Participation of 880 people from 16 countries
March 10, 2022
5 minute read
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) held its 53rd Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 to March 1, 2022. Meeting attendees had the opportunity to listen to 213 speakers and poster presenters in attending numerous educational sessions, including 11 pre-conference seminars, 2 general sessions, 3 breakout sessions, 1 thematic research session, 3 industry partner sessions, 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, “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 pigletsreceived first prize, followed by Dr. Jeff Harker, Learn to work with yourselfand Dr. Jessica Risser, Tips and Tricks 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 his presentation, titled Stepping into the future: Sit down, buckle up and hang in there, she acknowledged that members don’t always have to agree but should strive to be open-minded. Dr. Baysinger concluded with a statement inspired by a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. She left the audience saying, “The ultimate measure of a the organization is not where members stand in times of comfort and convenience, but where they stand in times of challenge 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.
The President of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, Dr. Mary Battrell, reported on the association’s membership and activities at the annual business meeting on Tuesday, March 1. AASV 2022 Officers, Drs. Mike Senn, President; Bill Hollis, president-elect; Angela Baysinger, Vice President; and Mary Battrell, Past President, were installed. The board welcomed newly elected district directors, Drs. Stephen Patterson (District 3) and Maryn Ptaschinski (District 7). Dr. Battrell also welcomed Hunter Everett (North Carolina State University, Class of 2024) as an incoming alternate student delegate to the AASV Board of Trustees, and thanked outgoing student delegate Amanda Anderson (Iowa State University , 2022). Sidney Simmons (North Carolina State University, 2023) assumes the role of student delegate. Guests of honor at the business breakfast included Drs. Jose Arce (AVMA President), Sam Miller (AVMA), Dustin Odekoven (National Pork Board), Liz Wagstrom (National Pork Producers Council) and Paul Sundberg (Swine Health Information Center).
As reported at the AASV Annual Business Meeting, the annual meeting attracted a total of 880 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.
