Maccabe to step down from AAVMC after 12 years as CEO
The head of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is stepping down after over a decade in the position.
The AAVMC announced January 14 that Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe would leave his position as its CEO by the end of June. He previously served as associate executive director for five years before returning as CEO in May 2012.
Under his guidance, the AAVMC expanded its staff, increased revenue and membership, and expanded its global footprint, according to the announcement.
In 2012, the association’s membership comprised 28 U.S. veterinary colleges, five Canadian veterinary colleges, 12 international veterinary colleges, eight departments of veterinary science, eight departments of comparative medicine, and three affiliate members.
Currently, it has 56 member institutions—33 U.S. veterinary colleges, five Canadian veterinary colleges, and 18 international veterinary colleges—along with 11 provisional members, which are institutions seeking accreditation from the AVMA Council on Education (COE); three collaborative member institutions, which are international programs that are not seeking COE accreditation; and six affiliate member institutions, which are the departments of veterinary science or comparative medicine.
Overall enrollment for U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine hit 15,157 for the 2022-23 academic year compared with a total of 11,255 U.S. veterinary students in 2012-13.
Further, the AAVMC’s Diversity Matters initiative contributed to a 40% increase in enrollment of underrepresented minorities at AAVMC member institutions.
“Dr. Maccabe’s many years at the helm of AAVMC helped ensure a close relationship between our two organizations, and enhanced the AVMA’s strong collaboration with veterinary schools and programs,” said Dr. Rena Carlson, AVMA president. “Under his leadership, the AVMA and the AAVMC have partnered on many projects that have greatly benefitted the profession, including initiatives that have promoted One Health, wellbeing, and diversity, equity and inclusion. We are grateful to Dr. Maccabe for the ongoing commitment and dedication he has for students, veterinary teams and the profession.”
Prior to his appointment at the AAVMC, Dr. Maccabe served as a liaison at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coordinating policies and programs between the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration.
Dr. Maccabe received his veterinary degree in 1985 from The Ohio State University. He began his professional career in Jefferson, Ohio, working in a mixed animal practice with primary emphasis on dairy herd health.
Dr. Maccabe was commissioned as a public health officer in the U.S. Air Force in 1988 and retired in 2017 following 24 years of active military and reserve officer service. While serving in the Air Force, Dr. Maccabe completed his master’s in public health in 1995 at Harvard University.
Dr. Ruby L. Perry, AAVMC president and board chair and dean of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, said in the release, “The board, membership, and staff appreciate Dr. Maccabe’s exemplary service, dedication, and thoughtful leadership in moving the AAVMC forward and promoting excellence in academic veterinary medicine globally.”
Reflecting on his role, Dr. Maccabe said in the release, “Serving as CEO of AAVMC has been the greatest privilege of my career. I have had the pleasure of working with an incredibly talented, highly professional, and diverse staff and I am in absolute awe of the amazing work done every day by the dedicated educators and administrators at our member institutions as they prepare the next generation of veterinarians to serve societal needs.”
The AAVMC has retained the firm of Sterling Martin to assist with the search for a new CEO. Inquiries should be directed to David Martin, CEO and founder, at dmartin
smartinsearch [dot] com (dmartin[at]smartinsearch[dot]com).
A version of this story appears in the March 2024 print issue of JAVMA