Dr Michael Senn was installed as president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians on March 1, 2022, during the association’s 53rd Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. He succeeds Dr Mary Battrell, who is now immediate past president. Dr William Hollis has ascended to president-elect. The newly elected vice president is Dr Angela Baysinger.
AASV President Dr Michael Senn (KSU ’91) was involved in agriculture as a youth and raised on a diversified livestock and crop farm in Kansas, where he continues as the 4th generation involved with the farm. Dr Senn credits his participation in 4-H and FFA as a youth with his passion for volunteerism and leadership. He has served AASV with two terms on the board of directors, as a committee member, as chair of the Foreign Animal Disease Committee, and as a student presentation judge. During his career, he has worked as a mixed-animal practitioner, swine production veterinarian, and as a technical services veterinarian, providing technical support for products and focused on clinical research, antimicrobial resistance monitoring, antibiotic regulatory issues, and emerging infectious disease surveillance. He continues to work as an independent consultant. Dr Senn lives in Newton, Kansas with his wife, Stephanie, and children Annika and Jakob.
When asked to comment on his thoughts about the future of AASV and his tenure as president, Dr Senn said, "Through the challenges that we all have faced in recent years, I’m impressed with the continued focus and tenacity of the membership to continue to meet the mission of AASV. As we look ahead, it is important to continue to recruit new members through mentoring students and professional development of recent graduates, while creating a welcoming and inclusive experience for all members."
AASV President-elect Dr William Hollis (Illinois ’96) is currently a partner and veterinarian of Carthage Veterinary Service and serves as the president of Professional Swine Management, the Carthage swine service management company. Dr Hollis was named the AASV Swine Practitioner of the Year in 2019. He is a Pork Quality Assurance Plus Advisor, served on the National Pork Producers Council Animal Health Food Security Policy Committee, and served on the National Pork Board Swine Health Committee. He has served on the American Veterinary Medical Association House of Delegates representing AASV, and on the AASV Board of Directors representing District 5. Dr Hollis is an active participant in the National Pork Board Operation Main Street program giving local presentations to raise awareness about modern pork production.
AASV Vice President Dr Angela Baysinger (Missouri ’92) grew up on a livestock and grain farm near Martinsburg, Missouri. She currently serves as the North American Animal Welfare Lead for all species for Merck Animal Health. Dr Baysinger completed her undergraduate studies in animal science and her doctor of veterinary medicine (1992) at the University of Missouri. She received a master of science in epidemiology from the University of Nebraska. Additionally, she received a master of science in international animal welfare, ethics, and law in December of 2021 from the University of Edinburgh, partially funded by the AASV Alex Hogg Memorial Scholarship, which she was awarded in 2018. Dr Baysinger was honored with the AASV Meritorious Service Award in 2021. She has served on multiple AASV committees as a member and chair and on the AASV Board of Directors representing District 8. She has represented the AASV on the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Clinical Practitioners Advisory Committee, the AVMA Council on Biologics and Therapeutic Agents, the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee, and on the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) board. Further, she has served as a member of the welfare committees for the National Pork Board and the North American Meat Institute. Finally, she is a cochair of the recently established National Institute for Animal Agriculture Sustainability Council.
Commenting on her upcoming role as vice president, Dr Baysinger said, "I am honored to expand my service to the AASV and the swine industry in the role of vice president. The opportunity to work with the members of AASV is exciting, and I look forward to the challenges."
Dr Baysinger lives near Bruning, Nebraska with her family.
AASV Past President Dr Mary Battrell (ISU ’95) has worked for Smithfield Hog Production since 2000, where she is currently a staff veterinarian for Smithfield Hog Production’s Central Region and is responsible for the health and well-being of 92,000 sows farrow-to-finish. She has been actively involved in the development of the Smithfield Animal Care Program and their contingency plan for a foreign animal disease. Dr Battrell has served on the AASV Pig Welfare and Pharmaceutical Issues Committees and was the 2018 recipient of the AASV Swine Practitioner of the Year award.