Many faces, one profession
More than 400 positions exist on AVMA councils, committees, and task forces. To showcase the diverse backgrounds and expertise of the volunteers who serve on them and to inspire even more AVMA members to participate, JAVMA News is featuring a few entities each month. For more information about serving on one of these entities, go here, or contact officeevp
avma [dot] org (officeevp[at]avma[dot]org).
One Health Joint Steering Committee
Charge/mission: The committee will implement the recommendations of the One Health Initiative Task Force to create an independent One Health Commission for the purpose of improving human, animal, and ecosystem health.
Project director:
Dr. Roger K. Mahr (ISU '71), St. Charles, Ill.
Voting members:
Ronald Atlas, PhD, chair, University of Louisville; representing the American Society for Microbiology
Retired Brig. Gen. Michael B. Cates, DVM (TEX '80), Kansas State University; representing the AVMA
Stanley Maloy, PhD, San Diego State University; representing the American Society for Microbiology
Dr. Elizabeth A. Lautner (MSU '78), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa; representing USDA
Dr. John R. Fischer (MO '86), University of Georgia; representing the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Dr. James G. Fox (COL '68), Massachusetts Institute of Technology; representing the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
Dr. Lonnie J. King (OSU '70), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta; representing CDC
Thomas P. Monath, MD, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Harvard, Mass.; representing the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Thomas Yuill, PhD, Brigham Young University; representing the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Albert Osbahr III, MD, Catawba Valley Medical Center, Hickory, N.C.; representing the American Medical Association
Dr. Margaret A. Wild (COL '80), National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colo.; representing NPS
Associate members:
Richard Knapp, PhD, Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, D.C.; representing AAMC
Susan Polan, PhD, American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C.; representing APHA
Rear Adm. William S. Stokes, DVM (OSU '79), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, N.C.; representing NIEHS
Affiliate members:
Dr. Carina G. Blackmore (UPP '89), Florida Department of Health; representing the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
Tracey H. Forfa, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Md.; representing FDA
Dr. Steven A. Osofsky (COR '89), Wildlife Conservation Society, Oakton, Va.; representing WCS
What current project(s) are you most excited about?
"The One Health Joint Steering Committee's commitment to forming a One Health Commission is exciting," said Dr. Lynne A. White-Shim, AVMA staff consultant to the committee. "The committee's major strength, I believe, is in its members—who represent a multitude of different organizations and disciplines."
A recent meaningful accomplishment:
The committee garnered a $100,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to support the One Health Commission, Dr. White-Shim said (see JAVMA, April 15, 2009).
How is your entity addressing the profession's pressing issues?
Dr. White-Shim said the committee is bringing together veterinarians and other professionals to tackle pressing global health issues—including complex food systems, climate change, and emerging infectious diseases.
How is the entity addressing the strategic or operational goals of the AVMA?
Dr. Roger K. Mahr, project director, said the one-health concept is at the center of the AVMA mission to improve animal and human health. Dr. Mahr said, "The formation of the One Health Commission will create sustainable, visionary, and integrated leadership to develop and implement an integrated strategy for one health, both nationally and internationally."
Committee on Disaster and Emergency Issues
Charge/mission: The committee's work includes addressing the role of veterinarians in emergency and disaster issues as well as the effects of disasters on animal health, public health, and the veterinary profession.
Members:
Dr. Charlotte A. Krugler (OKL '85), chair, Columbia, S.C.; representing state veterinarians
Dr. Reneé D. Dewell (COL '96), Windsor, Colo.; representing food animal practice
Dr. Tracy Rhodes (COL '60), Buffalo, Wyo.; representing American Veterinary Medical Foundation board of directors
Dr. Peregrine L. Wolff (ORS '84), Corvallis, Ore.; representing AVMA Committee on Environmental Issues
Dr. Jennifer A. Brown (WAS '99), Leesburg, Va.; representing equine medicine
Dr. Carol H. Rubin (MIN '78), Atlanta; representing a federal or state public health agency
Dr. Jo Anna Quinn (NCU '86), Cary, N.C.; representing poultry medicine
Dr. Scott T. Mason (OKL '91), Oklahoma City; representing small animal practice
Dr. Stephanie R. Ostrowski (GA '80), Whitesburg, Ga.; representing uniformed services
Dr. Gerhardt G. Goemann (CAL '72), Cohasset, Minn.; representing Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams
What current project(s) are you most excited about?
The CDEI is talking with states to determine successes and gaps in their implementation of the PETS Act—which requires emergency preparedness authorities to account for pets in their evacuation plans—and in current all hazards/all species response and preparedness capabilities, according to Dr. Heather Case, an assistant director in the AVMA Scientific Activities Division.
A recent meaningful accomplishment:
The relaunch of the AVMA VMAT program—targeted for May 1, 2009—offers trained and experienced veterinary response teams for early assessment and basic veterinary treatment following a disaster, as well as emergency preparedness and response education. "This program, funded generously by the AVMF, is the direct result of countless hours of work from the CDEI. The expertise and efforts of CDEI brought forth the successful Executive Board recommendation, allowing the program to relaunch as an AVMA program that is now focused on the state level," Dr. Case said.
How is the entity addressing the strategic or operational goals of the AVMA?
"Advocacy is the mainstay of this committee as we assist and support our constituents with the development and implementation of national strategies and plans," said CDEI Chair Charlotte A. Krugler. "Since resource needs will vary greatly for different types of disasters, an all-hazards approach is necessary. To accomplish this, the CDEI collaborates with a wide spectrum of practicing veterinarians and nongovernmental organizations as well as local, state, tribal, and federal governmental entities to provide the education and tools necessary."