January 2017
Honorees Announced for 2017 Professional Excellence and Service Awards
The AAVMC has announced the recipients of four awards that recognize various dimensions of professional excellence, achievement and service in academic veterinary medicine. The awards will officially be presented at the AAVMC's 2017 Annual Conference and Iverson Bell Symposium, March 10-12, 2017, in Washington, D.C. "Recognizing the outstanding educators who continually raise the bar in academic veterinary medicine is a highlight of the year for the AAVMC," said CEO Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe. "These dedicated professionals are devoted to preparing the next generation of veterinarians and advancing the frontiers of science and medicine. Thanks to them - and those they inspire through their excellence - the future of veterinary medicine is bright." Learn more.
New Data Highlights Progress in Diversity & Inclusion
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Veterinary medicine needs to become a more diverse profession, and the challenges our member institutions face in recruiting diverse student bodies are well documented. But new data shows that a lot of hard work at the national and institutional level is beginning to pay off. Racial/ethnic diversity in U.S. member institution student enrollment now stands at 17.4 percent. This represents 134 percent growth since the launch of the AAVMC's DiVersity Matters program a little more than a decade ago. "This trend is the result of a lot of hard work by the colleges," said Dr. Lisa Greenhill, AAVMC Associate Executive Director for Diversity and Institutional Research. "They are committed to diversity and to exploring ways of recruiting and admitting classes that will contribute greatly to the future of the profession." Learn more.
2017 AAVMC Conference & Iverson Bell Symposium
Registration is open for the 2017 AAVMC Annual Conference & Iverson Bell Symposium, scheduled for March 10-12, 2017, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.Themed "Building a Diverse Workforce to Serve Global Needs," the conference will focus on the development of diverse and inclusive environments within global academic veterinary medical institutions. Leading educators from around the world will share insights on establishing diverse and inclusive environments on campus through student and workforce recruitment, promoting intercultural competency, understanding the hidden curriculum, fostering appropriate culture and climate, and other topics. Critical issues like student and practitioner health and wellness and educational debt will also be addressed. Learn more. Register now.
Largest Cohort Ever for AAVMC Leadership Academy
The AAVMC's Leadership Academy program continues to build momentum. The 2017 Leadership Academy cohort, the largest ever with 38 participants, convened in December at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, for the first of three major personal and professional development programs. "The AAVMC is serious about our mission to help develop tomorrow's leaders in academic veterinary medicine," said AAVMC CEO Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe. "It's our privilege to bring these emerging leaders together and provide resources that enrich their professional development. We're also very grateful for Elanco's sponsorship, which makes this important initiative possible." Learn more.
Detailed look at Admissions Cycle Demonstrates Demand, Process Improvement
A record number of applicants applied to veterinary college for admission in the Class of 2021 (7,071), which is about six percent over the year before (6,673). As a group, they're fractionally younger than last year's cohort (22.8 years old vs. 23.2 years old) and, on average, they applied to more schools than ever before during the process (4.8 vs. 4.6 the year before and 4.4 the year before that). They also participated in a VMCAS application process that performed better than ever before for both applicants and institutions, according to Director of Admissions and Recruitment Tony Wynne. Approximately 80 percent of the applicants were female and 20 percent were male, which is consistent with recent norms. Learn more.
Iverson Bell Midwest Diversity Summit Evolves with the Commitment of Additional Veterinary Schools
Dr. Iverson Bell
Designed to make veterinary medicine a more diverse and inclusive profession, the bi-annual Iverson Bell Symposium is one of the AAVMC's most visible and compelling programs. Every two years, including this one, leading thinkers gather to create strategies for progress and celebrate achievement. During those "off" years when the Iverson Bell Symposium is not held as part of the AAVMC's annual international conference, the Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit has been presented at the Purdue University and Michigan State University Colleges of Veterinary Medicine. Now, thanks to the inspiring work of leaders and faculty at those two institutions, the regional summit will be presented at several other midwestern universities as well. Learn more.
AAVMC Formalizes Relationship with VOICE
In 2006, veterinary students at Cornell University founded Veterinary Students One in Culture and Ethnicity (VOICE), a student organization that would promote diversity within the veterinary profession. The student organization has quickly grown to include more than 15 chapters at veterinary colleges around the country and garnered attention and funding from Zoetis. Dr. Lisa Greenhill, AAVMC Associate Executive Director for Diversity and Institutional Research has served as the group's national advisor, and in Fall 2016, the AAVMC agreed to formalize their long-standing relationship with VOICE. Moving forward, AAVMC will manage the national organization's financial accounts and provide leadership development programming for national and chapter leaders. Learn more.
AVMA-AAVMC Joint Committee Meets in Washington
The AVMA- AAVMC Joint Committee convened for its semi-annual meeting on December 16, 2016, at the AAVMC's new international headquarters in Washington. During the day-long meeting, leaders from the two organizations collaborated on a variety of programs and issues affecting the profession and academic veterinary medicine. Following general reports from AAVMC President Dr. Douglas Freeman and AVMA President Dr. Thomas Meyer highlighting major news and events within their respective organizations over the prior six months, the group worked through a busy agenda that explored major issues like accreditation, student debt, federal government relations and other matters. Learn more.

Academic Veterinary Medicine in the News
How Studying Animals Will Make Us Healthier
Newsweek
New Medication a Breakthrough for Canine Cancer
9News
$39 Million Gift to Fund New Program at Ohio State
Veterinary Practice News
My View: To Feed the World, Look to Veterinarians
Deseret News
Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Found at U.S. Pig Farm by Ohio State Scientists
EIN News
Oklahoma State Vets Perform First-Ever Open Heart Surgery on a Sheep
Veterinary Practice News
Loan Repayment Program to Help Veterinarians in Underserved Areas
Augusta Free Press 
Immunotherapy: The Next Best Hope for Defeating Cancer?
Veterinary Practice News
FDA Tightens Rules On Antibiotics In Livestock Feed
Colorado Public Radio
Woman Leaves Almost $1M to UGA Veterinary Medicine College
Atlanta Journal Constitution
How Bacteria in Undercooked Chicken Can Cause Paralysis
Epoch Times
K-State Vet Lab Awarded Quintet of Swine Research Grants
Indiana Ag Connection
New Federal Rules For Using Antibiotics On The Farm May Fall Short
KCUR
Vet Social Worker Pioneers Role in Saskatchewan
The Leader Post
Researchers Report Progress on Long-Lasting Flu Vaccine
TribLive 

Association of American Veterinary
Medical Colleges
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