August  2019
AAVMC Summer Meeting Features Briefings from Federal Officials, Others
AAVMC President Dr. Michael Lairmore addresses Summer Meeting.
Briefings from federal government officials and leaders from academic veterinary medicine and other associations highlighted the AAVMC's Summer Meeting in Washington, D.C. August 3. AAVMC President and UC Davis Dean Dr. Michael Lairmore outlined the progress of the AAVMC's current strategic planning process before a series of presentations were made on important issues in academic veterinary medicine. Among those presentations: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Director Dr. Scott Angle said that even though only about 25% of NIFA employees are expected to relocate to Kansas City by the September 30 deadline directed by the Administration, the agency is attempting to view it as an "opportunity for change." Learn more.

AAVMC's DiVersity Matters Program Receives a National Award of Excellence From 44,000 Member ASAE
The AAVMC recently received a national 2019 Power of A Silver Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its DiVersity Matters program. The ASAE includes 44,000 members and 7,400 member organizations. The AAVMC launched DiVersity Matters in 2005, partly in response to a widely acknowledged lack of diversity in veterinary medicine. Several years ago, a leading magazine characterized veterinary medicine as the "whitest" profession. "For 14 years now, our staff has diligently worked to advance diversity and inclusion, with an enterprise-wide emphasis on creative programing and leading initiatives," said AAVMC CEO Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe. "We are passionate about this work and it's gratifying to earn this recognition, which also honors the work being accomplished by countless volunteers at our member institutions." Learn more.

Veterinary Debt Initiative Introduces Tuition Infographic
The Veterinary Debt Initiative (VDI) introduced an infographic during the recent AVMA meeting in Washington, D.C. focused on tuition and the cost of education. The publication is designed to help students and other stakeholders understand some of the forces affecting the cost of veterinary college tuition, how those costs are formulated and share other fiscal and budgetary information. The VDI, which includes representatives from the AAVMC, the AVMA, and the Veterinary Medical Association Executives (VMAE) is working to help veterinarians thrive in rewarding and financially sustainable careers through education, advocacy, research and outreach. 
National Veterinary Scholars Symposium Highlights Student Research and Careers
Photo credit: Shawn Kelly
The National Veterinary Scholars Symposium (NVSS) was held July 24-27 and drew 673 attendees from throughout North America and Europe to focus on veterinary medical student research. The conference was organized and hosted by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and held at Worcester State University in Massachusetts. Attendees included 600 veterinary medical students from more than 40 schools who are involved in research, faculty members/mentors and distinguished researchers from academia, industry and government. The symposium is widely recognized as the premiere national meeting for veterinary student research. Learn more. 
Faculty Fellows Nomination Period Opens
Former Fellow Dr. Christine Johnson (right) with
Congressman Ralph Abraham (R-LA), a veterinarian and physician.
 
The nomination period for the AAVMC Public Policy Faculty Fellows Program runs from Friday, August 17, 2019, through Monday, September 30, 2019. The program offers faculty members at AAVMC member institutions an experiential opportunity to learn about how federal government policies affect academic veterinary medicine. Fellowships last a minimum of six weeks and a maximum of eight weeks. Fellows will receive a stipend of $10,000 from the AAVMC to cover expenses. The program is open to all AAVMC member institutions. Questions about the program can be directed to Kevin Cain, Director of Governmental Affairs at kcain@aavmc.org. Learn more.  
Why Drop the GRE? A Q&A with the AAVMC's Dr. Lisa Greenhill
A growing number of graduate and professional programs are moving away from requiring the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and veterinary medicine is no different. In recent years, several U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine discontinued requiring GRE score submission as a part of the application process. It is expected that more schools will follow this trend in the coming years. There are several reasons why there is such a shift away from using the test in veterinary admissions. To read a detailed Q&A with AAVMC Senior Director for Institutional Research and Diversity Dr. Lisa Greenhill click here
JVME Ramps Up to Publish Six Editions Per Year
The Journal of Veterinary Medical Education is moving from a quarterly publication schedule to a bi-monthly production schedule effective with Volume 47:1, which is scheduled for distribution in February 2020. Additional production resources are also being acquired through the University of Toronto Press to increase copy-editing capacity. Both measures are being undertaken to substantially decrease the time between manuscript acceptance and appearance in print, according to JVME Editor-in-Chief Dr. Daryl Buss. "I am delighted that the AAVMC Board of Directors has supported these measures that are critical to resolving this problem. I look forward to working with the Board of Directors as we develop and implement further strategies to keep the JVME at the forefront of veterinary medical education."  

Wisconsin Faculty Member Leading 130,000 Member FASEB
A faculty member at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine has become the first veterinary college faculty member to ever lead the Federation of Experimental Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). Dr. Hannah Carey, a professor of comparative biosciences, assumed the presidency of the massive 130,000-member scientific society that represents 30 scientific societies on July 12. "FASEB is an important force for the advancement of scientific research and discovery in society and we congratulate Dr. Carey for this achievement," said University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine Dean and AAVMC President-Elect Dr. Mark Markel. "Her election and service is a reflection of her extraordinary talent, dedication and capacity. And it's a significant honor and opportunity for the profession of veterinary medicine as well." Click here to read a detailed Q&A with Dr. Carey.  
 
Academic Veterinary Medicine in the News
Why Dogs Now Play a Big Role in Human Cancer Research
Wired Magazine
This Algorithm is Predicting Where a Deadly Pig Virus Will Pop Up Next
PBS
Scientists Develop 3D Printed Pill that Samples Bacteria Found in the Gut
Medical News
An Untapped Pipeline for Veterinary Schools
JAVMA News
Genetic Similarities of Osteosarcoma Between Dogs and Children
Medicine News Line
NIH Renews Veterinary Researchers' $2M Grant to Study Hepatitis E
HEP
After FDA Warning About Grain-free Pet Food, What's Safe to Feed Our Pets?
NBC News
Oregon Tackles the Veterinary Suicide Crisis, Starting With the Stigma
The Oregonian
Penn Vet to Run Cannabis Clinical Trial for Arthritic Dogs
dvm360
AU Vet School Develops Treatment for Neurological Disease
Times Free Press
U of M Provides Mental Health and Stress Support for Minnesota Farmers
Agweek
Systems Project Examines Sustainability of Iowa Cow/Calf Sector
Feedstuffs
ASCO Makes $5 Million Texas Tech Amarillo Vet School Contribution
Amarillo Globe News
$24M in Funding Announced for 3 U of Sask-led Agriculture Research Projects
Yahoo News Canada
Health Problems of Short-Muzzled Dogs Widely Unknown to Owners
Veterinary Practice News
New RCVS President Calls for Profession to Embrace Diversity
Vet Times
New Approach to Vaccine Development Could Successfully Eliminate Other Pathogens
The Pig Site
Leading Experts Call for Action to Address Chronic Wasting Disease
USAgnet
AAVMC Issues Call for Proposals
Veterinary Practice News
RUSVM Supports St. Kitts' First Animal Rescue Center
Veterinary Practice News
Listeria May be Serious Miscarriage Threat in Early Pregnancy
Food Poisoning Bulletin
BRSV Prevention Topic of Auburn Research
Feedstuffs
A Secret Sense 
Proto Magazine
Knockout Mice are Guide to New Genes for Eye and Skin Disorders
Science Magazine
Dr. John Howe Elected President Of AVMA
Paulick Report
Boehringer Ingelheim Awards Honor Emerging Veterinary Talent
Veterinary Practice News
From Our Members
CEPI Awards Funding Agreement Worth up to $9.5 Million to Colorado State University to Develop a Human Vaccine against Rift Valley Fever
Colorado State/UC Davis
Multi-disciplinary Team at Cornell Diagnoses and Treats Dog's Rare, Dangerous Pregnancy Complication
Cornell University
CVM Researcher Awarded Grant for Innovative Disease Work
NC State University
Giraffes Under Parasitic Attack? 
Tufts University
Milo Celebrates 6 Months Post-Surgery
Oklahoma State
Equine Encephalitis Detection Highlights Need to Protect Horses, People
University of Wisconsin
Regenerative Medicine Breakthroughs May Hold Key to Cures for a Host of Life-threatening Ailments
Virginia-Maryland

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