United States Animal Health Association

Event: 121st annual meeting, Oct. 12-18, 2017, San Diego
Program: The meeting, held jointly with the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (see story), drew more than 1,200 attendees. The joint plenary session, "State of the Industry: Animal Agriculture," moderated by Mike Armstrong, Clayton, North Carolina, featured speakers Mike Naig, deputy secretary of agriculture for Iowa, and Dr. Elizabeth Parker, Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, and concluded with the panel discussion "FMD: Now and the Future" with Pam Hullinger, California Animal Health Food Safety System; Dr. Bret Marsh, Indiana state veterinarian; Dr. Jack Shere, deputy administrator, Veterinary Services division of the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; and Dr. Liz Wagstrom, National Pork Producers Council. Several committee and subcommittee meetings were also held.
Awards: USAHA Medal of Distinction: Bobby Acord, Rocky Point, North Carolina. A former administrator of the USDA APHIS, Acord owns a consulting firm in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was honored for his career in the animal health sector. Acord is active with the USAHA and has helped foster a close relationship between the organization and stakeholders, particularly at the federal level. He serves as a mentor to upcoming leaders in the profession. USAHA Federal Partnership Award: Dr. Jon Zack, Riverdale, Maryland. A 1997 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Zack is director of the USDA APHIS National Preparedness and Incident Coordination Center. He was recognized for his work in foreign animal disease preparedness. Dr. Zack has helped advance Secure Food Supply Plans projects and has served in a leadership capacity during recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the United States. APHIS Administrator's Award: Dr. Bruce Akey, College Station, Texas. A 1987 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Akey is director of the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. He was honored for his varied career, ranging from regulatory medicine to veterinary diagnostics work. Known for visionary leadership in the areas of information technology and surveillance capabilities in diagnostic laboratories, Dr. Akey has helped advance the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. National Assembly Award: Dr. Kent Fowler, Sacramento, California. A 1977 graduate of the University of California-Davis, Dr. Fowler is chief of the Animal Health Branch at the California Department of Food and Agriculture. He was recognized for his dedication to the work of the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials. Dr. Fowler works closely with members of the assembly and has demonstrated notable leadership in equine health issues. He has helped develop disease response infrastructure and foot-and-mouth disease preparedness planning. The USAHA also recognized its immediate past president, Dr. Boyd Parr, for his service as president from 2016-17.
Business: The USAHA continues to implement the 2015 strategic plan, with the past year featuring a new look for the association via a new logo, and a new committee structure. The committee restructure is designed to streamline association work and allow for greater flexibility and response to issues affecting animal health. Twenty-one resolutions have been approved and can be viewed at www.usaha.org/usaha-resolutions.
Officials: Barbara Determan, Early, Iowa, president; Dr. Kristin Haas, Montpelier, Vermont, president-elect; Dr. Martin Zaluski, Helena, Montana, first vice president; Dr. Paul McGraw, Madison, Wisconsin, second vice president; Dr. Charles Thatchere, Nashville, Tennessee, third vice president; Dr. Annette Jones, Sacramento, California, treasurer; and Dr. Boyd Parr, Columbia, South Carolina, immediate past president