The AASV executive officer team is sharing the responsibility to pen the President’s messages in Dr Angela Baysinger’s absence. I hope to honor her legacy by writing about topics she might have believed to be pertinent to the organization, inspirational, or thought provoking. In the previous President’s message (JSHAP July/August issue), Dr Hollis called upon us to be advocates. I would like to continue that theme and take us outside the barn to discuss advocacy to our peers.
I believe the advocacy we do as practicing veterinarians is different from paid lobbyists or those individuals in technical staff positions in organizations like the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, or American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) that do advocacy in fulfillment of their job description. The swine veterinarian is donating their professional time to serve as a subject matter expert, giving their voice to an issue or topic that impacts practitioners. I make a distinction here not to say one is better than the other or deserves more accolades, rather to emphasize that we earnestly need all swine veterinarians seeing themselves as a worthy advocate for swine veterinary issues.
Hopefully you are now interested enough that your wheels are turning and you are thinking of subjects and issues you would like to advocate on and where you can start to represent us in your advocacy.
To get off the starting line, if you have not been an AASV committee member, become one today. It is the best way to get connected with member issues. Be active on that committee by attending the meetings, sharing resources and experiences, and making sure the group is doing all it can to address the issue(s) it specializes in.
Next, being one of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) allied associations, the AASV has a primary seat and alternate on 7 committee rosters: Animal Agriculture Liaison, Animal Welfare, Clinical Practitioner Advisory, Committee on Antimicrobials, Environmental Issues, Food Safety, and Legislative Advisory. In addition, we have a representative and alternate seat in the House of Delegates and a district representative to the Executive Board. This is only possible because at least 350 US voting members of AASV are also members of AVMA. The AVMA is our profession’s strongest voice. From my own experience on the AVMA Committee on Antimicrobials, I know how vital the AASV representatives have been in educating peers, commenting on legislation, and co- authoring documents to inform the entire profession. I would ask you to just trust me that advocacy is rewarding and representing AASV by serving on AVMA committees is something everyone should try, but I will share testimonials from others who also serve in this capacity.
I sent a 3-question survey to AASV members currently serving on AVMA committees about their experience and here is what they had to say…
Question 1: Why did you agree to serve on behalf of AASV in an advocacy role to the AVMA?
- “My respect for the AASV veterinarians that had held the role prior.”
- “Our peers and our clients expect us to advocate for the profession.”
- “To network with people who also have an interest or passion in the subject matter area.”
- “Be part of an important conversation about that subject matter area.”
- “Gain a better understanding of broader issues in the veterinary world beyond pigs.”
Question 2: What have you valued about representing AASV to the AVMA?
- “Mutual respect and support other professional groups have for each other.”
- “Other species/allied groups truly value and appreciate our perspective on swine health and swine veterinary medicine. Just as it is difficult for AASV membership to understand the challenges in other facets of veterinary medicine, our peers intently listen to the barnyard group for insight and input.”
- “Even though AASV membership in AVMA is small, the other organizations and representatives are intent to hear the perspectives of the AASV.”
- “Networking with other veterinarians and subject matter experts and through them, found other organizations which a swine veterinarian can represent the pig, the producer, and the profession.”
- “Having the opportunity to influence discussions and helping shape regulations that our profession will uphold.”
- “I’ve grown to appreciate the efforts of AVMA.”
Question 3: What advice would you give others about serving in an advocacy role to the AVMA?
- “Reminds you of the diversity of roles veterinarians need to fill.”
- “You never regret getting involved, so just do it!”
- “The AASV leadership team is extremely supportive and willing to help as questions and needs arise, so recognize it’s a team effort and that you will not be all on your own.”
- “Even when life is crazy, there is usually a phase where you could carve out some time to help AASV and our profession.”
- “Recognize the value you bring as a swine veterinarian with population medicine experience.”
As you can see, we have all had a rewarding experience! Our veterinary professional colleagues outside of swine medicine are always interested in getting our perspective on issues, hear our unique client and practice concerns, and support us in the advancement of veterinary health issues. In my AASV vice-president candidacy statement, the first bullet I promised to ask members to focus on was advocacy by “[p]romoting committee membership, encouraging members to actively participate, and ensuring that our staff have the necessary resources, both financial and technical, to effectively represent the interests of practitioners.”
I see the influence each of us as swine veterinarians can have when we are willing to bring our voice, our practical experience, and our passion to issues (and you do not need a bunch of extra letters aside from VDM/DVM to have that influence). Thank you to all our past and present representatives to AVMA and especially those who shared their thoughts on their advocacy experience (Drs Aaron Lower, Carissa Odland, Jason Kelly, Jessica Seate, and Kimberly Crawford). I saw Dr Baysinger as a tireless advocate for the pig; she served as AASV’s representative to the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee until her passing. I respected her immensely and I hope you will consider honoring her by advocating on behalf of AASV.
If you are interested in serving on an AASV committee or representing AASV in other leadership opportunities, please contact me, a member currently serving on a committee or in a representative role, or the AASV office.
Rebecca Robbins, DVM, PhD
AASV Vice President