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 the following five awards to be presented at the upcoming AASV Annual Meeting in Omaha.
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.
Swine Practitioner of the Year – Given annually to the swine practitioner (AASV member) who has demonstrated an unusual degree of proficiency in the delivery of veterinary service to his or her clients.
Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year – Given annually to the technical services or allied industry veterinarian who has demonstrated an unusual degree of proficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of veterinary service to his or her company and its clients as well as given tirelessly in service to the AASV and the swine industry.
Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year – Given annually to a swine veterinarian who is an AASV member, 5 years or less post graduation, who has demonstrated the ideals of exemplary service and proficiency early in his or her career.
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, 830 26th Street, Perry, IA 50220; Fax: 515-465-3832; E-mail: aasv@aasv.org.
Applicants sought for Alternate Student Delegate on AASV Board of Directors
The AASV Student Recruitment Committee is accepting applications for veterinary students interested in serving as the Alternate Student Delegate on the AASV Board of Directors. This student will represent student interests and serve as a non-voting member of the AASV board. This experience will provide the student with a unique perspective of the inner workings of the AASV. The term of service is 2 years: the first year as Alternate Student Delegate, and the second year as the Student Delegate.
The Alternate Student Delegate and Student Delegate are required to attend the AASV board’s two meetings each year: the spring meeting held during the AASV Annual Meeting and the fall meeting, which is usually held in October. The Student Delegate presents a summary of board activities to the student membership at the student breakfast during the AASV Annual Meeting, and should re-emphasize all student opportunities in AASV to the AASV student members at that time. In addition, the delegate and alternate delegate are voting members of the AASV Student Recruitment Committee and are invited to participate in committee conference calls and meetings. The delegates receive reimbursement to cover travel and lodging expenses for the fall board meeting and transportation expenses for the spring meeting.
Interested students must be members of AASV in the freshman or sophomore year. Applicants are required to submit the following documentation to the AASV (830 26th Street, Perry, IA 50220; E-mail: aasv@aasv.org).
An introductory letter, not to exceed one page, explaining why they want to serve as the Alternate Student Delegate for AASV, and their level of interest/background in swine medicine; and
A one- or two-page resume featuring the student’s interest and experience in production medicine, particularly swine medicine; and
A statement of recommendation from a faculty member.
The deadline for submission of necessary documentation is November 13, 2009. The delegate will be chosen by members of the AASV Student Recruitment Committee following review of the submitted materials.
The term of service is 2 years, beginning at the AASV Annual Meeting. During the first year, the student will serve as the Alternate Student Delegate. The alternate delegate will automatically succeed as Student Delegate, beginning at the annual meeting the following year. The alternate delegate will serve in the capacity of delegate if the selected Student Delegate is unable to carry out his or her duties. Each year, a new alternate delegate is selected by the AASV Student Recruitment Committee.
Questions may be directed to the chair of the AASV Student Recruitment Committee, Dr Amy Woods; E-mail: amy.woods@rssvet.com; Tel: 219-863-0871.
Student Recruitment Committee seeks practitioners to mentor students
The AASV Foundation is pleased to announce the second year of the National Pork Industry Foundation’s (NPIF’s) funding to provide $3300 each for six US veterinary students to participate in a 1-month mentorship with a swine practitioner in the United States. The target applicants include students with an interest but little to no experience in swine medicine. The goal of the program is to attract additional veterinary students into swine medicine and to provide interested students with some exposure to the life of a swine veterinarian.
The AASV Student Recruitment Committee (AASV-SRC) developed the program to link each selected first- or second-year veterinary student with a practitioner mentor for 1 year. During the summer, the student is required to spend 1 month under the practitioner’s guidance in the field. The $3300 stipend is meant to defer costs of travel, lodging, and compensation for the 1-month period. In addition, the student is encouraged to attend both the AASV Annual Meeting and the Leman Conference.
The AASV-SRC is seeking six US swine practitioners to be mentors for these students. Commitments include answering one student’s questions regarding the industry throughout the year and hosting the student for a minimum of 1 month in the summer.
Students and practitioners who participated in the 2008–2009 NPIF program speak highly of their experiences and the relationships they developed during the internship. Jeremy DiBari (Cornell University, class of 2011) says, “Without a doubt, my mentor (Dr Monte Fuhrman, Canistota, South Dakota) was the most fun, welcoming, and knowledgeable veterinarian I have worked with. He is the perfect mentor for a position where one welcomes aspiring veterinarians into the industry.” Kathleen Elstrott (Louisiana State University, class of 2011) praises her mentor, Dr Doug Powers of Rushville, Indiana: “Dr Powers is wonderful. I feel like he really took the mentorship part to heart. He genuinely cared about me learning about pigs and the industry. I feel like I can continue to use him as a mentor in the future as well.” Dr C. Scanlon Daniels of Dalhart, Texas, mentored Rachael Gately (Texas A&M, class of 2012), and says “We really enjoyed hosting a high-caliber student with the background and interest in becoming a swine veterinarian. It was extremely valuable for us to see what we do through the eyes of a student experiencing it for the first time.”
If you are interested in being a practitioner mentor, please contact Dr Jeremy S. Pittman at jeremypittman@murphybrownllc.com.