Annual Meeting Report

Attendees look to lead into the future during the AASV Annual Meeting

Dr Angelia Baysinger, AASV president-elect and program chair welcomes attendees to the 55th Annual Meeting.

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) held its 55th Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, February 24-27, 2024, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. The theme this year, “Leading AASV into the Future,” emphasized the importance of acknowledging and embracing an AASV member’s role in the future of swine production and provision of food for the world. Program Chair and AASV President-elect Dr Angela Baysinger called on the 2024 program planning committee to compile a scientific program where attendees could learn from the past and lead into the future. She challenged attendees to follow Albert Einstein’s approach, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”

This year’s Annual Meeting drew 1040 total attendees, including 104 veterinary students from 23 universities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The total attendance also included 260 exhibit representatives from 98 companies and organizations and 4 media representatives. Including the United States, 22 countries were represented; 15% of attendees came from outside the United States.

Meeting participants enjoyed the opportunity to listen to 219 speakers and poster presenters by attending educational sessions including 10 preconference seminars, 2 general sessions, 3 concurrent sessions, 1 Research Topics session, 3 Industrial Partners sessions, the Student Seminar, and a poster session featuring posters from students, researchers, and industrial partners.

Preconference seminars included topics about diagnostic data, disease preparedness, swine business, pig livability, bio- security, influenza, field research, and nutrition. Saturday’s Pig Livability: What Works, What Doesn’t preconference seminar drew the most preregistered attendees. As always, the Swine Medicine for Students preconference seminar was well attended by veterinary students. Sunday afternoon, veterinary students highlighted their research and experience to a large crowd during the Student Seminar.

The ever-popular Dr Max Rodibaugh Practice Tips preconference seminar was voluntarily judged by Drs Bryant Chapman, Kelly Greiner, and Lisa Tokach and chaired by Dr Melissa Billing. Dr Will Fombelle’s presentation titled, “Triaging emergencies: Be the calm after the storm,” received the top prize, followed by Dr Rachel Stika Jensen’s “Round up the pigs” and Dr Susan Detmer’s “Catching the flu: Best practices for successful sampling.”

Dr Joel Nerem, chief veterinary officer at Pipestone, opened the Monday general session with the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture. During his presentation titled “Swine veterinarians: Who are we and where are we going?,” he encouraged veterinarians to focus on the pig, the farmer, and the consumer. He defined a “next generation swine veterinarian” as someone who eliminates diseases, welcomes next generation biosecurity, promotes foreign animal disease preparedness, develops traceability solutions, champions pig welfare, and embraces consumer preferences and delivers solutions to farmers.

Dr Chris Rademacher, clinical professor and swine extension veterinarian at Iowa State University, presented the Alex Hogg Memorial Lecture titled “Past, present, and future challenges for the swine veterinary profession.” After a tribute to Dr Hogg and the many mentors and experiences that shaped his life, Dr Rademacher acknowledged the challenges of swine veterinary education, recruitment and retention of the next generation of swine veterinarians, and an evolving profession. He recognized any solution will require a different way of thinking about swine veterinary practice. He said, “The key to relationships is understanding people. We raise pigs, but we are still in the people business.”

Speakers during the second half of the Monday general session described disease elimination and eradication challenges, including a zombie apocalypse approach to biosecurity, biocontainment, and disease control and elimination.

The Monday afternoon concurrent sessions challenged veterinarians to think critically about sustaining the farm in the face of evolution, moving disease elimination beyond theory and into success in the future, and what immunology tools are available today and those in a toolbox of the future. The Tuesday general session encouraged attendees to refocus on the end goal – producing safe, wholesome, and high-quality pork.

While continuing education is incredibly important to attending veterinarians, some of the most valuable takeaways from each Annual Meeting might be the personal and professional connections made outside of each session. In addition to the scientific sessions, avant-garde ideas and generous sponsorships allow the AASV to host professional and student social networking events, personal and professional development opportunities, self-care experiences, and receptions to celebrate and recognize student, college, and mentor accomplishments.

Fourteen AASV committees met during the Annual Meeting to discuss important issues in swine health, public health, pig welfare, and membership services. For the first time, several universities hosted receptions for their collegiate alumni. Students met and mingled with peers and veterinarians during multiple student social events. Luggage tags with the AASV logo and other prizes were awarded to those who participated in a member scavenger hunt to help attendees welcome new faces, get to know and appreciate their AASV colleagues, and promote well-being and inclusivity. Thanks to efforts by the AASV Human Health, Safety, and Well-being Committee, basic hearing tests were offered by the Vanderbilt Audiology Community Outreach Team at no charge to attendees. A yoga class was fun for early morning risers looking to exercise their mind, body, and spirit. Early morning risers also joined together for breakfast, music, and fellowship at the annual praise breakfast.

For the second year, the AASV Foundation cosponsored the Monday luncheon with the AASV. Recipients of AASV Foundation-funded programs, including veterinary student scholarships, Alex Hogg Memorial Scholarships, Zoetis Foundation and Dr Conrad and Judy Schmidt Family Student Debt Relief Scholarships, and research grants were announced. The Foundation also honored its newest Heritage fellows, Dr Hans and Darci Koehnk. The AASV Student Podcast Award winner Kaci Way was announced, as were the Dr Max Rodibaugh Practice Tips seminar winners.

AASV Awards Reception

The AASV Awards Reception was held Monday night, followed by the AASV Foundation’s annual fund-raising auction. Dr Jeff Harker, 2020 AASV president and 2024 AASV Awards Selection Committee chair, introduced the recipients of the Swine Practitioner of the Year Award, the Howard Dunne Memorial Award, the Meritorious Service Award, the Outstanding Swine Academic of the Year Award, the Technical Services/ Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year Award, and the Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award.

Swine Practitioner of the Year

Dr Matt Allerson, recipient of the AASV Swine Practitioner of the Year Award.

Dr Matt Allerson was named the 2024 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 Allerson earned a BS from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He received an MPH, DVM, and PhD from the University of Minnesota.

Dr Allerson is a veterinarian at Holden Farms, based out of Northfield, Minnesota, where he leads a team of veterinarians for one of the largest family-owned production systems in the country. He has presented many scientific abstracts at AASV Annual Meetings and other swine health meetings. Not only is Dr Allerson known nationally and internationally for his work in disease control, health, and production, he also stands out for his outstanding teaching, mentorship, natural team leadership, and approachability. “His ability to navigate and lead through challenging situations with a calm and positive outlook reflects his resilience and unwavering commitment to the well-being of the swine industry,” said one of his nominators.

Asked to share his thoughts about receiving this award, Dr Allerson replied, “I am honored to receive this award from the AASV. I am very grateful for the team at Holden Farms that I have had the pleasure to work with over the past 13 years. Additionally, I appreciate all the mentorship I have received from members of the AASV and the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. I am also thankful for my wonderful wife and family and all the support they have provided for me during my career.”

As noted by colleagues and clients, Dr Allerson’s passion for swine is second only to that of his family. He is very proud of his wife Jenna and three children, Owen, August, and Adeline. He considers it a joy to watch his family grow and spend time with them.

Howard Dunne Memorial Award

Dr Paul Yeske, recipient of the Howard Dunne Memorial Award.

Dr Paul Yeske received the 2024 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 Yeske is a 1985 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He went on to earn an MS at the University of Minnesota (1998) and completed the Executive Veterinary Program in Swine Health Management at the University of Illinois (2009). He is a senior member of the veterinary team at the Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, Minnesota.

With more than 30 years of swine veterinary experience, Dr Yeske has been recognized by his peers for his important contributions to swine medicine in disease management and elimination as the AASV Swine Practitioner of the Year (1998), the recipient of the Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award (2010), and the Iowa State University Swine Disease Conference Science in Practice Award (2013).

He has contributed to the greater knowledge of swine medicine for veterinarians as a speaker at multiple AASV Annual Meetings. In 1996, he delivered the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture. He has served on the AASV Swine Health Committee, the PCV2 Task Force, and the Annual Meeting Program Planning Committee. He continues to serve the association as a member of the PRRS Committee and PED Elimination Task Force.

Upon acceptance of the award, Dr Yeske said, “I am humbled to be considered with the previous recipients.” He offers his gratitude to his wife, Lori, and son, Adam, for their support.

Meritorious Service Award

Dr Nathan Winkelman, recipient of the AASV Meritorious Service Award.

Dr Nathan Winkelman was named the 2024 recipient of the Meritorious Service Award. The award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service to the AASV.

Dr Winkelman earned his BS and DVM from the University of Minnesota. He is the co-owner of Swine Services Unlimited Inc, a swine research and consulting practice he started in 1998.

As expected of a Meritorious Service Award recipient, Dr Winkelman has worked tirelessly for the AASV. He led the association as president in 2019 and chaired the AASV’s 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting. He has served on the AASV Executive Committee, the AASV Board of Directors, and many other AASV committees, including Annual Meeting Program Planning Committees. He has moderated many seminars at AASV Annual Meetings. Dr Winkelman was an active participant in the National Pork Board Operation Mainstreet program giving presentations to raise awareness about modern pork production.

Dr Winkelman has also been a member of the AASV Foundation Board and chaired the AASV Foundation research grant committee. In 2016, he created the first AASV Foundation Legacy fund. The Legacy Fund represents the highest level of the foundation’s endowed giving programs, with a minimum $50,000 contribution required to establish a named endowment.

Dr Winkelman strongly believes the AASV has been integral in a long and successful career as a swine veterinarian and researcher. “My dedication to the AASV is exemplified in not missing an Annual Meeting since I was a vet student in 1982.”

He is the lead author of more than 40 scientific articles and has been invited to speak at many local, national, and international meetings. He was the 2019 recipient of the Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award.

Thankful for the association, Dr Winkelman stated, “I am grateful and humbled to receive the Meritorious Service Award. It’s easy to give back time and effort to an organization I love. The AASV has given me 100 times what I try to give in return.”

Outstanding Swine Academic of the Year Award

Dr Rodger Main, recipient of the Outstanding Swine Academic of the Year Award.

Dr Rodger Main was named the 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Swine Academic of the Year Award. The award is 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.

Dr Main received his BS and DVM from Iowa State University and PhD from Kansas State University. He is a professor and director of the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU VDL). The ISU VDL’s team of 180 faculty and staff play an active role on the frontlines of US animal agriculture processing approximately 120,000 diagnostic case submissions and conducting more than 1.5 million diagnostic assays each year. Peers credit Dr Main’s commitment and innovation as key to transforming the ISU VDL into a global leader in food-animal diagnostic medicine.

More recently, Dr Main has also been serving as the principal investigator of the US Swine Health Improvement Plan endeavor that centers on bringing industry, state, and federal partners together to establish an officially recognized platform for safeguarding, certifying, and bettering the health of US swine and the longer-term competitiveness of the US pork industry.

Dr Main is a member of the AASV Committee on Transboundary and Emerging Diseases and has served on many others. He delivered the Alex Hogg Memorial Lecture at the 2019 AASV Annual Meeting. He has been recognized for his outstanding service to the swine industry with the Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award (2008), the AASV Howard Dunne Memorial Award (2017), the Iowa State University Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice (2020), and the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians Distinguished Service Award (2022).

Appreciative of his career and colleagues, Dr Main stated, “I am most certainly humbled and honored to be recognized by my peers in this way. I feel extremely fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work with and for so many great people over the course of my career. I fully realize that any such recognition that comes my way is simply an acknowledgment and appreciation for the contributions being made by those I have the good fortune to work with and be supported in both the workplace and at home. For that, I am indeed most certainly grateful.”

Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year

Dr Melissa Billing, recipient of the AASV Technical Services / Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year Award.

Dr Melissa Farber Billing received the Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year Award. This 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 Billing graduated from Wilmington College of Ohio and received her DVM from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed the Executive Veterinary Program in Swine Health Management and received a Master of Veterinary Science degree from the University of Illinois.

As a senior key account veterinarian in the swine division at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health (BIAH) USA Inc, Dr Billing assists veterinarians and swine producers throughout the eastern United States on topics including BIAH swine vaccines, custom made vaccines, disease challenges, disease prevention, biosecurity, food safety, and swine production.

Dr Billing has been an AASV member since joining as a student in 2002. She has served on the AASV Board of Directors as the District 1 Director for the past 6 years. She has also assisted the organization as the chair of the Operation Main Street Committee and as a member of the Annual Meeting Program Planning Committee.

Upon acceptance of the award, Dr Billing commented, “I am extremely honored to have been selected as the recipient of the 2024 AASV Technical Service Veterinarian Award. I am grateful to my peers and mentors within the AASV for recognizing me. I really appreciate that my company has given me the opportunity to work in such a great industry. Last but not the least, I am thankful to have such a loving family that has always supported me as I strive to reach my goals.”

Outside of work, Dr Billing enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve, and their two daughters, Rose and Teagen.

Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year

Dr Dylan Lape, recipient of the AASV Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award.

The Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award was presented to Dr Dylan Lape. The award is given annually to an AASV member five or less years post veterinary graduation who has demonstrated the ideals of exemplary service and proficiency early in their career.

Dr Lape, son of Dana Lape and Rose Young, grew up in the small town of Lebanon, Pennsylvania raising exhibition poultry along with his brother and father. He received a BS from Pennsylvania State University in 2014. He received a DVM in 2018 from Purdue University.

After developing an interest in swine at the Penn State swine farm and pursuing those interests through veterinary school, Dr Lape joined Pork Veterinary Solutions in July of 2018. He works with independent swine producers, contract growers, and large integrators and oversees the production of approximately 1 million pigs a year.

Dr Lape has participated in multiple foreign animal disease planning and preparedness exercises and has completed the Swine Veterinarians Public Policy Advocacy Program through the National Pork Producers Council and AASV.

All of Dr Lape’s many nominations for this award describe his infectiously positive personality as an ideal of exemplary service. Even in challenging, difficult, or stressful situations, Dr Lape continuously chooses to be happy, making him a valuable team member and a joy for colleagues and clients.

Upon acceptance of the award, Dr Lape commented, “I am shocked and honored to be selected for this award! I 100% would not be the veterinarian I am today without the mentorship I have received from many members of AASV, but especially my boss Dr Matt Ackerman!”

Dr Lape still raises exhibition poultry locally and enjoys showing across the Midwest in his spare time.

AASV annual business meeting

AASV officer installation during the 2024 annual business meeting.

During the annual business meeting on Tuesday, February 27, AASV President Dr Bill Hollis reported on the association’s membership and activities. As of that date, total membership was 1536, including 210 students from 36 universities, 976 members residing in the United States, 39 members residing in Mexico, 125 members residing in Canada, and 186 international members residing in 35 additional countries.

The 2024 AASV officers, Drs Angela Baysinger, president; Locke Karriker, president-elect; Rebecca Robbins, vice president; and Bill Hollis, past president, were installed. The board congratulated re-elected district directors Drs Chris Rademacher (District 6) and Christine Mainquist-Whigham (District 8) and welcomed newly elected district directors Dr Andrew Bowman (District 1), Dennis Villani (District 4), and Joaquin Becerril (District 10). The board thanked outgoing district directors Drs Melissa Billing (District 1), Megan Inskeep (District 4), and Enrique Corona (District 10).

Dr Hollis also welcomed Mallory Wilhelm (Iowa State University, 2026) as incoming alternate student delegate to the AASV Board of Directors and thanked outgoing Student Delegate Hunter Everett (North Carolina State University, 2024). Alexis Berte (Iowa State University, 2025) assumes the role of student delegate.  

Honored guests at the business breakfast included Drs Sandra Faeh-Butler (American Veterinary Medical Association president-elect), Sam Miller (AVMA executive board representative), Germán Gómez Tenorio (La Asociación Mexicana de Veterinarios Especialistas en Cerdos president), Bill Even (National Pork Board CEO), and Megan Niederwerder (Swine Health Information Center executive director).

Megan NiederwerderDr. Sandra Faeh-ButlerBill Even
Megan Niederwerder, Swine Health Information Center executive director; Dr Sandra Faeh-Butler, AVMA president-elect; and Bill Even, National Pork Board CEO addressed attendees during the 2024 AASV annual business meeting.

Encouraging students to pursue life-long careers as swine veterinarians at the Annual Meeting

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians encourages veterinary students to attend the AASV Annual Meeting and offers a variety of activities for student participation during the conference to help fulfill part of AASV’s mission: “mentor students, encouraging life-long careers as swine veterinarians.”

Once again, the AASV Annual Meeting offered excellent opportunities for students to learn about swine medicine, network with each other, connect with swine faculty, and meet veterinarians and mentors.

Registration to the Annual Meeting is free for student members and includes access to all educational sessions and activities, including the preconference seminars on Saturday and Sunday. As usual, AASV’s Student Engagement committee offered several conference activities designed specifically for veterinary students, including the Swine Medicine for Students preconference seminar, a vet hunt, speed networking, and the Swine Student Trivia event.

Swine Medicine for Students preconference seminar

An always popular preconference seminar was designed especially for new and soon-to-be veterinarians. Veterinary students and 2022 and 2023 veterinarian graduates received free seminar registration. Attendees learned about diagnostics, including sample selection, sample collection, test selection, cost, and result interpretation.

Vet Hunt

The Vet Hunt encouraged veterinary students to network with veterinarians. Students introduced themselves to and visited with at least ten veterinarians who voluntarily participated in the Vet Hunt for a chance to win swine swag or other prizes, sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Thank you to the 65 veterinarians that participated in the Vet Hunt and welcomed students to the Annual Meeting.

Speed Networking

People facing each other across a narrow table
Students practiced their interview and networking skills at the Student Speed Networking event.

Speed networking during the Annual Meeting provided a fun way to meet swine-savvy students and mentors, future interns, or even potential new employees or employers. Seventeen veterinary students met with twenty veterinarians, spending three minutes to visit with each other in speed-dating style.

Students made meaningful connections and appreciated the opportunity to practice their interviewing and networking skills even if participating veterinarians were not hiring. In addition to helping students become more proficient at discussions with potential employers, veterinarians also used the opportunity to screen potential candidates for jobs or preceptorships.

Student Trivia

Merck Animal Health hosted and sponsored prizes for a pub-style trivia event. Fifty-five students from nine veterinary schools participated in the friendly competition. The AASV student delegates Alexis Berte and Mallory Wilhelm coordinated the sign-ups, Dr Megan Inskeep welcomed the students, reviewed the benefits of AASV student membership, and emceed the event. While only student teams were eligible to participate, anyone attending the Annual Meeting was welcome to observe and cheer on the teams. Prizes were awarded for the top three teams. The first-place team included Erin Larsen, Sarah Albers, Mallory Wilhelm, Elizabeth Oney, Madelyn Harrison, and Zachary Meyer. The second-place team included Chelsea Harris, Erin Russell, Elizabeth Porteus, Carly Bates, and Megan Thomas. The third-place team included Bailey Ward, Austin Janssen, Coral Njus, Emma Mannery, and Alek Goll.

Podcasts

AASV provided an opportunity for students to earn a $200 stipend by conducting a recorded interview of an AASV speaker for podcasting. Twenty-seven students from ten universities participated. Students selected a speaker, prepared questions in advance, and interviewed speakers during the Annual Meeting. The end products are 5 to 15-minute MP3 audio recordings available to members in the AASV Podcast Library at aasv.org/podcast.

Student Reception

Always a favorite, the Student Reception, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, drew a large crowd on Sunday evening. Students, veterinarians, researchers, faculty members, and industry representatives spent the evening interacting with each other in an informal setting.

'Students preparing for tomorrow' photo collage

AASV Foundation announces Student Seminar awards and scholarships

$5000 student seminar winner

Megan Neveau and Dr Rick Swalla

Dr Rick Swalla (right) presented the $5000 scholarship for Top Student Presenter Award to Megan Neveau Thomas, Iowa State Universtiy. The award is funded by the Zoetis Foundation.

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation awarded scholarships totaling $25,000 to 15 veterinary students who participated in the AASV Student Seminar at the Annual Meeting.

Megan Neveau Thomas, Iowa State University, received the $5000 scholarship for top student presentation. Her presentation was titled “Interstate swine transportation network as a predictor of pathogen spread across the US.” The Zoetis Foundation provided the funding for the Top Student Presenter Award.

Elanco Animal Health provided $20,000 in additional funding, enabling the AASV Foundation to award scholarships for second through 15th place.

Four veterinary student presenters received $2500 scholarships: Hope Dohlman, Iowa State University; Jenny (Yuan Rong) Lin, University of Guelph; Matilyn Wheeler, Iowa State University; and Mallory Wilhelm, Iowa State University.

Five veterinary student presenters received $1500 scholarships: Julia Baker, University of Minnesota; Alexis Berte, Iowa State University; Francisco Gomez Cruz, University of Saskatchewan; Erin Larsen, Lincoln Memorial University; and Brianna McAleese, North Carolina State University.

The student presenters receiving $500 scholarships were Morgan Almeida, Iowa State University; Cassidy Cordon, University of Minnesota; Sarah Lutz, Auburn University; Amber Vegter, Iowa State University; and Claire Vincent, Mississippi State University.

$2500 student seminar winners

Four people standing side-by-side, facing the camera, outdoors

Dr Jessica Risser (right) presented scholarships sponsored by Elanco Animal Health. Recipients of the $2500 AASV Foundation scholarships were (from left) Matilyn Wheeler, Mallory Wilhelm, and Hope Dohlman. Not pictured: Jenny (Yuan Rong) Lin.

$1500 student seminar winners

Six people standing side-by-side, facing the camera, outdoors

Dr Jessica Risser (right) presented scholarships sponsored by Elanco Animal Health. Recipients of the $1500 AASV Foundation scholarships were (from left) Francisco Gomez Cruz, Bri McAleese, Julia Baker, Alexis Berte, and Erin Larsen.

$500 student seminar winners

Three people standing side-by-side, facing the camera, outdoors

Dr Jessica Risser (right) presented scholarships sponsored by Elanco Animal Health. Recipients of the $500 AASV Foundation scholarships were (from left) Claire Vincent and Amber Vegter. Not pictured: Morgan Almeida, Cassidy Cordon, and Sara Lutz.

Additionally, a grant from the Zoetis Foundation supported $750 awards for each student selected to participate in the oral session. Thirty-two veterinary students from 16 universities submitted abstracts for consideration by student abstract volunteer judges Drs Ben Blair, Doug King, Darin Madson, Brent Pepin, Marisa Rotolo, and Joel Sparks. From those submissions, 15 students were selected to present during the annual meeting. Drs Andrew Bowman and Justin Brown chaired the student seminar which was judged by those individuals who judged the abstracts.

AASV announces Student Poster Competition awardees

$500 poster winner

Dr Joel Spencer (left) presented scholarships sponsored by United Animal Health. Recipient of the $500 scholarship for Top Student Poster was Yi-Fan Shen, The Ohio State University.

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians provided an opportunity for 15 veterinary students to compete for awards in the Veterinary Student Poster Competition. United Animal Health sponsored the competition, offering awards totaling $4000. Additionally, a grant from the Zoetis Foundation supports $500 awards for each student selected to participate in the poster session.

Dr Joel Spencer, United Animal Health, announced the following awards during the AASV Luncheon on February 26:

$500 scholarship: Yi-Fan Shen, The Ohio State University – Top student poster titled “Assessing the impact of a negative air ionization system on particulate matter and gaseous pollutants in swine farm environment.”

$400 scholarships: Carly Bates, Iowa State University, and Taylor Clark, Iowa State University.

$300 scholarships: David Buckwalter, University of Pennsylvania; Ellen Gibbs, University of Missouri; and Madeline Hall, Kansas State University.

$200 scholarships: Kristen Cleaver, Iowa State University; Victoria Diaz, University of Tennessee; Callie Ezell, Louisiana State University; Lauren Harper, Cornell University; Molly Jones, North Carolina State University; Samantha Nixon, University of Saskatchewan; Sarah Roach, North Carolina State University; Erin Russell, Lincoln Memorial University; and Casondra Snow, University of Minnesota.

Thirty-two veterinary students from 16 universities submitted abstracts for consideration by student abstract volunteer judges Drs Ben Blair, Doug King, Darin Madson, Brent Pepin, Marisa Rotolo, and Joel Sparks. Based on 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. A panel of three AASV veterinarian volunteers, Drs Mike Eisenmenger, Brooke Kitting, and Whitney Lincoln, interviewed the competing students and scored their posters to determine the scholarship awards. Drs Andrew Bowman and Justin Brown chaired the competition.

$400 poster winners

Three people standing side-by-side, facing the camera, outdoors

Dr Joel Spencer (right) presented scholarships sponsored by United Animal Health. Recipients of the $400 AASV Foundation scholarships were (from left) Taylor Clark and Carly Bates.

$300 poster winners

Four people standing side-by-side, facing the camera, outdoors

Dr Joel Spencer (second from left) presented scholarships sponsored by United Animal Health. Recipients of the $300 AASV Foundation scholarships were (from left) Madeline Hall, Ellen Gibbs, and David Buckwalter.

$200 poster winners

Six people standing side-by-side, facing the camera, outdoors

Dr Joel Spencer (second from left) presented scholarships sponsored by United Animal Health. Recipients of the $200 AASV Foundation scholarships were (from left) Kristen Cleaver, Lauren Harper, Sara Roach, Molly Jones, and Erin Russell. Not pictured: Victoria Diaz, Callie Ezell, Samantha Nixon, and Casondra Snow.

Student Podcast Award recipient announced

Recipient of the Student Podcast Award: Kaci Way, The Ohio State University.

Kaci Way, a fourth-year student at The Ohio State University, was awarded the Student Podcast Award for the most accessed podcast from the 2023 AASV Annual Meeting. Kaci interviewed Dr Corrine Fruge about her presentation, “Stranger than fiction: PRRS in a remote farm.” Kaci was announced as the winner of the $500 award, sponsored by Huvepharma, during the 2024 AASV Annual Meeting.

Each year, up to 30 AASV student members select a speaker to interview during the AASV Annual Meeting for a podcast. The podcasts are then posted to the AASV website and promoted by the students in a friendly competition to gain the most traffic leading up to the following year’s Annual Meeting. This is a great networking opportunity for students that also helps develop a wonderful AASV member resource. We would like to thank AASV student members for their continued involvement and Huvepharma for their continued support of the Student Podcast Award.

These and other podcasts can be found in the AASV Podcast Library at aasv.org/podcast.

Thank You, Sponsors and Exhibitors!

Praise BreakfastYogaRefreshment break

There’s no doubt about it - it can be expensive to attend the AASV Annual Meeting! But attendee registration fees cover only a portion of the cost of conducting the
meeting. The cost to attendees would be even higher if it were not for the financial support provided by sponsors and exhibitors.

Please join AASV staff in expressing your personal appreciation to representatives of the following companies for their generous support of the AASV Annual Meeting:

Scholarship and Event Sponsors

  • AASV Foundation: Monday Luncheon, Praise Breakfast, Debt-Relief Scholarships, and Research Grants
  • dsm-firmenich: Yoga Class
  • Elanco Animal Health: AASV Foundation Veterinary Student Scholarships
  • Huvepharma: Student Podcaster Award
  • Merck Animal Health: AASV Awards Reception, Student Reception, Veterinary Student Trivia Event, and AASVF-Merck Veterinary Student Scholarships
  • Stuart Products: Praise Breakfast
  • SwineTech: Downtown Nashville Shuttle
  • United Animal Health: Veterinary Student Poster Awards
  • Vaxxinova: Veterinary Student Travel Stipends, Refreshment Break Cosponsor
  • Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions: Refreshment Break Cosponsor
  • Zoetis: Refreshment Break Cosponsor
  • Zoetis Foundation: AASV Student Seminar and Poster Session, AASV Foundation Top Student Presenter Scholarship, and Debt-Relief Grants

Technical table exhibitors

View of exhibits facing left View of exhibits facing right

ABVP

AcuFast

Addison Biological Laboratory

Adisseo

AgriSafe

Alltech

Animal Health International

Animal Science Products

Anitox

Anpario

Aptimmune Biologics

ARKO Laboratories

Arm & Hammer

Atmosphere Global

Aurora Pharmaceutical

Automated Production

Bimeda

Bock Industries

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

Cambridge Technologies

Cargill Animal Nutrition

Central Life Sciences

Ceva Animal Health

Chr Hansen

CID Lines, an Ecolab Company

Clipper Distributing

Crystal Spring Hog Equipment

DNA Genetics

DPI Global

dsm-firmenich

Eastman

Elanco

Endovac Animal Health

Farm Health Guardian

Feedstuffs/National Hog Farmer

Feedworks USA

Genesis Instruments

GlobalVetLink

Henke-Sass, Wolf

HIPRA

Huvepharma

Hypor

IDEXX

IHT Group

IMV Technologies

Insight Wealth Group

Iowa State University Office of Innovation Commercialization

IPVS & ESPHM 2024, Germany

Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health

LANXESS Corporation

LifeStock International

Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics

Magapor USA

MatMaCorp

Mazen Animal Health

Medgene

Merck Animal Health

Merck Animal Health Allflex/LeeO

Metafarms

Minitube USA

MSP[RS] Resistant Starch

MWI Animal Health

National Pork Board

National Pork Producers Council

Neogen

Norbrook

Pharmacosmos

Pharmgate Animal Health

Phibro Animal Health Corporation

PIC

PigCHAMP

PigKnows

PigTek, Chore-Time

PMI Additives

PrairiE Systems

Precision Health Technologies

PrideVMC

ProtonDx

Ralco

Reproduction Provisions

RO-MAIN

SEPPIC

Stuart Products

Swine Health Information Center

SwineTech

TechMix

Tetracore

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Topigs Norsvin USA

United Animal Health

US Customs and Border Protection

USDA APHIS VS

US Soy

Vaxxinova

Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions

Wilson’s Prairie View Farm

Zinpro

Zoetis