Catalyze 2025 Brings Innovation, Collaboration, and Forward-Thinking to Veterinary Medical Education | | |
Catalyze 2025 drew more than 400 participants from around the world for three days of collaboration, innovation, and forward-thinking in veterinary medical education. This year’s event introduced new opportunities for creative conversation and bold ideas aimed at addressing the field’s most complex challenges.
Highlights included sessions on adapting to federal shifts in higher education, strengthening the rural veterinary workforce, advancing equity-centered wellbeing, enhancing Spectrum of Care training, and updates from the AAVMC Climate Change Working Group.
> Explore highlights from Catalyze 2025
> Review session abstracts in The Journal of Veterinary Medical Education.
| | Bonnie Rush Begins Term as AAVMC President | | |
Bonnie Rush, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University (KSU), began her term as AAVMC President and Board Chair. Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, AAVMC's Immediate Past President, passed the gavel to Dr. Rush at the Catalyze 2025 annual conference.
A distinguished educator and leader in veterinary medicine, Dr. Rush brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She has served as a hospital clinician, classroom educator, researcher, clinical sciences department head, teaching hospital director, executive associate dean, and interim dean at KSU. She is a Diplomate of the American College of Large Animal Internal Medicine and has authored more than 110 journal articles, 30 book chapters, and a textbook.
“As I assume this role, I do so with deep respect for the legacy of excellence in academic veterinary medicine and the unwavering dedication of our educational community,” says Dr. Rush. “Together, as stewards of knowledge, innovation, and compassion, we will champion the next generation of veterinary professionals, advance meaningful research, and strengthen our shared commitment to animal and human well-being through education, collaboration, and leadership.”
Joining Dr. Rush on the 2025–2026 Board are Drs.:
- Kathryn Meurs, President-elect
- Rustin Moore, Immediate Past President
- Dori Borjesson, Secretary
- Lorin Warnick, Treasurer
- Julie Funk, Guy Loneragan, and Susan VandeWoude, At-Large Directors, Region I
- Dominique Griffon, At-Large Director, Region II
- Tim Parkin, At-Large Director, Region III
- Henry Annandale, At-Large Director, Region IV
- Roger Fingland, Liaison Representing AAVC (non-voting)
- Ms. Jennifer Serling, Liaison Representing AVTE (non-voting)
- Ms. Stefanie Contreras, Liaison Representing SAVMA (non-voting)
- Ms. Dotty Gray, AAVMC Interim CEO/COO (non-voting)
AAVMC extends its gratitude to all Board members and volunteers for their dedication and service to academic veterinary medicine.
> Meet the 2025–2026 AAVMC Board
| | AAVMC Pre-Vet Career Fair Caps Off Catalyze 2025 with Inspiration and Connections | | |
The AAVMC Pre-Vet Career Fair was a powerful conclusion to Catalyze 2025 on April 12. More than 130 prospective veterinary students connected with representatives from AAVMC member institutions and gained valuable insights into the profession.
Keynote speaker Dr. Michelle Schack inspired attendees with her presentation, “It All Started With a Cow—An Unconventional Path to a Purpose-Driven Vet Life.” She shared her personal journey and reflections on building a meaningful career in veterinary medicine.
Dr. Schack is a dairy veterinarian, co-founder of DairyKind, and a passionate advocate for animal well-being and sustainable farming. Through her clinical work, national speaking engagements, and viral social media platform DairyDoc (TikTok, @DairyDoc; Instagram, @Dairy.Doc), Dr. Schack is helping educate people about dairy farming and connect agriculture and consumers.
| | New Guide Supports Spectrum of Care Implementation in Veterinary Education | | |
The AAVMC Spectrum of Care Initiative Task Force is pleased to announce the release of Enhancing Spectrum of Care Preparation in Veterinary Education Programs: An Implementation Strategies Guide.
This comprehensive resource offers strategic guidance and tools for planning, implementing, and sustaining spectrum of care curricular changes. Grounded in evidence-based change management principles, the guide features the Spectrum of Care Education Model and is designed to support veterinary programs in preparing students for real-world practice.
Developed by a collaborative group of nearly 40 veterinary educators from 25 AAVMC member institutions across five countries—alongside more than 25 veterinary professionals and practitioners—the guide reflects the shared expertise and commitment of the global veterinary education community. The AAVMC is grateful to these members of the veterinary community for generously sharing their ideas and expertise to help prepare students for spectrum of care practice.
| | CBVE-Nursing Model Launches to Support Competency-Based Education in Veterinary Nursing and Technology | | |
AAVMC is proud to announce the release of the Competency-Based Veterinary Education – Nursing Model (CBVE-N or CBVE-Nursing Model). Aligned with the AAVMC CBVE 2.0 Model, the CBVE-N Model offers a consensus foundation for developing and implementing competency-based curricula in veterinary nursing and veterinary technology programs.
To explore the CBVE-N Model, visit the AAVMC website and Knowledge Center.
| | Final Accreditation Webinar Highlights AVBC and Draws Global Audience | | |
The third and final webinar in AAVMC’s accreditation series took place on April 3, spotlighting the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC). Dr. Jennie Hodgson and Dr. Rosanne Taylor led the session, which featured translated captions in three languages to support international engagement.
The webinar welcomed 87 participants, bringing total attendance across the three-part series to 205.
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The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) is now open for the 2025–26 application cycle!
Learn more about VMCAS or start your application here.
| | New AAVMC Tool Helps Colleges Assess and Advance Organizational Wellbeing | | |
The AAVMC Intentional Organizational Wellbeing Efforts Assessment Tool is now available to help college leadership evaluate and enhance their wellbeing initiatives. This self-assessment resource supports institutions in identifying strengths, uncovering areas for growth, and setting priorities for meaningful improvement.
Colleges are encouraged to respond candidly to ensure an accurate snapshot of their progress in fostering a culture of organizational wellbeing.
> Access the tool here
| | Gender Representation at U.S. Colleges of Veterinary Medicine | | |
The relative percentage of men enrolled in veterinary schools in the U.S. continues to decline. Currently, male enrollment in veterinary schools is 16.2 percent, down .5 percent since last year.
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Registration Open for Academic Veterinary Medicine Symposium
Registration is now open for the AAVMC Academic Veterinary Medicine Symposium, scheduled for June 3–6, 2025, at Texas A&M University.
This premier professional development event is dedicated to advancing veterinary medical education. This four-day symposium brings together educators, researchers, and institutional leaders to explore critical topics shaping the future of veterinary education. The symposium features three key programs:
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June 3: Spectrum of Care (SOC) Symposium—Addressing strategies to enhance veterinary graduates’ ability to practice along the spectrum of care.
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June 4–5: Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) Summer Workshop—A deep dive into CBVE implementation, assessment, and best practices.
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June 6: Consortium of Workplace-Based Education and Learning (COWBEL) Meeting—A dedicated forum for discussing workplace-based learning in veterinary education.*
Attendees can choose to participate in one, multiple, or all of the programs based on their interests and availability.
Seeking CE credits? We are applying for RACE-approved continuing education credits for all three programs.
Don't miss this opportunity to engage with thought leaders, share innovative practices, and collaborate on the future of veterinary medical education.
To register for the symposium, visit the AAVMC Academic Veterinary Medicine Symposium website.
*The COWBEL Meeting is an independent event, with AAVMC providing in-kind organizational support.
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Save the date for PCVE 2025! Registration information will be coming soon!
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The AAVMC strives to create a culture of diversity and inclusion in every dimension of academic veterinary medicine. To foster this goal, the photographs and illustrations which are used in our communications programs are aspirational, and do not necessarily reflect the levels of diversity and inclusion that currently exist.
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