2018-2019 AVMA fellows placed in congressional offices
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is pleased to announce that AVMA's 2018-2019 fellows have secured year-long placements as full-time staff in congressional offices. These veterinarians will use their training and expertise to provide counsel to their respective offices on a broad range of issues. Placements include:
- Dr. Meera Chandra will serve in the office of Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.). Her areas of responsibility will include public health, animal health and food safety.
- Dr. Fred Lehman will serve in the office of Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.). His areas of responsibility will include wildlife conservation, agriculture, small business issues, environment and nutrition.
The 2018-2019 fellows were selected out of 12 applicants for the program following a three-phased, competitive selection process. AVMA's Fellowship Selection Committee was chaired by AVMA Past President Dr. Tom Meyer, and included former AVMA congressional fellow Dr. Rachel Cumberbatch and AVMA Deputy Chief Executive Officer Adrian Hochstadt.
The fellowship program is sponsored through the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which works to place qualified scientific experts in congressional offices where they are needed, and the AVMA provides funding for the program. To date, more than 65 veterinarians have participated in the AVMA Fellowship Program.
The AVMA is the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, speaking for more than 100,000 member veterinarians across the United States who care passionately about protecting animal health, animal welfare and human health. Informed by its members' unique scientific training and knowledge, the AVMA advocates for policies that advance the practice of veterinary medicine and support the crucial work of veterinarians nationwide.