AVMA fellows get down to work in 115th Congress
With the start of the 115th Congress, the AVMA announced the placements of the Association’s 2016-2017 fellows, who will spend a year serving as full-time staff in congressional offices advising on policy issues as part of the AVMA Fellowship Program.
Dr. Jenifer Chatfield is working in the office of U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas). Dr. Chatfield’s portfolio includes oversight and government reform, small business, animal issues, immigration reform, and agriculture.
Dr. Chelsey Shivley is working with the minority staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Dr. Shivley’s portfolio includes dairy issues, animal welfare, research, livestock issues, and the 2018 Farm Bill.
Dr. Taylor Winkleman is working in the office of U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Dr. Winkleman’s portfolio includes foreign policy with an emphasis on global health and Africa, in addition to military and veterans’ issues.
In a Jan. 30 announcement in the AVMA@Work blog, the Association states: “We look forward to seeing these veterinarians bring science-based solutions to challenges around such issues as food safety, animal welfare and public health. The AVMA Fellowship Program offers veterinarians an unparalleled opportunity to shape public policy while enhancing their own knowledge of the political process, and we have high hopes that Drs. Chatfield, Shivley and Winkleman can do much to help protect, promote and advance veterinary medicine during their time on Capitol Hill.”
The AVMA sponsors its fellowship program through the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which works to place scientific experts in congressional offices. To date, more than 60 veterinarians have participated in the AVMA Fellowship Program.
Related JAVMA content:
AVMA names 2016-2017 congressional fellows (Aug. 15, 2016)