Annual meeting report

2014 AASV Annual Meeting highly successful

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) held its 45th annual meeting in Dallas, Texas, March 1-4, 2014. The meeting, held at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, drew 1046 total attendees including 612 paid registrants and 133 students. The participants represented 25 countries, with 22% of attendees from outside the United States. Total attendance included 235 allied industry representatives from 81 exhibitors manning a record 82 technical tables. The students in attendance represented 21 veterinary schools!

The theme of this year’s meeting was “Our oath in practice.” The participants were presented with numerous educational sessions including 10 pre-conference workshops, two general sessions, three break-out sessions, research topics, industrial partner sessions, 15 Student Seminar presentations, and 95 posters.

Dr Daryl Olsen opened the Monday General Session with the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture. His presentation, entitled “The pig always wins,” reminds us that we as veterinarians took an oath to speak for the pig. He concluded by saying, “If we practice scientific, ethical veterinary medicine, based on our Veterinarian’s Oath, then the pig will always win.” Dr Mark Engle followed up with the Alex Hogg Memorial Lecture entitled “The PED challenge: Application of our veterinary oath to represent the interest of the pig.” Dr Engle reminded us that the fulfillment of our oath requires a commitment to lifelong learning, and the introduction of PED virus continues to teach us lessons about disease response and management.

The Monday afternoon session included presentations on PRRS, swine influenza, Mycoplasma, enteric disease, and animal welfare. Trent Loos started off the Tuesday morning session challenging us to become “agvocates” for our profession and the swine industry. The remainder of the Tuesday session focused on the impact of the introduction of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus into the North American swine herd. All of the General Session presentations on Monday and Tuesday were video recorded and will be posted in the video library of the AASV Web site in the near future.

In addition, 15 AASV committees met during the annual meeting, and the board of directors convened at the close of the meeting on Tuesday afternoon, recognizing the new slate of officers: Drs Michelle Sprague, President; Ron Brodersen, President-elect; George Charbonneau, Vice President; and Matt Anderson, Past President. The board also welcomed incoming representatives: District 2, Dr Gene Nemechek; District 5, Dr Bill Hollis; District 9, Dr Jeff Kurt; and District 11, Dr Blaine Tully. The 2015 annual meeting will be held February 28-March 3 in Orlando, Florida. If you would like to provide feedback on this year’s meeting or suggestions for future meetings, please complete the short online survey at http://fluidsurveys.com/s/AASV2014/.

AASV annual awards

The AASV honored five members for their contributions to the association and the swine industry. Dr Paul Ruen, 2010 AASV President, presented the awards at Monday night’s reception.

Swine Practitioner of the Year

Dr Matthew Turner was named 2014 Swine Practitioner of the Year by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. The award is given to the swine practitioner who has demonstrated an unusual degree of proficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of veterinary service to clients.

Dr Turner obtained his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine (NCSU-CVM) in 2000. Following graduation, he accepted the position of staff veterinarian at Prestage Farms in Clinton, North Carolina. He completed the Executive Veterinary Program at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009.

Dr Turner has represented District 2 on the AASV Board of Directors and is a member of the AVMA and the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association (NCVMA). He was selected as the NCVMA’s “Young Veterinarian of the Year” in 2004 and was named to Pfizer Animal Health’s “10 Under 40” list of young veterinarians making contributions in swine medicine. He was also the focus of a “Veterinarians on Call” video on swine health and food safety produced by Zoetis. In addition to practice, he also serves as an adjunct faculty at NCSU-CVM and has been recognized for his dedication to mentoring students. According to students he has mentored, he tries to focus on what the student needs and stresses key issues such as food safety, animal welfare, and communication.

Asked to comment about receiving this award, Dr Turner replied, “I have been extremely fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful people in my life. This award is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the quality of individuals that have helped mentor me, including co-workers and students.”

Dr Turner and his wife, Dr Beth Turner, currently reside in Faison, North Carolina, with their son, Christopher.

Howard Dunne Memorial Award

Dr Locke Karriker received the American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ 2014 Howard Dunne Memorial Award. The award recognizes an AASV member who has made important contributions and provided outstanding service to the association and the swine industry.

Dr Karriker received his DVM (1999) and MS in Veterinary Science (2000) from Mississippi State University. He completed board certification and became a Diplomate in the College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine in 2006 and completed the Executive Veterinary Program in Swine Health Management at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. He is currently Associate Professor with Tenure in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine and serves as the director of the Swine Medicine Education Center at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine (ISU-CVM).

In addition to being a prolific researcher, Dr Karriker is dedicated to mentoring students. He is currently instructor-in-charge of multiple swine-oriented classes at the ISU-CVM. In addition, he teaches courses at Kansas State University and the University of Wisconsin. The student-team-driven, case-based problem solving format that he pioneered and now uses in the Advanced Swine Production Medicine course is highly effective, and now this approach is being adopted in the dairy and beef courses as well. Dr Karriker has authored numerous refereed publications in addition to serving as an editor for the 10th edition of Diseases of Swine.

He is highly respected by students and colleagues alike. He is the recipient of the 2011 Dr William O. Reece Award for Outstanding Academic Advising from the ISU-CVM. In one of the many letters of nomination we received, Dr Pat Halbur described Karriker as “a franchise player in academia…a triple threat… a world-class clinical instructor, a highly valued resource on evidence-based medicine for practitioners and swine producers, and a highly regarded applied researcher.”

Says Karriker, “I sincerely appreciate the many teachers, mentors, and colleagues that have provided guidance and opportunities to me throughout my career. I’m very proud of our students and the high standards they achieve and would like to thank them for making my role very rewarding. The accomplishments of the previous awardees create an intense respect for the award, and I am thankful for the opportunity to work hard and be an adequate custodian of the standards they have demonstrated. I am proud to be a swine veterinarian, a teacher, and a member of this organization.”

Dr Karriker lives with his wife, Rachael, in Ames, Iowa. They are expecting their first child in September.

Meritorious Service Award

Dr Harry Snelson was named the 2014 recipient of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ Meritorious Service Award. The award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service to the AASV.

Dr Snelson received his DVM from the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine (NCSU-CVM) in 1990. Following completion of the inaugural Swine Medicine Internship at NCSU-CVM, he accepted a position as the swine veterinarian for Carroll’s Foods in Warsaw, North Carolina. He left Carroll’s in 2000 to join the swine technical services team at Schering-Plough Animal Health as Manager of Swine Tech Services. In 2003, he accepted a unique opportunity as the Director of Science and Technology with the National Pork Producers Council in Washington, DC. Then, in 2005, what he calls “the opportunity of a lifetime” presented itself with the formation of his current position as AASV Director of Communications. He completed the Executive Veterinary Program at the University of Illinois in 2009.

Dr Snelson has been a member of AASV since 1988, joining while still a student. He was trained as a foreign animal disease diagnostician at Plum Island in 2000 and participated in foreign-animal disease-eradication programs in Mexico and the United Kingdom. He has been active in AASV committees and chaired the Foreign Animal Disease committee. He also represented District 2 on the board of directors 1999-2004.

He was very honored, and quite surprised, to receive the award, noting “it’s very special to be recognized for doing something you really enjoy. Having the opportunity to work with Tom and Sue has been a great learning experience for me. Although I’m ‘on staff,’ I still consider myself a member of AASV and appreciate the camaraderie and family-like feel that permeates our association. It’s an honor to be able to work with our members, leadership, and staff, and to advocate for issues of importance to our profession.”

Harry and Jan reside in Burgaw, North Carolina.

Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award was presented to Dr Aaron Lower. It is given annually to an AASV member 5 or fewer years post graduation who has demonstrated the ideals of exemplary service and proficiency early in his or her career.

Dr Lower is a 2009 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Raised in Lanark, Illinois, on a livestock farm, this background heavily influenced his desire to work with livestock producers. Following graduation, Lower joined Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd in Carthage, Illinois. This swine practice allows him to provide health, diagnostic, production, and research support to his clients throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri.

He is a member of AASV, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association. He has been active within the AASV association, as he won the Best Student Presentation Award at the 2007 AASV Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, and served as the first student delegate to the AASV Board of Directors that same year. He has also served on the AASV Student Recruitment and Influenza Committees.

He has given a number of presentations at national meetings including AASV, the Iowa State University Swine Disease Conference, and the Leman Swine Conference. He is in partnership with his family in livestock production at home, while also maintaining his role as a partner in Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd. He is noted for his emphasis on client communications and expanding his international consulting opportunities with clients in Asia.

At acceptance of the award, Dr Lower noted, “the swine industry and specifically AASV have provided abundant opportunities and mentors to develop the key skills needed in swine veterinary medicine. I am extremely grateful and appreciative of these influences on my life and career.”

Dr Lower resides in White Heath, Illinois, with his wife Roberta.

Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year Award

Dr Darrell Neuberger received the American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year Award. Established in 2008, the award recognizes swine-industry veterinarians who have demonstrated an unusual degree of proficiency and effectiveness in delivery of veterinary service to their companies and their clients, as well as given tirelessly in service to the AASV and the swine industry.

Dr Neuberger was recognized for his years in technical service first as a swine health management veterinarian for Fort Dodge Animal Health and his current role with Zoetis. In his position, Dr Neuberger’s responsibilities include providing technical product expertise and supporting the company’s sales force. Swine producers he works with commented on his skill at mentoring recent veterinary graduates, and he currently mentors a select group of veterinary students who have a swine focus.

Dr Neuberger received his DVM (1977) from the Iowa State University (ISU) College of Veterinary Medicine. He later completed the Executive Veterinary Program in Swine Health Management at the University of Illinois in 2000. Following graduation, he joined the Garner-Ventura Vet Clinic in Garner, Iowa, a mixed-animal practice, before joining Fort Dodge Animal Health in 1997.

Elected by his peers, Dr Neuberger served as president of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association from 2005 to 2006. In 2013, he was recognized into the President’s Circle by his current employer, Zoetis. Along with teaching and mentoring, Darrell always enjoys grilling pork loins for the students. Darrell is also currently involved in Operation Main Street, where he talks with pre-veterinary students at ISU.

When asked to comment on what the award meant to him, Dr Neuberger said, “I am very fortunate to be able to work with veterinarians and people in the swine industry on a daily basis. I have been able to interact with high quality veterinary students who have a swine interest. I am part of a great group of technical services veterinarians at Zoetis. They are all fantastic people. To be recognized by them and receive this award is a truly great honor.”

Dr Neuberger and his wife, Diane, reside in Garner, Iowa. They have three daughters: Melissa and her husband William and their three children, who live in Manassas, Virginia; Kristin, who lives in Plymouth, Minnesota; and Erin and her husband Nick and their son, who live in Davie, Florida.

Student Seminar scholarships

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation awarded scholarships totaling $25,000 to 15 veterinary students during the 45th AASV Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas.

Deanne Day, Iowa State University, received the $5000 scholarship for top student presentation. Her presentation was titled “Infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Streptococcus suis changes the pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur hydrochloride in nursery pigs.” Zoetis 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: Laura Carroll, North Carolina State University; Alexander Hintz, University of Wisconsin; Andrew Kryzer, University of Minnesota; and Jake Schwartz, University of Minnesota.

Dr Pete Sherlock (far left) on behalf of Elanco Animal Health presented scholarships provided by Eli Lilly and Company Foundation. Recipients of the $2500 AASV Foundation scholarships were (from left) Alexander Hintz, University of Wisconsin; Laura Carroll, North Carolina State University; Andrew Kryzer, University of Minnesota; Jake Schwartz, University of Minnesota.

Five veterinary student presenters received $1500 scholarships: Daniel Boykin, North Carolina State University; Alexandra Buckley, Michigan State University; Brigitte Mason, University of Illinois; Brianna Peters, University of Tennessee; and Katherine Wedel, University of Minnesota.

Dr Pete Sherlock (far left) on behalf of Elanco Animal Health presented scholarships provided by Eli Lilly and Company Foundation. Recipients of the $1500 AASV Foundation scholarships were (from left) Katherine Wedel, University of Minnesota; Alexandra Buckley, Michigan State University; Brigitte Mason, University of Illinois; Brianna Peters, University of Tennessee; Daniel Boykin, North Carolina State University.

Student presenters receiving $500 scholarships were Levi Johnson, Iowa State University; Anna Samson, Colorado State University; Ethan Spronk, University of Minnesota; Elizabeth Stiles, University of Pennsylvania; and Ryan Strobel, University of Minnesota.

Dr Pete Sherlock (far left) on behalf of Elanco Animal Health presented scholarships provided by Eli Lilly and Company Foundation. Recipients of the $500 AASV Foundation scholarships were (from left): Anna Samson, Colorado State University; Elizabeth Stiles, University of Pennsylvania; Levi Johnson, Iowa State University; Ethan Spronk, University of Minnesota; Ryan Strobel, University of Minnesota.

Fifty-nine veterinary students from 17 universities submitted abstracts for consideration. From those submissions, 15 students were selected to present during the annual meeting. Zoetis, sponsor of the Student Seminar, provided a $750 travel stipend to each student selected to participate.

A panel of judges selected the recipients on the basis of communications skills in the writing of the abstract and the presentation of the report and on applicability of the research to swine medicine.

Student Poster Competition

The AASV provided an opportunity for 15 veterinary students to compete for awards in the Veterinary Student Poster Competition. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc sponsored the competition, offering awards totaling $4000.

On the basis of scores received in the original judging of abstracts submitted for the AASV Student Seminar, the top 15 abstracts not selected for oral presentation at the annual meeting were eligible to compete in the poster competition.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc announced the following awards during the AASV Luncheon on March 3.

$500 Award: Tyler Te Grotenhuis, Iowa State University – Top student poster entitled “Using placental umbilical cord serum to determine porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) status of breeding herd.”

$400 awards: Amy Daniels, University of Illinois, and Christine Mainquist, Iowa State University.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc announced the recipients of the $400 poster-competion winners (from left): Christine Mainquist, Iowa State University; Amy Daniels, University of Illinois

$300 awards: Brent Pepin, Iowa State University; Christopher Sievers, Iowa State University; and Lisa Yeske-Livermore, Iowa State University.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc announced the recipients of the $300 poster-competion winners (from left): Christopher Sievers, Iowa State University; Brent Pepin, Iowa State University; Lisa Yeske-Livermore, Iowa State University

$200 awards: Matthew Cook, University of Pennsylvania; Lauren Glowzenski, University of Pennsylvania; Jessica Johnson, University of Minnesota; Justin Kuecker, Iowa State University; Carrie Lee, University of Minnesota; Chad O’Connor, University of Illinois; Lauren Scruggs, Auburn University; Shannon Walsh, University of Guelph; and Christina Yamazaki, University of Prince Edward Island.

In addition to the poster competition awards, each student poster participant received a $250 travel stipend from Zoetis and the AASV.

Annual Business Breakfast

AASV president Dr Matt Anderson reported on the association’s membership and activities during the annual breakfast on Tuesday, March 4. He stated that there are 1724 members, including 335 student members. Dr Anderson thanked outgoing directors Drs Matthew Turner (District 2), Doug Groth (District 5), Scott Dee (District 9), and George Charbonneau (District 11), and Joshua Duff, Student Delegate to the board, for their service. He congratulated incoming Alternate Student Delegate Chris Sievers.

Honored guests at the Business Breakfast included Dr Clark Fobian (AVMA President), Dr Ron DeHaven (AVMA Executive Vice President), Dr Gary Brown (AVMA Executive Board Liaison), Dr Paul Sundberg (NPB Senior VP of Science and Technology), Dr Liz Wagstrom (National Pork Producers Council Chief Veterinarian) and Dr Dan Grooms (AABP President). The audience heard updates from each respective organization. Approximately 200 people attended the breakfast.

New officers

Dr Michelle Sprague was installed as president, succeeding Dr Matt Anderson, who is now immediate past president. Dr Ron Brodersen has ascended to president-elect. The newly elected vice president is Dr George Charbonneau.

Save the date

The 2015 annual meeting is scheduled for February 28-March 3, 2015, in Orlando, Florida.

Photo courtesy statement

Photos are courtesy of Tina Smith.