Former AVMA President Kratt returning to Board
When Dr. Douglas Kratt assumed the AVMA presidency in July 2020, the country was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns. Nevertheless, Dr. Kratt made himself available to AVMA members via multiple Zoom calls to answer their questions while also directing concerned pet owners to the many AVMA resources on the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Now the 2020-21 AVMA president is returning to the AVMA Board of Directors (BOD) in April following a special election. He is replacing Dr. Jim Weisman, District 6 director, who is stepping down from the Board to join the AVMA staff as chief of academic affairs, research, and accreditation.
Dr. Kratt won an uncontested election this February to serve out the remainder of Dr. Weisman’s BOD term, which expires in July 2029. District 6 covers AVMA members in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
Previously, Dr. Kratt spent four years working with the AVMA Board, first as an invited participant as chair of the House Advisory Committee (2017-18) and again as a member of the BOD from 2019-22 as AVMA president-elect, president, and immediate past president.
In his District 6 candidate’s statement, Dr. Kratt said he was running to fill the open seat on the Board out of a commitment to advancing the veterinary profession and ensuring that the animal health industry keeps pace with an ever-evolving world.
“Throughout my career, I have addressed challenges facing veterinarians and veterinary technicians,” including wellbeing and integrating new technologies into practice, he wrote. “By serving on the AVMA Board, I aim to bring innovative solutions and a collaborative approach to these pressing issues as well as identifying new opportunities.
“My previous leadership roles have refined my ability to listen, build consensus, and move forward, which are key skills for an effective district director. I am eager to work alongside my colleagues to advocate for veterinarians in all sectors, ensuring that AVMA remains the proactive force shaping the future of veterinary medicine.”
Dr. Kratt and his wife, Dr. Kimberly Kratt, together own Central Animal Hospital, a small animal practice in Onalaska, Wisconsin.
A version of this story appears in the April 2025 print issue of JAVMA