Laboratory Diagnosticians' News Matters

The work of the AAVLD foundation to foster long-term engagement in diagnostic medicine by the next generation of diagnosticians is critical in these times of acute workforce shortages in many diagnostic specialties.

This year the AAVLD Foundation provided approximately $18,000 in travel support to engage the next generation of diagnosticians and advance student training by enabling students to attend the annual meeting and by providing monetary awards to reward excellence in diagnostic medicine. This work is only made possible through generous donations from engaged AAVLD members like you.

We need your support!

Please donate an item or make a monetary donation to support this important cause. 

This year we will return to our pre-pandemic event format featuring a silent auction, raffle, and live auction. Please attend!

------ Visit https://aavco.memberclicks.net/foundation-auction to make a donation now!

Brett Webb, DVM, PhD., Foundation Cochair

Francois Elvinger, Dr.med.vet., PhD., Foundation Cochair

On August 22^nd, AAVLD leaders met with NVSL and NBAF leaders at the new $1.25B National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan Kansas. The purpose of the meeting was to hold our quarterly MOU Meeting between AAVLD and NVSL, but it also afforded a unique opportunity for a tour of the research and diagnostic units before they advanced to full operations when access will be restricted to as required purposes only. The NBAF is a level 5 security federal facility, the highest level there is. Our hosts for the meeting were Katie Pawlosky (NBAF Director of Communications), Dr. Suelee Robbe-Austerman (NVSL Director), and Dr. Christina Loiacono (NAHLN Coordinator). A special thank you to them and all the other NBAF leaders who guided us through the beautiful facility.

It was rewarding to AAVLD leaders to see the completion of the NBAF, the final piece of a strategic puzzle laid out by the Animal Health Safeguarding Review in 2001.  The review was the result of years of discussion and an approximate one-year comprehensive national analysis of animal health diagnostic, research, and operational preparedness for handling potentially devastating transboundary and domestic diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, Avian Influenza, anthrax, tuberculosis, rabies, and others. The review was coordinated by NASDA and conducted by leaders from AAVLD, USAHA, USDA, and all major animal agricultural commodity groups. 

The review put forth recommendations to reduce our vulnerabilities (including agroterrorism) and laid the foundation for major transformations in the 22 years since including:

·      The establishment of an MOU between AAVLD and NVSL to develop a joint national strategy and partnership to ensure that adequate animal health diagnostic services were available across the nation. The first action item from that MOU was the establishment of the NAHLN.

·      The conversion of the AAVLD Laboratory Accreditation Standard to be compatible (per OIE) with international expectations. The AAVLD standard was converted to be a direct application of ISO 17025 and to this day is the only standard that accredits the entire laboratory operation.

·      The modernization of NVSL in Ames was a major need of the time and all partners (except USDA) advocated and spent political chips to see this happen.

·      Numerous AAVLD-accredited laboratories modernized or were completely rebuilt over the past 22 years, enhancing size, efficiency, and biosafety levels as demanded by the type of work they performed; all at state expense.

·      And now, finally the review advocated for the modernization of the FADDL at Plum Island and the seeds were planted to consider moving that laboratory to the mainland for more efficient operation.

All partners can be extremely proud of the transition. It may seem that 22 years was a long time for total implementation, but considering the scope, the huge funding requirements, and the political maneuvering required to complete all of them, it is truly an amazing accomplishment.  Thank you everyone for the vision and the work required to make it happen. I truly feel that the USA is as prepared as we possibly can be to face the ever-changing challenges of protecting animal health, human health, and ensuring food security. 

David H. Zeman, DVM, PhD, DACVP

AAVLD Executive Director 

Union Station

Local Tours

Gaylord National Resort partners with Old Town Trolley to provide shuttle service to downtown Washington, D.C., and tours of the Capital region. Tickets for all tours can be purchased at the concierge desk at Gaylord National. All tours depart from The Welcome Center in downtown Washington, D.C., except the Monuments by Moonlight tour. Ask the concierge desk for more information.

September 2023

Click here for Sept issue

Stay Connected:

The Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation is the official journal of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The mission of the Journal is to educate by informing readers of progress in veterinary laboratory medicine and related fields of endeavor. The key objectives of the JVDI are to promote the science of veterinary laboratory medicine and the betterment of animal and public health. JVDI fully supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in our publishing activities.

Editor-in-chief, Dr. Grant Maxie / https://journals.sagepub.com/home/VDI

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”

– F. Scott Fitzgerald

"Another fall, another turned page: there was something of jubilee in that annual autumnal beginning as if last year's mistakes had been wiped clean by summer."

– Wallace Stegner

2023 Videos worth watching

2023 Speaker video

2023 AAVLD Presidents Message

Eric Burrough, DVM, PhD

Functions of AAVLD Committees

Committees serve multiple functions that are essential to the AAVLD mission. This includes dissemination of the latest scientific information that will advance the many disciplines engaged with diagnostic medicine, including:

AAVLD will soon offer a 'Committee Membership Enrollment Form'. Coming soon.

Click here for full article:

• Annual Meeting Proceedings
• Annual Meeting Scientific Presentations (Video and PDF Posters)
• Plenary Sessions
• Testimonials

Click here for full article:

Veterinary Jobs - American Association of Veterinary...

The American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians offers the top jobs available in Veterinary diagnostic labs. Search and apply to open positions or post jobs on the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians now.

Contact: rozuna@aavld.org

AAVLD membership is open to any individual interested in the disciplines and activities of veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Membership terms are by calendar year (January-December) and membership dues are payable by November 15th of the preceding year (to ensure inclusion in the annual membership directory, eligibility for committee involvement, and receipt of all six issues of the JVDI). Note: In order to receive a discounted rate for the Annual Meeting registration, you are required to be a current AAVLD Member.

2022 Student Travel and

Student Competitive Awardees

 click here

The generous contributions and participation by our Exhibitors and Sponsors is a huge part of our conference success year after year. On behalf of the AAVLD, we would like to thank these companies for their commitment to our organization and helping us to achieve our mission.