News from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges

October 2017

VMCAS Applicant Numbers Rise Six Percent for Fall 2018 Class


	Click image to enlarge.

The number of applicants applying to member institutions through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) has risen six percent over last year, according to preliminary data. So far, 7,498 individuals have applied to attend veterinary medical college through VMCAS. The total number of applications submitted was 36,554, which rose seven percent over last year. Each applicant applied to an average of 4.88 institutions, which also increased. Overall, the VMCAS system ran very efficiently, with no significant problems or concerns reported to the AAVMC or vendor Liaison International by applicants or admissions departments. However, Mother Nature caused some serious problems. Learn more.

Schools and Colleges of Veterinary Medicine Mobilize in Response to Recent Hurricanes

The unusually active and extremely destructive 2017 hurricane season has wreaked havoc upon Texas, Louisiana, Florida and the Caribbean Basin. The devastating natural disasters destroyed billions of dollars of infrastructure, killed and injured many, and disrupted the lives of millions of people and animals. Throughout the weeks of mayhem, schools and colleges of veterinary medicine were on the ground, providing leadership, management, logistical support and direct animal care. Efforts rising above and beyond usual duties included search and rescue and providing shelter and veterinary medical support for companion, agricultural and aquatic animals affected by the hurricanes. Learn more.

APLU | AAVMC Antimicrobial Resistance Summit Held


	AAVMC CEO Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe addressing the antimicrobial resistance summit.

Almost 50 scientists and administrators representing higher education, government, professional societies and the private sector recently convened for a two-day summit at 655 K Street on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Organized as part of the APLU | AAVMC AMR partnership, the meeting sought to advance the planning for a national university-based center focused on addressing the AMR problem. The task at hand is to further develop a draft RFP leading to the establishment of a national center to coordinate research and educational programs aimed at addressing this major public health threat. As presently envisioned, the center would be comprised of a consortium of major universities with their cumulative program strength leveraged by a host institution. Learn more.

Pakistani Delegation Visits Washington Following Recent AAVMC Affiliation

A high-ranking delegation of Pakistani veterinary officials spent two days in Washington meeting with AAVMC and AVMA leaders from September 21-22, as well as senior administrators with the United States Department of Agriculture. Following meetings with several AAVMC officials, the group met with government leaders at the USDA's Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS), the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The delegation also met with officials at the AVMA's Governmental Relations Division and spent two days visiting the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine as guests of Dean Paul Lunn. The AAVMC coordinated the visit and created the itinerary. Learn more.

Leadership Academy Cohort Completes First Session

The AAVMC's 2017-2018 Leadership Academy is underway. Now in its sixth year, the academy recently wrapped up the first of three component workshops that are part of the year-long development program. The program is sponsored by Elanco. The 34-member cohort of "rising stars" from AAVMC member institutions gathered at the Omni Severin in Indianapolis for three days of highly interactive sessions designed to help them develop their leadership skills. The Leadership Academy is led by Dr. Karen Cornel of the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Dr. Darcy Shaw of the University of Prince Edward Island College of Veterinary Medicine. Learn more.

Lawmakers Briefed on Pollinators and Veterinary Medicine in Post Veterinary Feed Directive World

Most people don't think of veterinarians when they think of sick honeybees. But the federal government classifies honey bees as livestock/food producing animals, and the Food & Drug Administration's recent Veterinary Feed Directive has elevated the role veterinary medicine is playing in bee health and apiculture. To bring lawmakers up to speed, the AAVMC, the AVMA, and several apicultural groups recently co-sponsored a legislative briefing on Capitol Hill entitled "Honeybees, Pollinators, and the Veterinary Feed Directive: What's the Buzz?" Honeybees are the nation's primary pollinators, adding at least $15 billion a year in value to about 90 different crops of nuts, fruits and vegetables. But the number of honeybee hives in the U.S., has declined from about 6 million during the 1940's to only about 2.5 million today. Learn more.

AAVMC Supporting DACA Legislation

The AAVMC has signed on to a letter sent to Congressional leaders urging passage of the bipartisan, bicameral Dream Act of 2017 (S.1615, H.R. 3440). The bill provides a legislative remedy to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was formerly structured upon an executive order. The AAVMC joins 70 other major associations and societies in voicing support for the legislation, including its 655 K Street neighbors the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), American Dental Education Association (ADEA), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the American Physician Education Association (APEA), and many other organizations in the Federation of Associations of Schools in the Health Professions (FASHP). Repeal of the executive order supporting the DACA program will affect some students currently studying at AAVMC member institutions, according to Dr. Lisa Greenhill, senior director for institutional research and diversity. Learn more.

AAVMC and Pet Night on Capitol Hill


	Veterinary Caucus Co-Chairs Ted Yoho (R-Florida) and Kurt Schrader (D-Oregon) were on hand for "Pet Night."

Thanks to years of advocacy work, more and more members of Congress have come to understand the vital role veterinary medicine plays in food security and public health and wellbeing. But that doesn't belie the respect they have for the profession because of their beloved family pets. That connection is celebrated annually during "Pet Night on Capitol Hill," when veterinary medical and animal health officials gather for an annual tribute to pets and the human-animal bond. Hosted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and the Pet Leadership Council (PLC), the event is sponsored by more than a dozen other organizations, including the AAVMC. Wednesday, October 4th, was no different, as members of Congress, staffers, and executives from throughout the private sector and organized veterinary medical community converged in the Rayburn House Office Building for the 2017 event. Learn more.