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AASV News

Students: Apply for Alternate Student Delegate position by November 17

The AASV Student Engagement Committee is accepting applications from 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 of Directors’ fall and spring meetings each year, as well as the 2 AASV Annual Meetings held during their term. The spring board of directors meeting is usually held in early April and the fall board meeting is generally held in late September or early October. Recent board meetings have been held in central Iowa, but the date and location can vary, as determined by the board. The 2 delegates work with AASV staff to prepare for student activities (ie, Vet Hunt, Speed Networking, etc) conducted during the AASV Annual Meeting. During the student breakfast at the Annual Meeting, the student delegate is encouraged to present a summary of board activities and describe student opportunities in AASV to the students in attendance. In addition, the delegate and alternate delegate serve as voting members of the AASV Student Engagement Committee and are invited to participate in committee conference calls and meetings.

Both delegates receive reimbursement of their travel and lodging expenses to attend board meetings as well as both AASV Annual Meetings held during their term of office.

Interested students must be members of AASV in their freshman or sophomore year. The Student Engagement Committee does take notice of repeat applicants in the selection process. Applicants are required to submit the following documentation to the AASV (aasv@aasv.org):

  1. An introductory letter, not to exceed one page, describing why they want to serve as the alternate student delegate for AASV, their level of interest/background in swine medicine, and their future career goals.
  2. A one- or two-page resume featuring the student’s interest and experience in production medicine, particularly swine medicine.
  3. A statement of recommendation from a faculty member.

The deadline for submission of necessary documentation is Friday, November 17, 2023. The delegate will be chosen by members of the AASV Student Engagement 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 student delegate is unable to carry out thier duties. Each year, a new alternate delegate is selected by the AASV Student Engagement Committee.

Questions may be directed to the chair of the AASV Student Engagement Committee, Dr Jamie Madigan, jamiemm@pillenfamilyfarms.com.

AASV award nominations due December 11

When considering who to nominate for the AASV awards to be presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting, it seems especially appropriate to keep the meeting theme – Leading AASV into the Future – in mind. Do you know a member who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and vision as they carry out their role in practice, technical services, academia, research, or another area? Someone whose actions are benefiting and leading AASV and the swine veterinary profession into the future? Nominate them for one of the following 6 awards to be presented in Nashville, Tennessee!

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 their 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 their company and its clients as well as given tirelessly in service to the AASV and the swine industry.

Outstanding Swine Academic of the Year – Given annually to an AASV member employed in academia who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, and service to the swine veterinary profession. Faculty members, graduate students, and researchers are eligible to receive this award.

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 their career. Those AASV members who received their veterinary degree in 2018 through 2022 are eligible to be considered for the 2024 award.

Are you wondering who has been recognized in the past? See aasv.org/aasv/awards for a list of the previous recipients of each award.

Nominations are due December 11. The nomination letter should specify the award and cite the qualifications of the candidate for the award. Submit nominations to AASV by mail, 830 26th Street, Perry, Iowa 50220, or email: aasv@aasv.org.

AASV meets with AVMA leadership

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Board of Directors and staff visited the National Animal Disease Center and the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Ames, Iowa in September. The AASV leadership took advantage of the opportunity to discuss swine medicine with AVMA leadership during their visit to Iowa.

An overview of US pork production and the swine industry was provided by AASV Executive Director Dr Harry Snelson, and AASV Director of Public Health and Communications Dr Abbey Canon described AASV and its membership. Dr Liz Wagstrom introduced the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council, and Dr Paul Sundberg described the Swine Health Information Center. Drs Deb Murray and Aaron Lower, AASV representatives to the AVMA House of Delegates, and AASV President Dr Bill Hollis provided accounts of current swine veterinary practice and workforce challenges. Dr Canon highlighted some of AASV’s efforts to examine swine veterinary attrition and address retention. Dr Mike Senn, AASV past president, explained the current and recent challenges facing swine veterinarians and pork producers, including Proposition 12, depopulation, and vaccine technology. Dr Locke Karriker, AASV vice-president, further described obstacles in swine veterinary education.

AASV Board of Directors conducted business in August

The AASV Board of Directors met August 30-31 in Manhattan, Kansas where they took several actions during the business portion of the meeting.

Antimicrobial stewardship course reimbursements: The board approved a motion from the Pharmaceutical Issues Committee to reimburse 20 AASV-member practitioners upon completion of the Swine Medicine Education Center’s course on antimicrobial stewardship.

International withdrawal database: The board passed a motion to provide $10,000 for a gap analysis to be completed as Phase 1 of a larger, 3-phase project to prepare an evidence-based international withdrawal interval database.

MentorVet scholarships: The board reviewed available evaluations from participants who completed the AASV-funded MentorVet program in July 2023, along with data from the MentorVet program itself. The board approved $2995 to fund scholarships for 5 AASV-member, early-career veterinarians (2019-2023 veterinary graduates) to participate in the spring 2024 cohort of the MentorVet Leap program.

Swine faculty survey: The board approved a request from the Collegiate Activities Committee to conduct a survey to identify recruitment and retention issues for swine faculty at veterinary institutions.

Collegiate Activities Committee mission change: The board approved a revised committee mission statement, available at aasv.org/members/only/committee/CollegiateActivitiesCommittee.php.

Position statements: Two position statements were approved by the board. AASV position statements undergo review every three years on a rotating basis. See aasv.org/aasv/positions.htm for all current positions.

Complete Board of Directors and Executive Committee meeting minutes are available to AASV members at aasv.org/aasv/board.