Murphy leading AVMA Division of Animal and Public Health

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Dr. Murphy
Dr. Mike Murphy

Dr. Mike Murphy, most recently a veterinary medical officer with the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the Food and Drug Administration, joined the AVMA this past October as director of the Division of Animal and Public Health.

The division is within the AVMA's Public Policy Strategic Business Unit, which also encompasses the Animal Welfare Division and global outreach. As head of the DAPH, Dr. Murphy provides the vision, expertise, and leadership required to plan, develop, implement, and manage Association activities supported by the division.

Dr. Murphy comes to the AVMA after a decade with the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. He served in the Office of the Director since 2015 helping to handle a variety of issues such as the veterinary feed directive.

During his FDA tenure, Dr. Murphy was the agency's representative to the AVMA's task forces on the model veterinary practice act and antimicrobial stewardship in companion animal practice. He also was a member of the AVMA Judicial Council and the Association's committees on antimicrobials and veterinary specialty organizations.

Prior to joining the FDA, Dr. Murphy was a professor at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. He joined the faculty in 1987 to coordinate the veterinary college's toxicology program, provide diagnostic services, and teach veterinary and graduate students about toxicology. He retired from the university in 2009 as professor emeritus.

Dr. Murphy is a 1981 graduate of the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. He has a doctoral degree in toxicology as well as a law degree, and he is a diplomate of both the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology and American Board of Toxicology.

"Hopefully, my experience in mixed animal practice, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, academia, and most recently the Center for Veterinary Medicine at FDA can complement the diversity of experience already at AVMA to help advance our profession," Dr. Murphy said.