Political analyst and conference speaker Charlie Cook

Are you finding the new political landscape in Washington a little bewildering? What does the future hold for healthcare during the Trump Administration? How will academic veterinary medicine be affected? One of the reigning "deans" of political commentary will share his perspective and insights on the current national political scene during a plenary session at the upcoming AAVMC annual conference. Charlie Cook is considered one of the nation's leading authorities on U.S. elections and American political trends. He founded the independent, non-partisan Cook Political Report in 1984 and has been termed "the Picasso of election analysts" by the Wall Street Journal. Learn more.

An article published in the January 19 edition of Newsweek Magazine on post-DVM internships has generated discussion and prompted some reflection in the profession. The article diminishes the educational value of internships and portrays them as a means of providing cheap labor for the organizations that operate them. Unfortunately, the story focuses on extreme examples and pays little attention to the positive role internships play in improving the quality of veterinary medical healthcare. "We can't just dismiss an article like this because it seems unbalanced," said AAVMC CEO Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe. "I think we're challenged to take a closer look at how well internships are functioning in the world of veterinary medical education and make sure the experience is as optimal as it can be." Learn more.

The unexpected United Kingdom (U.K.) vote to exit the European Union (EU), known as Brexit, shook up Europe and left many wondering about the long-term repercussions of resurgent nationalism. The AAVMC's Diversity and Inclusion on Air program explored the issue Feb. 2 with a focus on the Brexit's possible effect on diversity and veterinary medical education in Europe. Three deans from veterinary schools in Ireland, England and Scotland shared their thoughts with podcast host Dr. Lisa Greenhill, the AAVMC's senior director for institutional research and diversity. All agreed that the vote creates a great deal of uncertainty, particularly regarding movement across borders, with both positive and negative potential implications. Learn more.

	Dr. Sonny Perdue

Former Georgia Governor Dr. Sonny Perdue has been nominated by President Trump to serve as Secretary of Agriculture. The appointment is subject to confirmation hearings that will likely not be held until mid-February. If confirmed, Perdue will be the first veterinarian to ever serve as U. S. Secretary of Agriculture. Perdue earned a DVM degree from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1971 prior to serving as a captain in the U.S. Air Force. Following that service, he operated several small agribusiness and transportation companies before being elected Governor of Georgia, where he served two terms, from 2003 to 2011. Learn more.

	Rep. Schrader (left) and Rep. Yoho

Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-5) and Congressman Ted Yoho (FL-3), two of only three licensed veterinarians in Congress, have re-established the bipartisan Veterinary Medicine Caucus in the 115th Congress. The caucus seeks to raise awareness of the importance of veterinary medicine, as well as to advance research, public health, animal health and welfare, and food safety. The Veterinary Medicine was first established in 2012 in the 113th Congress. Since then, the Caucus has played a lead role in advancing a number of bills and issues that advance the interests of veterinary medicine, including the introduction of the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act, which was enacted into law in 2014. Learn more.

	Dr. Susan Rhind

A veterinary educator who has helped the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) monitor the quality of veterinary degrees has been awarded an Order of the British Empire in the 2017 New Year Honours. Professor Susan Rhind, Chair of Veterinary Education at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh, is a member of the Primary Qualifications Subcommittee, which plays a key role in accrediting UK and international veterinary degrees and monitoring their quality on an ongoing basis. The Order of the British Empire honors were instituted by King George V a century ago as a way of marking civilian achievement. Learn more.

Several hundred veterinary medical students and faculty members gathered at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta January 22-23 for Veterinary Student Day. Begun in 2006 and presented bi-annually, the event focuses on the critical role veterinary medicine plays in global public health and encourages student interest in pursuing careers in veterinary public practice. This year's event was themed " The Secret Life of Vets and Pets" and included introductory remarks from CDC Acting Director Dr. Anne Schuchat, AAVMC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe, and Dr. Anna Reddish from the American Veterinary Medical Association. Learn more.

For the past several years, VOICE chapters at many member institutions have been helping build unity and awareness on campus by focusing on multiculturalism and diversity and inclusion. AAVMC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe recently spoke with more than 50 people gathered for a VOICE meeting at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. During an interactive presentation, Maccabe challenged the audience to think about their personal definition of the concept and consider the nature of its importance, and what it means for the future of veterinary medicine. Learn more.

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is using its 40th anniversary as an opportunity for institutional advancement. Deciding to sharpen their identity and broaden their base of support, they engaged the services of a marketing agency and embarked upon a year-long planning and development process that solicited input from a series of internal and external stakeholders. That effort culminated in the creation of a new brand identity constructed around this concept: Challenge Accepted. The new brand was officially launched with the premiere of a new college video at a major anniversary special event presented in early December. Learn more.

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