Forty-three AASV members took advantage of the opportunity to participate in the AASV’s first summer conference, “Advanced Techniques for Swine Veterinarians,” held in June prior to World Pork Expo. The program was designed to enhance swine practitioner skills in the areas of information management, diagnostics, swine reproduction, and project management. In addition to the registered attendees, 25 veterinary students assisted with logistical details and attended conference sessions, which utilized the facilities at the Iowa State University (ISU) College of Veterinary Medicine. The conference speakers employed a combination of lecture and lab formats. The availability of wireless Internet access in the lecture hall enhanced the sessions addressing information and project management. In the lab portions of the program, speakers utilized both live animals and tissue specimens. Multiple stations equipped with dedicated plasma screens allowed participants to rotate through the lab sessions in small groups. From the survey responses, it was apparent that attendees appreciated these opportunities for personalized, hands-on instruction. Attendees gathered at the nearby Holiday Inn Ames Conference Center for two evening social events, thanks to generous support from the following sponsors: Elanco Animal Health; Fort Dodge Animal Health; Merial; MVP Laboratories; Newport Laboratories; Novartis Animal Health, US; and Pfizer Animal Health. Lunches were prepared and served by the ISU Student Chapter of the AASV. The summer conference program committee was chaired by Dr Mike Mull, and included Drs Scanlon Daniels, Jeff Harker, Erin Johnson, Randy Jones, Locke Karriker, and Jason Kelly. Plans are underway to offer a similar conference again next year. Special thanks to our sponsors who made the AASV Summer Conference possible:
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Participants examine sow reproductive tracts during Dr Billy Flowers’s presentation on investigation of reproductive problems
Dr Jim Lowe displays the “tools of the trade” as part of his presentation on tonsil-collection techniques
Summer Conference attendees work in small groups to discuss the interpretation of results on a case study during the diagnostics module Photos courtesy of Dr Alex Ramirez |
AASV award nominations
Do you know an AASV member whose dedication to the association and the swine industry is worthy of recognition? The AASV Awards Committee requests nominations for three awards to be presented at the upcoming AASV annual meeting in San Diego. The awards are:
Swine Practitioner of the Year. Given annually to the private practitioner (AASV member) who has demonstrated an unusual degree of proficiency in the delivery of veterinary service to his or her clients.
Howard Dunne Memorial Award. Given annually to an AASV member who has made a significant contribution and rendered outstanding service to the AASV and the swine industry.
Meritorious Service Award. Given annually to an individual who has consistently given time and effort to the association in the area of service to the AASV members, AASV officers, and the AASV staff.
Nominations are due December 15. The nomination letter should specify the award and cite the qualifications of the candidate for the award. Submit to: AASV, 902 1st Avenue, Perry, IA 50220-1703; Fax: 515-465-3832; E-mail: aasv@aasv.org.
Call for abstracts – Industrial Partners
The AASV invites submissions for the Industrial Partners portion of the 39th AASV Annual Meeting, to be held March 8 to 11, 2008, in San Diego, California. This is an opportunity for commercial companies to make brief presentations of a technical, educational nature to members of the AASV.
As in the past, the oral sessions will consist of a series of 15-minute presentations scheduled from 1:00 to 5:30 pm on Sunday afternoon, March 9. A poster session will take place on the same day. Poster authors will be required to be stationed with their posters from 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm, and the posters will remain on display throughout the afternoon for viewing by meeting attendees. All presentations – oral and poster – will be published in the proceedings of the meeting.
Restricted program space necessitates a limit on the number of presentations per company. Companies that are members of the Journal of Swine Health and Production Industry Support Council (listed on the inside front cover of JSHAP) may submit two topics for oral presentation. All other companies may submit one topic for oral presentation. Each company may submit one additional topic for poster presentation. All topics must represent information not previously presented at the AASV annual meeting or published in the meeting proceedings.
Topic titles, a brief description or abstract of the presentation content, and presenter information (name, address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address) must be received in the AASV office by October 1, 2007. Please identify whether the submission is intended for oral or poster presentation. Send to: Commercial Sessions, AASV, 902 1st Avenue, Perry, IA 50220-1703; Fax: 515-465-3832; E-mail: aasv@aasv.org.
Authors will be notified of their acceptance by October 15, 2007, and must submit the complete paper for publication in the meeting proceedings by November 15, 2007. Companies failing to submit papers in a timely manner will not be eligible for future participation in these sessions.
Waddell elected to COBTA
AASV member and past president Dr John Waddell, of Sutton, Nebraska, has been elected to serve a 6-year term on the AVMA Council for Biologic and Therapeutic Agents (COBTA), representing food-animal medicine. The election took place during the House of Delegates meeting at the AVMA Annual Convention in Washington, DC. Waddell’s candidacy was endorsed by both the AASV and the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association.
According to information on the AVMA Web site,1 COBTA “serves as an informational and advisory resource to government agencies and to other AVMA groups on issues pertaining to veterinary biologics, drugs, and other therapeutic agents. The council also fosters the proper use of biologic and therapeutic agents in the practice of veterinary medicine.”
Waddell’s background reflects his interest and experience in issues involving the availability and use of therapeutic agents. Most recently, he served as chair of the FDA Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee. From 1998 to 2000, he chaired the AVMA Steering Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance. He has also served as chair of the AASV Pharmaceutical Issues Committee. Waddell has been engaged in food-animal practice in Sutton, Nebraska, for 26 years.
Reference
1. American Veterinary Medical Association. Volunteering in the AVMA. Councils, Committees, and Trusts at a Glance. Available at: http://www.avma.org/about_avma/governance/volunteer_opp.pdf. Accessed 20 July 2007.
Call for papers – AASV 2008 student seminar and veterinary student scholarships
The AASV announces an opportunity for up to 15 veterinary students to make scientific presentations during the student seminar at the AASV Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 9, 2008, in San Diego, California. Interested students are invited to submit a one-page abstract of a research paper, clinical case study, or literature review for consideration. Abstracts and supplementary materials must be received by Dr Alex Ramirez by midnight on Friday, September 21, 2007 (firm deadline). Faxes are acceptable. Late abstracts will not be considered. The abstracts will be reviewed by an unbiased, professional panel consisting of a private practitioner, an academician at a school from which no students have submitted an abstract, and an industry veterinarian. Students whose papers are selected for presentation at the meeting will be notified by October 15, 2007, and will be expected to provide the complete paper or abstract for publication by November 15, 2007.
To help defray the costs of attending the AASV meeting, Alpharma Animal Health provides a $750 honorarium to the student presenter of each paper selected for the seminar.
Veterinary students whose papers are selected for presentation at the meeting will be eligible to compete for one of several veterinary student scholarships awarded through the AASV Foundation. The oral presentations will be judged to determine the amount of the scholarship awarded.
Alpharma Animal Health funds a $5000 scholarship for the student whose paper, oral presentation, and supporting information are judged best overall.
The Eli Lilly & Company Foundation, on behalf of Elanco Animal Health, has provided $20,000 in additional funding enabling the AASV Foundation to provide awards of $2500 each for 2nd through 5th place, $1500 each for 6th through 10th place, and $500 each for 11th through 15th place.
Students whose papers are not selected for oral presentation in the student seminar will be eligible to be considered for participation in a poster session at the annual meeting. Up to 15 posters will be selected through a competitive process. Alpharma funds a stipend of $250 for each student who is selected and participates in the poster presentation.
Complete information for preparing and submitting abstracts is available on the AASV website (https://www.aasv.org/annmtg/2008/studentseminar.htm). Please note: the rules for submission should be followed carefully. For more information, contact the AASV office (Tel: 515-465-5255; Fax: 515-465-3832; E-mail: aasv@aasv.org).