Bovine practitioners gather in dairyland
A convention center overlooking Lake Monona in Madison, Wis., provided a tranquil setting for the 35th annual conference of the AABP, Sept. 26-28. The meeting in America's Dairyland teamed sessions on dairy, cow-calf, feedlot, and general cattle topics. Registration totaled 2,144 and included 1,112 veterinarians, 203 students, and registrants from 17 foreign countries. Attendees could select from 365 hours of continuing education, with as many as 26 sessions running concurrently. Board actions The board also endorsed a position statement on disabled livestock adopted by the AVMA in June (see related story) and the Academy of Veterinary Consultants' position statement on control and eradication of bovine viral diarrhea. The AVC position calls for the beef and dairy industries to adopt measures to control and target eventual eradication of BVDV from North America. On recommendation of the Scholarship Committee, the board appointed an ad hoc committee to investigate the possibility and factors involved in establishing an AABP foundation. The board allocated $3,000 for various AABP representatives to attend selected meetings of the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues in 2003. In student-related actions, the board increased support for student case presentations and converted the externship program to a line item (see page 1540). Amendments The first change was initiated because of the realignment of AVMA Executive Board districts, the first phase of which was completed this past July. Until now, the AABP district structure has correlated with the AVMA's, according to AABP parliamentarian, Dr. M. Gatz Riddell. Following the new AVMA district structure, however, would have altered the AABP membership distribution. Therefore, the AABP replaced the bylaw that parallels the AVMA districts with one that delineates the states in each AABP district. A second, minor bylaw change officially allows the AABP executive committee and board of directors to conduct business by electronic means such as fax and e-mail. Membership Financial update Dr. Wustenberg acknowledged that those events "certainly had an impact on the financial as well as the other operations of the AABP. It affected revenue significantly." However, the decision of many commercial sponsors and preregistered members who couldn't attend the 2001 meeting not to request refunds had a "tremendous influence" on overall finances, he said. The treasurer does not anticipate that these contingencies will even impact the reserve fund the AABP has accumulated for such eventualities. Collaboration with AASV
Message from AVMA
The keynote His formula is first, to choose challenge, by moving from one's comfort zone to a learning zone. "Do something scary every day," Dr. McArthur exhorts. Second, choose connection, not only with family and colleagues but also by seeking new acquaintances. And third, embrace calamity, approaching life knowing that something positive always emerges from adversity. Dr. McArthur's motto: If it isn't fun, it shouldn't be done.
New officers and directors "We need to address continuing education and distance learning," he said. "We have approximately 20 percent of our membership at this meeting, but we must reach out to the other 80 percent. ..." He said the AABP is in the process of hiring an information technology coordinator who will put courses online. Looking to the future of bovine practice, the educator underscored the need not only for the profession to review the process of educating and training, but also for individual food animal practitioners to mentor. "Each of us, as a member of the AABP, has an obligation to mentor the new person in the practice—the new graduate, and the young member of high school who wants to become a veterinarian."
Dr. Patty Scharko of the University of Kentucky ascended to the presidency (see profile), and Dr. Mark F. Spire of the Food Animal Health and Management Center at Kansas State University, to the office of president-elect.
Prior to the conference, AABP members elected as vice president Dr. Rich Meiring of The Ohio State University. He will leave the District 4 directorship, to which he had just been reelected. Dr. Mark Wustenberg, Bay City, Ore., continues as treasurer. The board of directors appointed Dr. M. Gatz Riddell of Auburn University to his second three-year term as parliamentarian. Dr. Sjoert Zuidhof, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, was elected director of District 13. This past spring, Dr. Randhal Lothrop, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, was elected to fill an uncompleted term as director of District 12. Upcoming meetings Dr. Emile Bouchard invited veterinarians to plan to attend the next World Buiatrics Congress, July 11-16, 2004 in Quebec. The meeting attracts veterinarians from 50 countries. Register for information at www.wbc2004.ca. | ||||||