AASV News (May 2013)

AASV President Dr Matt Anderson (ISU ‘99) is a Minnesota native who grew up around hogs, cattle, and crop farming near Stuart, Iowa. After graduating from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr Anderson started his veterinary practice career in Morris, Minnesota. He has been a partner/owner in Suidae Health and Production in Algona, Iowa, since 2001. Suidae is a seven-veterinarian, swine-only practice focused on providing full-service swine veterinary care as well as swine health and business consulting. The practice also has business initiatives in production management and research.

When asked about his objectives for the coming year, Dr Anderson commented on the strength of AASV and the emphasis of its members on providing high-quality service for their clients and the animals in their care. He went on to say, “From a disease standpoint, PRRS continues to be our number one challenge and we have to maintain our focus on controlling the disease. But at the same time we should not lose sight of other disease challenges, such as foreign animal diseases and endemic diseases like influenza. AASV members embrace their role as advocates for the well-being of the animals in our care. Swine veterinarians need to continue to be the voice of reality and strong science to support our clients, patients, and customers. The leadership structure of the AASV promotes continuity within the organization, and I look forward to being a good steward of the association’s legacy while continuing to address the challenges faced by our profession and the swine industry.”

AASV President-elect Dr Michelle Sprague (ISU ‘05) grew up on a small farrow-to-finish and row crop farm in Glenwood, Iowa. Following graduation from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she joined the Audubon Manning Veterinary Clinic (AMVC) in Audubon, Iowa. She is currently a partner and director of sow health at AMVC. Her responsibilities include overseeing animal health, biosecurity, food safety, and animal welfare on all the clinic’s managed sow farms.

Dr Sprague has been an active member of the AASV, currently serving as chair of the Pig Welfare Committee and as a member of the PADRAP Advisory Committee. She was awarded the AASV Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award in 2010 and is a frequent speaker at various professional and industry meetings, including AASV. She also represents AASV on AVMA’s Animal Welfare Committee and is a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association.

AASV Vice President Dr Ron Brodersen (ISU ‘79 grew up on a livestock farm near Coleridge, Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Iowa State University where he received a DVM degree, and also attended the University of Illinois EVP program. Dr Brodersen is the owner of Whole Hog Health Center at Hartington, Nebraska, where he has been providing swine veterinary services since 1990. He was active on the Nebraska Pseudorabies Eradication Task Force in the 1990s. Dr. Brodersen has been active in the AASV, serving on the board of directors, as well as the Pharmaceutical and Boar Stud committees. He has also served as chairman of the AASV Foundation. The AASV recognized him as the Swine Practitioner of the Year in 2003.

Dr Brodersen said of his election, “I am humbled and honored to be selected as an officer of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. AASV and its members are without a doubt the leading resource for knowledge of swine health and welfare in the world. I will do my best to enhance this role and to serve our membership.”

AASV Past President Dr Tara Donovan (KSU ‘98) is the vice-president of veterinary management for the Hanor Company, one of the country’s top pork producers with operations in six states and over 500 employees. After joining the company 14 years ago as a herd veterinarian, her responsibilities now encompass integration among all aspects of pork production in addition to the traditional role involving production, research, and development. Dr Donovan has been active on several AASV committees, including chair of the Human Health and Safety Committee. She has also been an active member of several working groups for the National Pork Board and a member of the National Pork Producers Council Antibiotic Working Group.

Call for papers – AASV 2014 Student Seminar

Veterinary Student Scholarships

To help defray the costs of attending the AASV meeting, Zoetis provides a $750 honorarium to the student presenter of each paper selected for oral presentation during the Student Seminar.

Each veterinary student whose paper is selected for oral presentation also competes 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. Zoetis funds a $5000 scholarship for the student whose paper, oral presentation, and supporting information are judged best overall. Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, on behalf of Elanco Animal Health, provides $20,000 in additional funding, enabling the AASV Foundation to award $2500 each for 2nd through 5th place, $1500 each for 6th through 10th place, and $500 each for 11th through 15th place.

Abstracts that are not selected for oral presentation in the Student Seminar will be considered for participation in a poster session at the annual meeting. Zoetis and the AASV fund a stipend of $250 for each student who is selected and participates in the poster competition. In addition, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc provides financial support for the Veterinary Student Poster Competition. The presenters of the top 15 poster abstracts compete for awards ranging from $200 to $500.

Complete information for preparing and submitting abstracts is available on the AASV Web site at www.aasv.org/annmtg/2014/studentseminar.php. 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).