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).
Animal Agriculture Liaison Committee
Charge/mission: Identify concerns for the veterinary profession and producers of food from animals, strengthen relationships between the AVMA and animal agriculture organizations, and improve communications with food animal organizations to support decision making by the AVMA.
Members:
Dr. Jerry L. Torrison (MIN '86), chair, University of Minnesota; representing the National Institute for Animal Agriculture
Dr. Billy R. Clay (OKL '70), Vetta Consulting LLC, Stillwater, Okla.; representing the Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Rexanne M. Struve (KSU '76), Veterinary Association of Manning, Manning, Iowa; representing the Academy of Rural Veterinarians
Dr. Shaun H. Sweiger (MO '94), Sweiger Enterprises, Oklahoma City; representing the Academy of Veterinary Consultants
Dr. Daniel A. Gingerich (MIN '71), Turtle Creek Biomedical Consulting, Lebanon, Ohio; representing the American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Dr. Robert D. Evans (VMR '98), Harrisonburg, Va.; representing the American Association of Avian Pathologists
Dr. Terry W. Lehenbauer (OKL '79), Oklahoma State University; representing the American Association of Bovine Practitioners
Dr. Byron J. Dedrickson (KSU '75), Merial Ltd., Duluth, Ga.; representing the American Association of Corporate and Public Practice Veterinarians
Dr. Jeanne M. Rankin (COL '87), Helena, Mont.; representing the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners
Dr. Timothy P. Trayer (OSU '79), Palmyra, Pa.; representing the American Association of Swine Veterinarians
Dr. James R. Logan (COL '75), Shoshoni, Wyo.; representing the American Sheep Industry Association
Dr. Tony M. Forshey (OSU '77), Granville, Ohio; representing the Aquatic Livestock Alliance
Dr. John U. Thomson (ISU '67), Iowa State University; representing the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
Dr. Christopher C.L. Chase (ISU '80), South Dakota State University; representing the Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents
Dr. Stanley E. Held (ISU '57), Buffalo, Minn.; representing the Council on Veterinary Service
Dr. John R. Scamahorn (PUR '72), Greencastle, Ind.; representing the Executive Board
Dr. Scott A. Reynolds (KSU '94), Pitchfork Angus, Berwyn, Neb.; representing the National Cattlemen's Beef Association
Dr. Charles M. Corsiglia (AUB '93), Oakdale, Calif.; representing the National Chicken Council
Dr. John H. Mahoney (IL '77), Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC, Gray Summit, Mo.; representing the National Milk Producers Federation
Dr. Lisa J. Becton (NCU '94), National Pork Board, Des Moines, Iowa; representing the National Pork Board
Dr. David J. Mills (ISU '81), Jennie-O Turkey Store, Barron, Wis.; representing the National Turkey Federation
Dr. Joe C. Gillespie (TEX '95), Gillespie Veterinary Service PC, McCook, Neb.; representing the National Mastitis Council
Dr. Chester L. Rawson (IL '68), Markesan, Wis.; representing the Society for Theriogenology
Dr. Steven L. Halstead (MSU '82), Bellevue, Mich.; representing the U.S. Animal Health Association
What current project are you most excited about?
Dr. David Scarfe, staff consultant for the AALC, said the committee is now aligning efforts and deliberations with the five Executive Board-approved strategic goals of advocacy, veterinary workforce development, education, animal welfare and economic viability.
A recent meaningful accomplishment:
In dealing with the shortage of veterinarians in rural areas, the committee recognized the workforce needs for veterinarians involved with all aspects of the food supply, Dr. Scarfe said. The result is a food supply veterinary medicine initiative, including a new AVMA Web area (www.avma.org/fsvm) with information on the importance of the issue, where the shortages are, and what can be done.
How is your entity addressing the profession's pressing issues and concerns of recent graduates?
In addition to updating the FSVM Web resources, the AALC and its member organizations supported and helped lobby to maintain the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank, a critical resource that supports veterinarians' ability to use extralabel drugs. Other issues being addressed include antimicrobial use and resistance in livestock, livestock welfare, revisions of the National Veterinary Accreditation Program, and a recent Pew Commission report and recommendation concerning industrial farm animal production.
How is the entity addressing the strategic or operational goals of the AVMA?
AALC Chair Jerry L. Torrison said in-depth involvement of members in livestock production, medicine and research, animal health policy and regulation, and food supply veterinary medical education helps the AALC consider diverse issues and address strategic and operational goals in specific ways.
The committee has worked closely with the AVMA and key stakeholders to find solutions to looming workforce shortages, Dr. Torrison said. With member ties to allied organizations, the key role of the AALC remains advocacy within and on behalf of the AVMA.
American Board of Veterinary Specialties
Charge/mission: The board's work includes assisting groups submitting petitions for establishment and recognition of specialty organizations, making recommendations to the Council on Education regarding AVMA recognition, ensuring fairness in credentialing and examination procedures, and promoting specialization.
Members:
Dr. Robert D. Pechman (CAL '69), chair, Stillwater, Okla.; representing the American College of Veterinary Radiology
Dr. Colin E. Harvey (BRI '66), chair-elect, University of Pennsylvania; representing the American Veterinary Dental College
Dr. Dennis D. French (MIN '78), Louisiana State University; representing the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners
Dr. Mike J. Murphy (TEX '81), Stillwater, Minn.; representing the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology
Dr. Lynn C. Anderson (ISU '77), Charles River Laboratories Inc., Wilmington, Mass.; representing the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine
Dr. Francene S. Van Sambeek (MSU '94), Cullman, Ala.; representing the American College of Poultry Veterinarians
Dr. Dale L. Paccamonti (MSU '81), Louisiana State University; representing the American College of Theriogenologists
Dr. Janyce Seahorn (ISU '80), Georgetown, Ky.; representing the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists
Dr. Valarie V. Tynes (TEX '87), Premier Vet Behavior Consulting, Fort Worth, Texas; representing the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Dr. Albert Boeckh (NIT '89), Merial Limited, Duluth, Ga.; representing the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology
Dr. John M. MacDonald (COR '74), Auburn, Ala.; representing the American College of Veterinary Dermatology
Dr. Robert Murtaugh (MIN '80), Holliston, Mass.; representing the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
Dr. William R. Fenner (TEX '73), Columbus, Ohio; representing the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Dr. Christopher S. Hayhow (OSU '80), De Soto, Kan.; representing the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists
Dr. John E. Bauer (IL '79), Texas A&M University; representing the American College of Veterinary Nutrition
Dr. Donald D. Flemming (CAL '79), Contra Costa Animal Eye Clinic, Pleasant Hill, Calif.; representing the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
Dr. Robert E. Hall (ISU '50), Covance Laboratories, Madison, Wis.; representing the American College of Veterinary Pathologists
Dr. John P. Sanders (TEN '85), Kearneysville, W.Va.; representing the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine
Dr. Delbert J. Krahwinkel (AUB '66), University of Tennessee; representing the American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Dr. Suzanne Kennedy-Stoskopf (MSU '76), North Carolina State University; representing the American College of Zoological Medicine
Dr. Ralph C. Richardson (KSU '70), Kansas State University; representing the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
Dr. William S. Swecker (VMR '84), Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; representing the Council on Education
What current project are you most excited about?
Dr. Karen Brandt, assistant director of the AVMA Education and Research Division, said the ABVS has approved forwarding for public comment a petition for recognition of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation as a new specialty organization. This is the first proposed new specialty organization since the early 1990s.
A recent meaningful accomplishment:
The chair of the ABVS and the president of the European Board of Veterinary Specialization recently attended each other's annual meetings to increase communication between the organizations, enhance international development, and standardize veterinary specialization.
How is the entity addressing the strategic or operational goals of the AVMA?
ABVS Chair Robert D. Pechman said the ABVS helps to provide the public with exceptional veterinary service by recognizing and encouraging the development of specialty organizations that promote competence in defined areas of study and practice.