I have always had a natural inclination to all science and veterinary medicine topics, although I could not put to words what to specifically focus on until my time as an undergraduate student. At that time, I started working for a local swine veterinarian. Although he probably did not realize it at the time, Dr Nate Winkelman sparked a life-changing inspiration in me: my desire to pursue a career in swine medicine.
I appreciated the focus on the scientific application of medicine and research. I found the mindset of not only thinking of the individual pig but also the larger scale of the whole herd and public health invigorating. I enjoyed the passion of doing what is best for the pig and the producer. These aspects and more drove my interest in becoming a swine practitioner. I genuinely feel swine medicine is the true melting pot of medicine, health, and applied scientific rigor.
As someone who did not grow up on a swine farm, I cannot express how much the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) meant to me as I went through veterinary school. Because of AASV’s financial support for students attending the annual meeting, I was able to expand my pig knowledge and be exposed to experts from across the industry. I was also fortunate to receive the AASV and National Pork Industry Foundation stipend to gain more exposure to the swine veterinarian life. As a student, I competed in both the AASV student oral and poster contests and was an active member of Iowa State University’s AASV student chapter. These experiences built my immense respect and gratitude to the AASV organization and fueled my desire to return the favor to the association.
Attending veterinary school at Iowa State University allowed me a variety of hands-on experience in all stages of production and research. During veterinary school, I also completed my master’s degree in Veterinary Preventive Medicine under Dr Zimmerman focused on swine population surveillance methods. My master’s degree further developed my interest and understanding of the research principles we depend on as practitioners in the field. Upon graduation, I joined the Postville Veterinary Clinic, where I worked as a swine and cattle practitioner before joining Pipestone Veterinary Services in 2018.
Since graduating from veterinary school, I remain actively involved in giving back to the industry. I was selected to participate in the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association’s Power of Ten Leadership committee, served as co-chair of the AASV Communications committee, am an Operation Main Street speaker, and participated in the AASV program planning committee. Currently, I also serve on the Minnesota Swine Emergency Disease Management Committee (EDMC). Finally, I have spoken in the popular Practice Tips seminar at the annual meeting multiple times.
The nomination for AASV vice president is unbelievably humbling. If elected, my vision would be to ensure the swine industry has tools and knowledge in place to quickly and appropriately respond to a new transboundary or foreign animal disease threat, including but not limited to African swine fever (ASF). Specific objectives I have related to and beyond that vision are:
- By participating in EDMC and working with my Pipestone colleagues, it is clear that we must strive to prepare for the current ASF threat as well as the next one. These preparations include but are not limited to scientifically viable and validated options for depopulation and disposal methods.
- The threat of ASF has demonstrated how various members of the swine industry can come together to reach a common goal. Practitioners, university researchers, independent producers, production systems, feed companies, state government representatives, and others have come together to help protect our nation’s swine herd. I want to continue to foster these relationships into the future as we all are interdependent for pig well-being.
- I understand the importance of continuing AASV’s objective to recruit and keep younger generations of veterinarians involved in growing both the swine industry and the AASV organization. Younger veterinarians, like myself, and the next generation are going to be the future of this organization, and I want to see this group have greater involvement in shaping AASV’s trajectory.
- I was greatly impacted by AASV as a student and we, as an organization, must maintain this dedication to students. We cannot lose this focus as the industry continues to transform. If it is possible to improve this already incredible aspect of AASV, I will work to do so.
Thank you for taking the time to read my candidate message. Know that if elected, I will serve to the best of my ability. I hope you will consider me for the role of your AASV vice president.