The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) held its 53rd Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, February 26-March 1, 2022, at the JW Marriott Indianapolis.
As reported at the AASV’s annual business meeting on March 1, the meeting drew 880 total attendees, including 459 paid registrants and 81 veterinary students from 16 universities. The total attendance also included 252 exhibit representatives from 90 companies and organizations. Including the United States, 16 countries were represented.
Meeting attendees had the opportunity to hear from 213 keynote speakers and poster presenters while attending numerous educational sessions, including 11 pre-conference seminars, 2 general sessions, 3 breakout sessions, 1 research topic session , 3 sessions with industrial partners, the student seminar and a poster session with posters from students, researchers and industrial partners.
The pre-conference seminars included topics on influenza, pharmacology, dietary risks, applied field research, nutrition, leadership, and the swine veterinarian’s toolkit in 2032. The Saturday Diagnostics pre-conference seminars : Opportunities, Breakthroughs and Implementation and Data-Based Decision Making on Sunday attracted the most pre-registrants. attendees. As always, the pre-conference seminar on swine medicine for students was well attended by veterinary students. This year’s ever-popular practical advice session, entitled Practical Advice: Learning from the Past and Shaping Our Future, was voluntarily judged by Drs. Chelsea Hamilton, Clark Huinker and Terri Specht, and chaired by Dr. Melissa Billing. Dr. Thomas Gillespie’s presentation titled Ghost Piglets received first prize, followed by Dr. Jeff Harker, Learning to Work with Yourself, and Dr. Jessica Risser, Tips and Trick for Interpreting PRRS Whole Genome Sequencing. On Sunday afternoon, the veterinary students presented their research and experience to a large crowd at the student seminar.
Dr. Angela Baysinger, North American All Species Animal Welfare Lead for Merck Animal Health, 2021 AASV Meritorious Service Award recipient and newly elected AASV Vice President, opened the Monday General Session with the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture. During her presentation, titled Leaping into the Future: Sit Down, Buckle Up, and Buckle In, she acknowledged that members don’t always have to agree, but strive to be open. of mind. Dr. Baysinger concluded with a statement inspired by a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. She left the audience saying, “The ultimate measure of an organization is not where members stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they sometimes stand in defiance and controversy.
Dr. James Kober, independent consultant and contract pork finisher, presented the Alex Hogg Memorial Lecture titled Learning for the Future. Reminding attendees that Dr. Alex Hogg completed the Swine Health Executive Veterinary Program at age 75, he demonstrated that it was never too late to learn. He encouraged members to reconnect with their mentors throughout their careers, emphasizing that mentoring is a lifelong endeavor.
A panel of dynamic speakers shared their views on diversity, equity and inclusion in veterinary medicine during the general session. Speakers shared a similar theme of acknowledgment and apology, accepting an opportunity to learn, and moving forward with new knowledge.
Concurrent sessions on Monday afternoon challenged veterinarians to assess PRRSV RFLP 1-4-4 and its management; think critically about sustainability and animal welfare; and consider new tools to address disease prevention, control and elimination. Tuesday’s general session focused on foreign animal disease preparedness and response. A panel of state animal health officials from Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota answered many questions from the public.
The AASV has continued to focus on the welfare of its members by hosting the AASV Veterinary Wellness Center. The center offered an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Wellness Wheel, interactive displays and guidance to support a culture of wellness from past and present AASV leaders. The AASV Human Health, Safety and Wellness Committee has prepared an activity to help attendees get to know and appreciate their AASV colleagues and to promote wellness and inclusivity during of the annual meeting.
In addition, 15 AASV committees meet at the annual meeting to discuss important issues in swine health, public health, animal welfare and member services. A new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, established by the AASV Board of Directors at its April 2021 meeting, has focused its discussions on fostering a socially responsible organizational culture that affirms the value of diversity, equity and inclusion.
The AASV Awards Reception was held on Monday evening, followed by the annual AASV Foundation Auction. Dr Scanlon Daniels, 2018 AASV President and Chair of the 2022 AASV Awards Selection Committee, introduced the recipients of the Swine Practitioner of the Year (Dr Dyneah Classen), Howard Dunne Memorial Award (Dr Tim Loula ), Meritorious Service Award (Dr Daryl Olsen), New Outstanding Swine Academic of the Year Award (Dr Montserrat Torremorell), Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year Award (Dr Gregory Cline) and Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award (Dr. Lauren Glowzenski). Learn more about the winners at aasv.org/aasv/awards.htm.
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The 2023 Annual Meeting will be held March 4-7 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado.
