Final preparations are underway for the AAVMC's annual meeting March 4-6, 2016, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Themed "Fifty and Forward," the conference and Saturday night Gala will serve as the culminating event for the AAVMC's year-long 50th Anniversary Celebration. One of the highlights of the opening ceremonies will be the public introduction of "Pathways to Progress," a book on the history of the AAVMC and academic veterinary medicine authored by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Emeritus Dr. Donald F. Smith. All registered conference guests will receive a complimentary copy of the nearly 300-page limited-edition hardcover book, and Smith will be available on March 4 to autograph copies. Registrants will also receive a copy of the commemorative anniversary poster featuring commissioned art created by Athens, Georgia based artist Jonathan Ahee. Learn more.

Fifteen One Health Scholars have been named as part of the One Health Inter-professional Education Initiative. Those individuals have created instructional modules that can be accessed on the AAVMC website by educators for use in a variety of different health professions and will make presentations during the annual conference. The One Health Inter-professional Education Initiative was announced in early 2015. Organized by the AAVMC in collaboration with the Association for Prevention, Teaching and Research (APTR) and the Healthy People Curriculum Task Force (HPCTF), the program is designed to provide pedagogical support for introducing One Health concepts into the degree programs of students in the health professions. Learn more.

Experts from various health disciplines met to discuss AMR.

Leaders in the veterinary and human health communities, the livestock sector, consumer groups and federal and state regulatory agencies recently gathered in Washington, D.C. to discuss policy, education and economic issues of the stewardship of antimicrobial drug use in food animals. The national summit, Antibiotic Stewardship: Policy, Education and Economics, convened a variety of experts to examine strategies for responding to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, according to Dr. Chase Crawford, director of the APLU/AAVMC's Antibiotic Resistance Initiative. Crawford helped plan and organize the event. Learn more.

AAVMC's newest diversity program, "Diversity and Inclusion on Air," kicked off the New Year with a recent live interview with Dr. Jana Hilton, a small animal veterinarian working with Zoetis to provide information and product support. Dr. Hilton discussed her transition from clinical to corporate practice as well as her experiences as a student at the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. She urged the profession to create numerous opportunities for a wide array of students and encouraged students to be diligent about their pursuit in the profession. See "Diversity and Inclusion on Air" on YouTube.

The USDA has announced $15.1 million in funding for 35 food safety grants, including $3.4 million in funding for six programs focused on the development of antimicrobial resistance strategies, according to Dr. Chase Crawford, director of the APLU/AAVMC's Antibiotic Resistance Initiative. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) made the awards through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). Learn more.
 

The Obama Administration's FY 2017 budget request includes $700 million for the USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), a program that provides significant opportunities for U.S. AAVMC member institutions. AFRI was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, but never fully funded. If approved, the budget request would double AFRI's funding and raise it to levels defined by the authorizing legislation, according to AAVMC Director of Governmental Affairs Kevin Cain. Learn more.

Animal Planet will produce an all-new series focusing on the life of veterinary students at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, according to news recently released by the school. PENN VET will feature a behind the scenes look at academic life, shadowing fourth year students as they negotiate the challenges and demands of veterinary education. PENN VET will feature students with diverse backgrounds and goals as they handle a wide range of cases, at both Ryan Hospital for companion animals, in Philadelphia, and New Bolton Center hospital for large animals in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Learn more.

Dean Eleanor Green joins colleagues during announcement.

The Texas A&M University System has announced plans to expand veterinary education, research and undergraduate outreach into several regions of the state through four A&M System universities. "The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences has served animal owners in Texas and beyond for 100 years," said Dr. Eleanor M. Green, the Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine. "We intend to expand our ability to respond to the needs of our diverse populations and to the needs of the veterinary profession by linking the vast strengths of Texas A&M across the state." Learn more.

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