AVMA News

American Association of Bovine Practitioners – September 12-14

Event

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) held its 56th annual conference from September 12-14 in Columbus, Ohio.

Program

The conference drew 1,067 attendees. Shawn Baker, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and author of the book “The Carnivore Diet” gave the keynote address “The Benefits of Animal-Based Diets.” Continuing education included sessions on beef cattle, dairy cattle, clinical skills, and practice management; student sessions; and sessions from the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners (AASRP). Also on offer was a trade show, a 5K Stampede Fun Run, and the Amstutz Scholarship live and silent auctions. Student members who received $324,000 total in scholarships this year from the AABP were recognized at the conference.

Awards

Boehringer Ingelheim Bovine Practitioner of the Year

Dr. Calvin Booker
Dr. Calvin Booker

Dr. Calvin Booker (Saskatchewan ’89), Okotoks, Alberta. Dr. Booker is a partner at Telus Agriculture and Consumer Goods in Okotoks, where he serves as general manager for services and research and is head of research and development. He previously worked for Feedlot Health Management Services, which is now part of Telus Agriculture. Dr. Booker is a past president of the AABP.

AABP Award of Excellence

Dr. Dan Grooms
Dr. Dan Grooms

Dr. Dan Grooms (Ohio State University ’89), Ames, Iowa. Dr. Grooms is the Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Earlier in his career, he practiced mixed animal medicine in Ohio and served as a professor and chair of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Grooms is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists and a past president of the AABP.

James A. Jarrett Award for Young Leaders

Dr. Elizabeth Brock
Dr. Elizabeth Brock

Dr. Elizabeth Brock (Cornell ’15), North Berwick, Maine. Dr. Brock is a clinical assistant professor of agriculture, nutrition, and food systems at the University of New Hampshire. She previously worked at Northwest Veterinary Associates Inc. in St. Albans, Vermont, and was active in advocacy and outreach efforts for the dairy industry in Vermont. Dr. Brock is vice chair of the AABP Animal Welfare Committee and serves as AABP District 1 director.

Merck Mentor of the Year

Dr. Bob Cherenson
Dr. Bob Cherenson

Dr. Robert Cherenson (Purdue ’84), Turlock, California. Dr. Cherenson is a partner at Lander Veterinary Clinic in Turlock, also serving as a managing partner of the clinic’s QMS Dairy Farm. Dr. Cherenson previously ran a Jersey dairy farm in Massachusetts. Dr. Cherenson has served on the AVMA Council on Education and the International Council for Veterinary Assessment. He is a member of the California Agricultural Leadership Program board of directors.

Zoetis Distinguished Service Award

Dr. David Welch
Dr. David Welch

Dr. David Welch (University of Pennsylvania ’72), Berlin, Pennsylvania. Dr. Welch practiced in Berling for 45 years, focusing on embryo transfer and in vitro fertilization. Recently retired as project leader of the AABP Veterinary Practice Sustainability Committee, he has received multiple U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Veterinary Services’ Grant Program grants on behalf of the AABP to provide veterinarians an education in practice management, business skills, and leadership.

Officials

Drs. Dave Sjeklocha, Topeka, Kansas, president; Callie Willingham, Prosper, Texas, president-elect; Mark Hilton, West Lafayette, Indiana, vice president; Brian Reed, Lititz, Pennsylvania, treasurer; Richard Wallace, McFarland, Wisconsin, parliamentarian; and Michael Capel, Geneseo, New York, immediate past president