Antimicrobial resistance is a public health crisis of multifaceted origins that threatens patient care, public health, agriculture, economic growth, and national security. In response to the crisis, the Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance in Production Agriculture, formed by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), held its first meeting on January 6, 2015, in Washington, D.C. The goals of the task force are to advise the federal government on the formulation of a research agenda and help disseminate information on the use of antibiotics in production agriculture. Learn more.

Responding to an invitation from the AAVMC, several executives from corporations doing business in veterinary medicine and animal health made presentations during the winter meeting of the AAVMC Board of Directors in Naples, Florida. The executives were invited as the result of an AAVMC effort to increase engagement and collaboration with partners in the private sector, according to AAVMC Executive Director Andrew T. Maccabe. Over 30 academic deans also participated in the meeting. Learn more.

There is still time to meet the early registration deadline of Feb.18 for the 2015 AAVMC Annual Conference and Iverson Bell Symposium, "Recruiting & Selecting for the Future of Veterinary Medicine." The conference, focusing on recruitment, admissions and diversity, is designed to help schools and colleges of veterinary medicine keep informed regarding the latest societal changes, how those changes are affecting recruitment, and how to strategically adapt to recruitment challenges. Learn more and register.

Save the date for the third Health and Wellness Summit, hosted this year by the University of Tennessee, November 2-3, 2015, in Knoxville. The summit is convened by the AAVMC and sponsored by Zoetis in response to a growing body of evidence that veterinary students are experiencing increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression and that these factors may impact productivity, longevity, and professional enjoyment. The goals of the conference are to develop a common understanding of the health and wellness issues in veterinary students and recent graduates and continue to formulate and implement an action plan for enhancing health and wellness within the profession.

The AVMA recently released its Report on Veterinary Markets, which summarizes information presented at the AVMA Economic Summit last October. The report includes a section on the veterinary education market that looks at issues such as the applicant-to-seat ratio at schools and colleges of veterinary medicine and veterinary compensation relative to return on investment. The AVMA Report on Veterinary Markets is the first in a six-report series that will be released throughout 2015. Learn more.

Experts forecast global population may swell to between nine and 10 billion people by mid-century and animal agriculture will play an enormous role in helping feed these masses. In order to address that challenge, the National Research Council conducted a study titled "Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability." The study was sponsored by the AAVMC, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, National Cattleman's Beef Association, National Pork Board, Tyson Foods, Inc., the USDA and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association. Learn more.

Dr. Paul Morley, left, and Dr. Keith Belk are using DNA sequencing to trace antimicrobial genes in cattle

Each year in the United States, at least two million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, resulting in 23,000 deaths. Researchers at Colorado State University are using recent advances in DNA sequencing to track the genetic footprint of drug resistant bacteria in order to determine how infectious organisms originate and move through the food system and environment to people. The study, funded with $2.25 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is one of the largest of its kind. Learn more.

Note: The above story is part of a series of stories that the AAVMC highlights in the Vet-Med Educator on a regular basis from member institutions that demonstrate the many benefits of federal investment in schools and colleges of veterinary medicine.