Kovacs with Rep. Ralph     Abraham (R-LA).

The AAVMC's Public Policy Fellows program, which just wrapped up its first year in Washington, D.C., is now accepting applications for 2016. The program is designed to help AAVMC-member institutions' faculty representatives develop leadership skills in the advocacy arena, explore the importance of public policy decisions to the profession, and gain overall knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process at the federal level. But for Dr. Suzie J. Kovacs, the experience offered something more--an opportunity to share what she learned with students so that they understand the importance of public policy involvement. Learn more.

The AAVMC's Workshop on Assessment of Clinical Competencies, held in July at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, looked at the evaluation of professional competencies across professions. As an action item from the workshop, the AAVMC will form a task force to articulate updated competencies that align with the direction of other health professions, with the eventual goal of developing a tool that can be shared across schools and professions. Learn more.

This spring the AAVMC reported findings from a study of VMCAS applicants who applied to international schools of veterinary medicine. At the time, applicants reported being most often influenced by a desire to study abroad. Students also considered perceptions concerning the admissions process, institutional reputation, and costs. In late spring, the AAVMC surveyed this population a second time to explore where students were admitted, where they intended to enroll this fall, and the reasons underpinning their decision-making. Learn more.

The AAVMC's Mashima (left) and Maccabe (right) with Nobel Laureate Dr. Peter Doherty.

Almost 600 veterinary students, faculty and professional staff gathered for the 2015 Merial-NIH National Veterinary Scholar Symposium held recently at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. A presentation by Nobel Laureate and noted immunologist Dr. Peter Doherty highlighted the event. The AAVMC co-sponsors the symposium, where veterinary students from all over the world meet to present their research findings and share research experiences. Merial, a Sanofi company, and the National Institutes of Health, are primary sponsors of the symposium. Learn more.

Progress continues on the development of the One Health Interprofessional Education Initiative and the selection of the inaugural cohort of "One Health Scholars." Initial proposals have been reviewed and ten case study proposals have now been accepted for further development. Announced in spring 2015, the One Health Interprofessional Education Initiative is operated by the AAVMC in collaboration with the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR) and the Healthy People Curriculum Task Force (HPCTF). The goal of the program is to develop a series of instructional case studies that will integrate One Health concepts into the academic programs of students in various health professions. Learn more.

The AAVMC and the AVMA partner on some of the most important initiatives and programs in veterinary medicine. They collectively support the Council on Education to maintain high standards of education and ensure professional excellence. They collaborate on numerous economic, institutional research, and professional development programs that help advance the profession. "Given the importance of our relationship and common interests, we're excited to see the changes AVMA has recently announced," said AAVMC Executive Director Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe. "The recent roll-out of their new logo and tagline is the capstone of a major organizational redevelopment designed to provide leadership and service for the profession and its members." Learn more. 

Kansas State University's Dr. Ralph Richardson, who recently stepped down as dean of the KSU College of Veterinary Medicine after serving for 17 years, was honored with the prestigious "Iron Paw Award" at the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor's recent 10th Annual Homecoming Celebration in Kansas City. Richardson was honored for almost 50 years of service in veterinary medicine before about 1,000 leaders gathered from all sectors of the profession and industry. Learn more.

Dr. Chase A. Crawford, a new AAVMC employee who started Sept.1, will lead implementation of a series of remedial and control strategies and programs expected to emerge soon from the AAVMC/Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Task Force on Anti-Microbial Resistance. Crawford's position is jointly funded by the AAVMC and the APLU. Prior to his appointment, he conducted an AAAS Congressional Science and Technology Fellowship in the office of U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN). Learn more.

Data Analyst Tim Shanahan is among the newest AAVMC employees, having joined the staff just a few months ago. Tim's professional interests include higher education, statistics, sociology, college admissions, and organizational development. His primarily responsibilities with the AAVMC include supporting the AAVMC's institutional research program and annual Comparative Data Report, as well as new research projects that contribute to the diversification of the profession. Learn more.

The triumphs, trials, and tribulations of the life of a modern veterinary student will be showcased during Nat Geo Wild's Vet School, a new television series that follows first- and fourth-year students over the course of an academic year at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The show premieres Saturday, Sept. 19, at 10 EST/9C on Nat Geo WILD. The series chronicles the experiences of seven students as they work through their sequence of classroom, laboratory and clinical training programs. Learn more.

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