All the happenings from AVMA Convention 2016

Not many other veterinary meetings or conventions have had so much packed into such a short time as AVMA Convention 2016. From Aug. 5-9, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio hosted nearly 1,000 hours of continuing education. Among the many notable speakers were Temple Grandin, PhD, who gave a presentation on religious slaughter; Dr. Richard M. Linnehan, one of only two veterinarians to have gone into space; and Dr. Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of the division of high-consequence pathogens and pathology for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who provided the latest data concerning Zika virus in the U.S.

Prior to convention, Dr. John de Jong, outgoing chair of the AVMA Board of Directors, announced his candidacy for 2017-2018 AVMA president-elect Aug. 5 at the Candidates’ Introductory Breakfast.

The AVMA House of Delegates elected Dr. Michael Topper to the office of 2016-2017 AVMA president-elect. Delegates also elected Dr. Stacy Pritt as 2016-2018 AVMA vice president.

During the Aug. 9 Board meeting, Dr. Tom Meyer was installed as AVMA president. In addition, Drs. Mark Helfat and Michael Whitehair were elected and installed as Board chair and vice chair, respectively. Nebraska delegate Dr. David Ylander is the new House Advisory Committee chair.

JAVMA News will run comprehensive coverage of these elections in addition to governance actions, award recipients, continuing education highlights, and other convention happenings in the Oct. 1 and 15 issues. Affiliated group reports will appear in the Nov. 1 issue.

In the meantime, a video of convention highlights is available here.