AASV 2021 Early Career Swine Veterinarian Conference Speakers
Mike Eisenmenger, DVM
Dr. Mike Eisenmenger grew up on a small family farm in northwest Iowa. He knew from an early age he wanted to be a veterinarian and care for animals. After enrolling in Iowa State University in 1977, Mike entered veterinary school in 1979 and earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1983. Dr. Eisenmenger started working in southwest Minnesota at a clinic caring for dogs, cats, horses, cattle, dairy and swine (along with other species). As the swine industry changed and became more specialized in the 1990s, he knew he wanted to focus on swine exclusively. He then joined the Swine Vet Center, a swine-exclusive practice with 15 veterinarians.
Today, most of Dr. Eisenmenger’s time is focused on health strategies and disease elimination/reduction strategies. He leads a health team that includes veterinarians, health technicians and biosecurity/air filtration experts. He has published many articles in professional journals and regularly speaks at swine continuing education meetings. In 2017, he was awarded the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Swine Practitioner of the Year.
While Dr. Eisenmenger enjoys his work, he also enjoys family. He and his wife Linda feel fortunate to have four grown sons who live within 2 ½ hours of their home in Windom. Dr. Eisenmenger says he most enjoys hanging out at the lake in the summer. He especially loves being at the lake with his family and watching the “boys” enjoy water sports and other activities. It’s hard to imagine that Mike is not right there with them doing the same things.
Larry Firkins, DVM, MS, MBA
Dr. Larry Firkins is the Executive Associate Dean and a Professor at the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to joining the University in 1995, he spent nine years as a partner in a veterinary practice in central Illinois.
During his time at the University of Illinois, Dr. Firkins has focused his teaching efforts on the integration of practical business skills into the veterinary curriculum. Earlier this year, he was named to the List of Teachers Ranked Excellent by Their Students for the 73rd time. Firkins has given over 160 international presentations in 21 countries and over 550 presentations throughout the US.
Doug Groth, DVM
Dr. Doug Groth is a partner and veterinarian in Carthage Veterinary Service, LTD and is active in all aspects of the business. Doug is responsible for the overall health and biosecurity for the boar studs and animal care programs for the Carthage System and consults with external swine clients. Areas of focus also include the transportation system, truck wash, boar studs and multiplication operations. Dr. Groth obtained his D.V.M. from Iowa State University in 1997 and has a B.S. in Animal Science also from Iowa State.
Kurt Kuecker, DVM
Dr. Kurt Kuecker grew up on a family owned farrow to finish hog farm in Algona, IA. He graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 and has been working for Hanor for the past 8 years. Dr. Kuecker is currently overseeing the health and production of the IA/SD grow finish operations which is ~940,000 spaces. He currently lives in Sioux Falls, SD with his wife Liza and 2 children, Kenzie and Kora.
Jeremy Pittman, DVM, MS, DABVP
Dr. Jeremy S Pittman is a staff veterinarian for Smithfield Hog Production – North Region, which manages 140,000 sows farrow-to-finish in Northeastern North Carolina and Virginia. Dr. Pittman also serves on Smithfield’s science and technology committee, which uses a science based approach to improve production, health and business performance throughout its operations worldwide.
Dr. Pittman graduated from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in 2000 with degrees in Zoology and Animal Science, and minors in Nutrition and Genetics. In 2004, he received his DVM from NCSU and started his career with Smithfield. Dr. Pittman received a Master’s degree in Veterinary Preventative Medicine from Iowa State University in 2014. Dr. Pittman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Swine Health Management) and serves as adjunct faculty at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Pittman also serves on the Board of Directors for the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).
Dr Pittman received the 2015 Allen D Leman Science in Practice Award from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Pittman received the Science with Practice Award from Iowa State University in 2016. Dr. Pittman completed the Executive Veterinary Program at the University of Illinois in 2016. Dr. Pittman was the recipient of the 2021 American Association of Swine Veterinarian’s Swine Veterinarian of the Year.