette, Ind., immediate past president. Dr. Lloyd Kloppe, Buckeye, Ariz., was elected to the board of directors. 

40 years and counting

The American College of Theriogenologists is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Dr. David Bartlett, a charter diplomate, gave a brief history of the ACT during the Society for Theriogenology's annual conference, Aug. 9-12 in Milwaukee.

"Over the past 40 years, it is clearly evident that incredible progress has been achieved by veterinarians in our area of professional interest," Dr. Bartlett said.

Dr. Bartlett recalled a 1971 meeting during which the AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties considered the ACT's petition for recognition as a specialty college.

A member of the ABVS asked whether sufficient knowledge and literature existed to support theriogenology as a distinct discipline in veterinary medicine. Dr. Bartlett was able to cite only a couple of books, various articles, and the annual meetings of the American Veterinary Society for the Study of Breeding Soundness.

"Forty years later, it is exciting and gratifying to be able to deal with that same question," Dr. Bartlett said.

The ACT study guide is now four pages long—listing numerous monographs, journals, and proceedings.

The membership of the ACT has grown to 441 diplomates. Each year, more than two dozen candidates take the examination for diplomate status.

Dr. Bartlett reflected on how, in the decades preceding the 1970s, most of the pioneers in animal reproduction were animal scientists.

In 1970, a conference brought together educators in the field of animal reproduction at veterinary colleges. The participants agreed that the subject is integral to the veterinary curriculum, and they decided that the term "theriogenology" should replace "animal reproduction and obstetrics" in veterinary medicine.

"For more than three decades, dictionaries have defined theriogenology as a 'branch of' or 'specialty of' veterinary medicine," Dr. Bartlett said.

Back in 1971, the ACT did receive a go-ahead from the ABVS and held its first meeting. In 1974, the American Veterinary Society for the Study of Breeding Soundness became the Society for Theriogenology. The ACT and SFT continue to progress in close partnership.

North Dakota VMA

Event: Annual meeting, Aug. 14-16, Fargo
Awards: Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. David Calderwood, Casselton. A 1980 graduate of Iowa State University, Dr. Calderwood co-owns Casselton Veterinary Clinic. He is a past president of the NDVMA, serves as North Dakota's alternate delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates, and is chair of the NDVMA Continuing Education Committee.
Officials: Drs. Vince Stenson, Williston, president; Charlie Stoltenow, Fargo, 1st vice president; Neil Dyer, Fargo, 2nd vice president; Frank Walker, New Rockford, secretary-treasurer; and Del Rae Martin, Mandan, immediate past president

South Dakota VMA

Event: Annual meeting, Aug. 7-10, Sioux Falls
Awards: Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Jim Bain, Frederick. A 1975 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Dr. Bain practices large animal medicine at Frederick Veterinary Clinic. He is a past president of the SDVMA and served as South Dakota's alternate delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates until recently.
Business: The association membership approved a resolution to support funding for South Dakota State University's College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. Recent state budget cuts have led to reductions in staff and programming, impacting the veterinary sciences program and the operation of the Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, which provides critical services to the veterinary profession.
Officials: Drs. Penny Dye, Rapid City, president; Cindy Franklin, Yankton, president-elect; Tom Rentschler, Tea, vice president; Todd Carr, Sioux Falls, secretary-treasurer; and Bill Baus, Redfield, immediate past president