Annual Meeting Report: Mission possible: Moving AASV from good to great

In choosing the theme of the 2007 annual meeting held in Orlando, Florida, Dr Daryl Olsen, incoming president and program chair, wanted to challenge the association to reach beyond its comfortable position as a good association. He didn’t have to look far to find a knowledgeable speaker who knows the AASV as well as he knows his family, Dr Tom Burkgren, AASV executive director.

Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture

“An organization must have the ability and the willingness to hear the truth from its members as well as from others,” said Dr Tom Burkgren as he delivered the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture, “AASV: Good to great.” He told the audience that the AASV’s progress depends on the input and feedback from members. “You have to tell us what you want and need,” he said. Facing the brutal facts is critical to the AASV’s survival, says Dr Burkgren. He outlined the challenges that face the AASV as a relatively small association, noting the association’s great strength to adapt. With a small number of members and budget constraints, the association can’t be distracted by issues on which we can have no meaningful impact, Dr Burkgren said.

One area that continues to be the cornerstone of the AASV is the education of its members, says Dr Burkgren. “For AASV to move forward, we must continually look for new opportunities to increase the knowledge of swine veterinarians,” he said. “We need to be less afraid of making mistakes, less worried about breaking the budget, and less hesitant to try new programming.”

Who is going to lead the AASV in this transformation from good to great? “AASV needs great leaders, not only in elected or officer positions, but also in our committees and as representatives to other organizations and the pork industry. We also need great leaders in private practice and in the integrated production systems. I believe everyone can provide leadership in ways that improve an association.”

Alex Hogg Memorial Lecture

During the general session, a new lecture series was initiated to honor Dr Alex Hogg (1920–2006), a former AASV president internationally renowned for his expertise in swine diseases. Dr Steve Henry was selected to deliver the inaugural lecture titled “Swine medicine: What we must do to have a seat on the bus.”

Throughout his lecture, Dr Henry brought Dr Hogg’s spirit to life with examples and lessons learned from knowing him. “You can learn and I’ll be here to help you” was a phrase heard often from Dr Hogg. As the AASV begins its transformation from good to great, he encouraged all to remember the “Scotsman” message: to never underestimate the power of one.

Swine Practitioner of the Year

The AASV’s highest honor, Swine Practitioner of the Year, went to Dr Bernie Curran, Eldridge, Iowa. Established in 1977, the award is given annually to a private practitioner who has demonstrated exceptional service to clients.

Dr Curran’s interest in veterinary medicine began in high school when he and his brother worked for the local veterinarian during the summers and weekends. While riding on calls with the veterinarian, they developed a respect for veterinarians and the swine industry.

Active in the AASV since 1974, Dr Curran has served in many leadership roles, including acting as president in 1986. In 1999, he received the AASV Meritorious Service Award. On the national level, he served as the food-animal-medicine consultant on the US Food and Drug Administration’s Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee. He also represented the association on committees and task forces of the American Veterinary Medical Association. He is a frequent speaker at veterinary and producer meetings across the country. His contributions to the swine industry also include articles published in leading publications, such as Swine Practitioner, Pork, and Hogs Today.

Dr Curran earned his veterinary degree in 1974 from Iowa State University. After graduation, he was a mixed-animal practitioner in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Since 1976, he has practiced in Eldridge, Iowa, where he has been able to emphasize his special interest in swine health and production. His devotion to advancing the Iowa pork industry was recognized in 1989, when he was named Honorary Master Pork Producer by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. He was very involved with pseudorabies eradication in Iowa, the largest swine state in the United States, and served as co-chair of the advisory committee.

Howard Dunne Memorial Award

The Howard Dunne Memorial Award was presented to Dr Ernest Sanford, London, Ontario, Canada, for his outstanding service to the swine industry and the association. Dr Sanford is a swine specialist for Boehringer Ingelheim Canada, having joined the company in 1994.

Dr Sanford has served the US and Canadian pork industry through his research in swine diseases and leadership roles in organizations that serve the industry. He currently serves as a director on the Ontario Pork Industry Council (OPIC), president of the International Pig Veterinary Society (IPVS 2010, Vancouver, Canada) for the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians, and co-chair of the Ontario Animal Research (swine) Subcommittee. He is a member of the OPIC Swine Health Advisory Board, and a district director representing Canada on the AASV Board of Directors. He is director and treasurer of the Ontario Association of Swine Veterinarians, director of the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians, and a member of the advisory board of the Banff Pork Seminar, Banff, Canada.

An accomplished author, Dr Sanford has written over 400 articles and book chapters for peer-reviewed journals and non-peer-reviewed publications on swine diseases. He is a frequent lecturer at veterinary and producer meetings and conferences in North America, Europe, and several other countries around the world.

Dr Sanford served on the editorial board of the AASV’s Swine Health and Production journal from 1998 to 2005. He also has served as a peer reviewer of manuscripts for the Canadian Veterinary Journal, Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, and Veterinary Pathology.

Dr Sanford received his veterinary degree in 1971 from the University of Guelph. He has been a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists since 1981.

Meritorious Service Award

Dr Sue Schulteis, Perry, Iowa, received the Meritorious Service Award for her contributions to the AASV. She is the associate director of the AASV, where she has worked since 1997.

“Her work has been pivotal for AASV’s success over the past 10 years,” said Dr Tom Burkgren, executive director of the AASV. “She has never refused a new challenge and has never failed to deliver on her efforts. Her loyalty and dedication to the AASV is inspiring to her co-workers, AASV leadership, and the members she serves.”

In addition to the daily management of the association office, Dr Schulteis’ most visible responsibility is the planning and coordination of the annual meeting, which serves as the primary continuing education source for swine veterinarians.

Dr Schulteis received her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Kansas State University in 1982. After graduation, she managed a farrowing barn in Minburn, Iowa, and practiced small animal medicine at the Veterinary Medical Associates in Granger, Iowa. From 1987 to 1997, she was engaged in raising her three children while assisting her husband, Dr Lee Schulteis, who is also a veterinarian, with his mixed-animal practice in Minburn, Perry, and Granger, Iowa.

Student seminar and scholarships

Aaron Lower received a $5000 scholarship for best student presentation. Aaron is a second-year veterinary student at the University of Illinois. His presentation was titled “Improving the quality of mortality data through necropsy.” Alpharma Animal Health provided the financial support for the Best Student Presenter award.

Additional scholarships totaling $20,000 were provided by Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, on behalf of Elanco Animal Health.

Four veterinary student presenters received $2500 scholarships: Jenny Cho-MacSwain, University of Minnesota; Abby Patterson, Iowa State University; Emma Webster, University of Guelph; and Todd Wolff, Michigan State University.

Five veterinary student presenters received $1500 scholarships: Margaret Aleff, Iowa State University; Kristopher Eads, North Carolina State University; Heather James, University of Saskatchewan; Genevieve Remmers, University of Montreal; and Carissa Schloesser, University of Minnesota.

Student presenters receiving $500 scholarships were Matt Allerson, University of Minnesota; Laura Bruner, University of Minnesota; Nicola Jackson, University of Prince Edward Island; Amanda Ness, University of Illinois; and Nathan Schaefer, University of Minnesota.

Twenty-five students representing 10 universities submitted abstracts for consideration. From those submissions, fifteen students were selected to present during the annual meeting. Alpharma Animal Health, sponsor of the Student Seminar, provided a $750 travel stipend to each student selected to participate.

In addition to the student seminar, a student poster session was included in the annual meeting program for the first time. Nine students presented posters during the Sunday afternoon program. Each student who was selected to present a poster received a $250 stipend from Alpharma.

Luncheon

During the luncheon sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc, Dr Rodney Johnson, chair of the AASV Foundation, reported that as of December 31, 2006, the foundation endowment had reached $346,000, with total assets of over $500,000. He thanked AASV members for their support and contributions through participation in foundation activities.

Dr Johnson announced six new heritage fellows: Dr John and Carol Waddell and the Estate of Dr Alex Hogg, the 2007 heritage fellows; and Dr R. C. Ebert, Dr Peggy Hawkins, Drs Tim and Ruth Loula, and Dr Bill Mengeling, who become heritage fellows just prior to the 2006 annual meeting. Heritage fellows are donors who have made contributions or bequests of $5000 or more to the AASV Foundation

Business breakfast

During the annual business meeting and breakfast, Dr Dee reported on the association’s membership and activities. He stated that there are 1604 members and 212 student members. He provided the annual meeting statistics, noting that total attendance was 912, representing 29 countries. He stated that 30% of registrants were from outside the United States. One hundred and nine veterinary students were in attendance, as well.

Dr Dee thanked outgoing director Dr Pat Halbur for his service and leadership. He congratulated re-elected board members, Drs Tom Fangman (District 3) and Ron Brodersen (District 6), and incoming director Dr Kent Schwartz (District 8).

Foundation auction

After the awards ceremony, Dr Tom Burkgren served as the auctioneer for a pig statue selected by Mrs Mary Lou Chapek Hogg from her husband Dr Alex Hogg’s collection. Mrs Daryl Olsen was the successful bidder at $1400. The proceeds from the sale will go to fund the Alex Hogg Memorial Scholarships.

New officers

The 2007–2008 slate of officers was installed on March 6. Dr Scott Dee passed the gavel to Dr Daryl Olsen, who assumed the presidency of the AASV. Joining Dr Olsen as officers are Dr Kerry Keffaber, president-elect, and Dr Butch Baker, vice president. Dr Dee is the immediate past president.

Mark your calendars

In 2008, the AASV will meet March 8–11 in San Diego, California, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.

— Tracy Ann Raef