AASV News (Jan 2018)

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) welcomes Ms Sherrie Webb as associate editor of the Journal of Swine Health and Production (JSHAP). In her new role, Webb will join the current JSHAP staff tasked with producing the association’s bi-monthly journal. Webb accepted the position currently held by Dr Judi Bell, who has announced her retirement after 17 years with the journal.

Webb will be responsible for editing and proofreading scientific articles submitted for publication in JSHAP. She will work closely with the authors to address comments from reviewers and the executive editor to ensure the articles conform to the journal’s standards for grammar and style. In addition to her work with JSHAP, Webb will also utilize her expertise in swine well-being to advise on animal welfare issues and aid in the development of welfare outreach and education opportunities for AASV.

“We are thrilled to be adding Sherrie to our staff at AASV. Her scientific credentials, knowledge, and experience provide a tremendous opportunity for AASV, both in her editorial role and her work in the area of swine welfare,” noted Dr Tom Burkgren, AASV executive director.

Webb received her Master’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Illinois in 2006. Prior to joining AASV, Webb was Director of Animal Welfare, Science & Technology for the National Pork Board where she oversaw the Pork Checkoff animal welfare program. In that role, she worked with veterinarians, producers, and other segments of the pork chain to identify welfare issues concerning the swine industry and worked collaboratively to provide solutions to these issues.

Sherrie will begin her new responsibilities on January 8, 2018. Please join us in welcoming Sherrie to AASV and JSHAP.

Burkgren announces retirement

At the AASV fall board meeting, Dr Tom Burkgren communicated his desire to retire from his role as executive director of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Dr Burkgren has served our organization very capably for 24 years, 21 years in the role of executive director. His dedication, professionalism, and leadership will be missed.

The AASV and Dr Burkgren have agreed to a contract extension that allows the association approximately a year to identify a replacement while Tom continues his current duties and responsibilities. This extension also allows for an overlap in employment with the successful applicant to accommodate a smooth transition.

The board has authorized the formation of a search committee to begin this process. The committee membership consists of Drs Scanlon Daniels, Bill Hollis, Deb Murray, Megan Potter, Max Rodibaugh, and Pete Thomas. The committee is in the process of evaluating third-party facilitators who may be of assistance in the search process. The search committee and board understand the importance of conducting this process with integrity, diligence, confidentiality, and transparency.

We will strive to keep you informed of updates on the process and timeline as they develop. Please join me in thanking Tom for his service to our membership and profession.

Scanlon Daniels, DVM
Chair, Search Committee

University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine establishes fund in memory of Dr Bob Morrison

Throughout his distinguished professional career, Dr Bob Morrison was an integral part of the swine community as a practitioner, professor, swine producer, researcher, veterinarian, mentor, and valued colleague and friend to many. Bob was passionate about helping producers and veterinarians and led educational programs that built human capacity that transformed our industry. With this spirit in mind, the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine has established the Morrison Fund to carry forward Bob’s impact. The university-sponsored initiative focuses on outreach, integrates research and industry, working with swine practitioners and farmers, and contributes to the success of the swine industry. Contributions to the university will support a broad community of DVM students, graduate students, practitioners, and researchers to lead the industry in important and sound study and knowledge-based advances in health and production.

Bob received his DVM from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan in 1979 followed by his PhD and MBA from the University of Minnesota in 1984 and 1994, respectively. Bob started his tenure as faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1986. Bob cherished his time teaching and mentoring veterinary and graduate students for the duration of his life. He was passionate about the swine industry and helping veterinarians and producers address their challenges. Bob served as AASV president and he was instrumental in establishing and leading the Journal of Swine Health and Production in the early days. Bob was active in various industry committees and at the AASV, and his impact was felt at many levels. Bob coordinated two internationally recognized conferences, the Leman Swine Conference and the Leman China Conference, and in 2016 Bob was recognized with the prestigious Master of Pork Industry Award by the National Hog Farmer for his dedication to swine producers.

His work at the University of Minnesota helped lead the industry in the control of important diseases of swine from pseudorabies to PRRS, PED, and beyond. Bob’s drive and passion invigorated everyone he touched and was evident in all aspects of his life and work. He ably combined grace, sincerity, kindness, humor, and a great vitality. He had a boundless sense of curiosity, with which he guided us to seek out answers with him. He often mentioned that if there was an attribute he wanted to be remembered for, it was “integrity.” We surely will remember Bob’s integrity. Bob had a deep impact on every person who worked with him. Bob’s unique talent for creating relationships that advanced the swine industry culminated in the creation of the Swine Health Monitoring Project (SHMP) (now called the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Program), an initiative that Bob conducted with great pride. The MSHMP has led the swine communities to share data to more effectively manage and control diseases, and provides a foundation to more ably address future challenges. Bob always sought to do meaningful work that would yield value for producers, veterinarians, researchers, and consumers.

Through this initiative, the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine strives to carry forward Bob’s legacy by continuing his efforts to help producers and veterinarians and build human capacity that transforms our industry. For more information about the Morrison Fund please contact Mindy Means at mkmeans@umn.edu or Tel: 612-626-5482 or Cell: 208-310-3562; https://makingagift.umn.edu/donate/fund-contact-info.html?&fundCode=21980.

Montse Torremorell, DVM, PhD
University of Minnesota