AVMA fellows begin work in congressional offices

Congratulations to AVMA’s 2018-2019 congressional fellows, who have been placed in full-time staff positions in congressional offices and already are using their veterinary expertise to guide public policy.

The AVMA Fellowship Program is an important pillar of our work to amplify the voices of veterinarians in the policymaking process. We want to thank this year’s participants for their dedication to advancing science-based decision making on Capitol Hill. This year’s fellows are serving in the following positions:

• Dr. Meera Chandra is working in the office of U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.). Her areas of responsibility include public health, animal health, and food safety.
• Dr. Fred Lehman is assigned to the office of U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.). His areas of responsibility include wildlife conservation, agriculture, small business issues, environment, and nutrition.

AVMA congressional fellows commit to one-year assignments as full-time scientific advisors to members of Congress or to congressional committees. The fellows are AVMA members, not AVMA employees or lobbyists.

Applications are being accepted now from AVMA members interested in serving as congressional fellows during the 2019-2020 congressional session. Learn more and download the application here. Applications are due February 8, 2019.

The AVMA 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. The AVMA provides funding for the fellowship program.