Dr Paul Ruen, chairman of the AASV Foundation, announced the selection of 3 research proposals for funding during the foundation’s annual luncheon on March 10th in Orlando, Florida. The foundation granted a total of $60,000 to support efforts by researchers at Iowa State University, University of Minnesota, and Kansas State University.
A $30,000 grant was awarded to help Dr Locke Karriker and co-investigators at Iowa State University answer the question, “Does knowledge of testing procedures or the format of culture and susceptibility reports from veterinary diagnostic laboratories influence antimicrobial selection decisions?” The two objectives of the study are to determine if training on how laboratory susceptibility results are generated changes antimicrobial selection and to determine if the format and context of antimicrobial susceptibility reports changes antimicrobial selection. Results of the study will be disseminated through veterinary continuing education for veterinarians, peer-reviewed publication, and updated professional curriculum. Data from this study may support further studies aimed at influencing behaviors that could impact antimicrobial resistance.
Dr Fabio Vannucci and co-investigators at the University of Minnesota were awarded $19,700 to fund the project, “Development of a diagnostic platform for in situ detection and subtyping of PRRSV within histological lesions.” The goals of the project are to develop and validate a novel RNA-in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) for in situ detection and genotyping of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strains in lung lesions, to evaluate the analytical performance and agreement between PRRSV open reading frame 5 sequences detected by RNA-ISH in lung lesions and by classical sequencing obtained from tissue homogenate, and to differentiate wild-type PRRSV from vaccine strain in lung tissues of animals naturally infected during outbreak scenarios. The research will offer a rapid diagnostic tool to genetically characterize PRRSV strain in association with histopathological lesions.
The foundation granted $10,300 to Dr Hans Coetzee from Kansas State University to partially fund the proposal, “Evaluating the plasma pharmacokinetics, efficacy and tissue residues of oral firocoxib following transmammary delivery from sows to piglets.” He and co-investigators will describe the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of oral firocoxib in sows, develop and validate a drug regimen for transmammary delivery of oral firocoxib from sows to piglets at processing, and describe the tissue residue concentrations of firocoxib in sows and piglets following oral administration. This research will optimize the dose, duration, and frequency of administration of oral firocoxib in sows for transmammary delivery to piglets prior to processing so that this can be safely and effectively implemented on swine production systems.
Dr Teddi Wolff chaired the scientific subcommittee responsible for reviewing and scoring the proposals received for consideration, and she joins the foundation in thanking Drs Rick Swalla, Robyn Fleck, Matt Ackerman, Luc Dufresne, and Clayton Johnson for their participation on this important subcommittee. Each proposal submitted was given careful consideration.
An overview of past and current projects funded by the foundation is available at www.aasv.org/foundation/research.htm. The foundation will issue its next call for research proposals in the fall of 2019.
Foundation honors Henry with prestigious Heritage Award
Dr Steven Henry received the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation’s Heritage Award during the AASV’s 50th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Dr Paul Ruen, AASV Foundation chair, presented the award to Dr Henry during the AASV Awards Reception on March 11th. He becomes only the fifth recipient of the award, which recognizes individuals who have lifelong outstanding achievements in swine veterinary medicine. It is only awarded on an as-needed basis (not necessarily annually) when a deserving individual has been nominated and selected. Awardees have demonstrated their eligibility through their membership in the AASV, service to the AASV, and service to the North American swine industry.
Henry received his doctor of veterinary medicine from Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1972. After graduation, he practiced in Illinois as a general practitioner before returning to Kansas in 1976, where he practiced with his partners at Abilene Animal Hospital, PA, retiring in 2017.
For more than 45 years, Dr Henry has specialized in health management and diseases of swine. With an expertise in disease prevention and diagnosis in optimizing swine herd productivity, he has consulted in North and South America, Asia, and Australia. He shares his knowledge of swine health by presenting continuing education courses for veterinarians and students at Kansas State University. He has an extensive publication history in professional and industry publications and has authored veterinary book chapters.
A Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Swine Health Management, Henry received the first Allen D. Leman Science in Practice award, was recognized as AASV’s 1981 Swine Practitioner of the Year, and received the Howard Dunne Memorial award in 2002. He was also recognized by Iowa State University with the Science with Practice Award in 2014. Dr Henry was honored as a Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus by Kansas State University in 2002.
Dr Henry has been involved in various AASV committees, represented AASV in the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) House of Delegates, and served AASV as president in 1982. Henry has served on the US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine’s Advisory Committee and the AVMA’s Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents.
Dr Henry was also a pork producer and has served on numerous committees for the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board.
When asked to reflect on his career as a swine veterinarian and his involvement with AASV, Dr Henry replied, “I am so proud of the AASV and what it continues to accomplish! To be recognized by my peers with this honor is most humbling. Just the opportunity to spend my career in this wonderful industry, to be a part of the progress in advancing the health of pigs was reward enough. Of course, recognition makes it all the more special.”
He elaborated, “The AASV, begun as a small specialty species group of the AVMA, rapidly shed this cocoon to include experts from many diverse fields. With core missions of science, education, collaboration, and communication, the AASV advanced the careers of all of us. Now members are leaders in the world swine industry, providing expertise on health and production challenges. Because members so willingly share and collaborate, the capability to actually eliminate diseases and pathogens from herds is now an accepted standard of care. Swine medical care has evolved from ‘attend to these sick pigs and clean up the mess’ to elimination of the pathogen so there won’t be another mess. It takes strong, visionary leaders to accomplish such big leaps. And the AASV organization and members have done just that! What a wonderful place to have as my ‘veterinary home’ for an entire career. Being recognized for having fun with pigs and people for these many years is special beyond words.”
Henry and his wife Vangie enjoy time on their farm with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A cellist, Henry plays with the Salina Symphony Orchestra and enjoys the time spent in various ensembles.
Past presidents rise to the challenge
During August 2017, then AASV Foundation Chairman Dr John Waddell initiated the Past Presidents’ Challenge to help the foundation achieve its $2 million goal by the 2019 AASV 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting. Dr Waddell challenged each of his fellow past presidents to recruit at least 3 new Leman, Heritage, or Legacy donors. To count toward the goal, the donors could have been members who had yet to support the foundation at any level, or those wanting to increase their support from Leman to Heritage or from Heritage to Legacy.
Past presidents accepted this challenge. Fourteen past presidents earned points in the competition by encouraging new endowment contributions. The point system was based on the amount of the donation; the establishment of a Legacy Fund ($50,000) was worth 50 points, a new Heritage Fellow ($5000) generated 5 points, and a new Leman Fellow ($1000) was worth 1 point in the competition.
The Past Presidents’ Challenge winner was Dr Joe Connor with 59 points; he will receive complimentary registration and suite lodging for the 2020 Annual Meeting in Atlanta. Runners-up were Tim Loula (56 points) and Bob Morrison (52 points). Lisa Tokach solicited five new or level-up donors, Joe Connor solicited four, and Tim Loula, Bob Morrison, and Paul Ruen each had three.
The Leman, Heritage, and Legacy contributions provide the basis for a perpetual source of income for foundation programs, including scholarships, swine externship grants, travel stipends for veterinary students, research grants, and more.
Chelsea Stewart receives inaugural student debt relief scholarship
Dr Chelsea Stewart, a 2016 graduate of Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and continuous AASV member since joining as a student in 2013, received the newly established AASV Member Student Debt Relief Scholarship in Orlando, Florida, on March 11th.
The purpose of the $5000 scholarship is to help relieve the student debt of recent veterinary graduates engaged in swine practice who still have significant debt burden. Qualified applicants must have been engaged in private practice with at least 50% of their time devoted to swine, providing on-farm service directly to independent pork producers.
After graduation, Dr Stewart joined the Sheldon Veterinary Medical Center in Sheldon, Iowa, where she spends at least 65% of her time providing veterinary support to independent pork producers, including farrow-to-finish farms with 10 to 2500 sows and various sized wean-to-finish farms. Providing outstanding service, Stewart performs herd health visits, postmortem analysis, diagnostic services, and follow up care and communication.
Dr Stewart credits her involvement with AASV as a student to her success as a swine veterinarian. Relationships made during AASV student networking events fostered interest in swine medicine and mentorship with colleagues. She hopes to keep engaging students and promoting swine medicine.
The new scholarship was initiated with a generous $110,000 contribution to the foundation by the Conrad Schmidt and Family Endowment. Dr Schmidt, a charter member of AASV, explained, “Together, Judy and I noticed that many new DVM graduates interested in swine medicine begin their professional life with heavy educational debt obligations. As a long-time AASV member and animal industry supporter, it was our desire to help AASV members who have dedicated their professional skills to swine herd health and production. We hope that this endowment will grow over time to assist in reducing the educational debt load of AASV members as they begin their professional journeys.”
When asked to comment about receiving the scholarship, Dr Stewart replied, “I am incredibly honored to have received this inaugural student debt relief scholarship. The idea of helping new graduates who are actively paying off their debt burden is fantastic, and I am so thankful to have been the recipient of this scholarship.”
Foundation endowment reaches its $2 million big hairy audacious goal
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation (AASVF) successfully reached its goal of achieving total assets of $2 million by the 2019 celebration of AASV’s 50th anniversary, while at the same time maintaining its ongoing commitment to fund research, scholarships, externships, tuition grants, and other programs and activities that benefit the profession of swine veterinary medicine.
During the recent AASV Foundation Luncheon in Orlando, Florida, Foundation Chairman Dr Paul Ruen announced the establishment of two new Legacy Funds. The Legacy Fund represents the highest level of the foundation’s triad of endowed giving programs (Leman, Heritage, and Legacy), with a minimum $50,000 contribution required to establish a named endowment.
A generous $110,000 donation from the Dr Conrad Schmidt and Family Endowment initiated a new AASV member student debt relief scholarship. Dr Joe and Callie Connor designated their Legacy Fund’s proceeds to be used for research, education, and long-range issues.
Dr Ruen also announced five new Heritage Fellows:
- Dr Jim and Carol Dick,
- Drs William and Brigit Hollis,
- Dr Aaron and Roberta Lower,
- Dr David and Carol Reeves, and
- Dr Paul and Susan Ruen.
If you are ready to lend your support and help build the endowment to ensure future support of the swine veterinary profession, visit www.aasv.org/foundation or contact the foundation by phone, 515-465-5255, or email, aasv@aasv.org.
AASV Foundation endowed giving programs
Leman Named for the late industry leader and former AASV president Dr Allen D. Leman, this giving program confers the title of Leman Fellow upon those who make a contribution of $1000 or more to the foundation endowment.
Heritage The Heritage Fellow program recognizes contributions of $5000 or more. In addition to monetary donations, other giving options such as life insurance policies, estate bequests, and retirement plan assets may be used.
Legacy A donor, multiple donors, or a veterinary practice may establish and name a Legacy Fund with a gift of $50,000 or more. The fund may be named after the donor or another individual or group. The donor designates which of three foundation mission categories the fund’s proceeds will support: 1) research, 2) education, or 3) long-range issues.
Foundation announces recipient of Hogg Scholarship
Dr Erin Lowe was named the 2019 recipient of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation Hogg Scholarship. Mary Lou Hogg presented the scholarship during the American Association of Swine Veterinarian’s 50th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
Established in 2008, the scholarship is named for Dr Alex Hogg who was a leader in swine medicine and pursued a master’s degree in veterinary pathology after 20 years in a mixed-animal practice. The scholarship is awarded annually to an AASV member who has been accepted into a qualified graduate program to further his or her education after years as a swine practitioner.
Dr Lowe earned her doctor of veterinary medicine with highest honors in 2004 from the University of Illinois. She completed the Executive Veterinary Program in Swine Health Management at the University of Illinois in 2009. Since graduating, Dr Lowe has been involved with the pork industry as a veterinarian, production manager, and a technical services veterinarian. She is currently the associate director of field services and data integration with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. She has an interest in improving business and health outcomes by increasing accessibility and usability of data. Recognizing the changing knowledge and skills required of a swine veterinarian, and a desire to better serve the industry through strategic thinking and data management, Dr Lowe has been accepted into the Master of Science-Information Management program in the iSchool at the University of Illinois.
Auction raises $80,000
The 2019 American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation (AASVF) held its annual fundraising auction on March 11th during the 50th AASV Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. This year’s auction raised $80,000!
The funds raised during the auction support foundation programs, including student travel stipends, research projects, scholarships, student externships, awards, support for veterinarians pursuing board certification in the American College of Animal Welfare, and other opportunities to enhance the personal and professional aspects of swine veterinary medicine.
Auctioneer Dr Shamus Brown called the auction assisted by Wes Johnson, who generously lent his capable clerking services. The spirited live auction raised $38,000 in addition to the $18,930 collected during the silent auction and $23,070 in cash donations. All bidding in the silent auction was paperless; bids were submitted electronically via ClickBid Mobile Bidding.
The foundation thanks all those who participated in the auction by bidding on or donating items, as well as those who served on the auction committee chaired by Dr Butch Baker. Visit www.aasv.org/foundation/2019/auctionlist.php to view auction results.
Special thanks go to bid-takers Butch Baker, Joey Burkgren, Tom Burkgren, Jeff Harker, Howard Hill, Dave Madsen, David Reeves, and John Waddell, who watched and encouraged bidders. The auction was a success because of the behind-the-scenes and front-end help from Miranda Ayers, Joey Burkgren, Abbey Canon, Sue Kimpston, Kay Kimpston-Burkgren, David and Karen Menz, Karen Richardson, Lee and Sue Schulteis, Tina Smith, Harry Snelson, and Sherrie Webb.
An extra-special thanks goes out to Lee Schulteis and David Menz for driving the truck and trailer containing all the auction items and meeting materials from Perry, Iowa, to Orlando and back again.
And the winners are…
Thank you to ALL who made a contribution or placed a bid on items in the live and silent auctions.
Thanks to your generosity, the auction raised $80,000 for the AASV Foundation!
We are pleased to recognize the winning bidders who purchased one or more items at the auction:
Roberta Alvarez
Matt Anderson
Paul Armbrecht
Aurora Pharmaceutical
John Baker
Corinne Bromfield
Shamus Brown
George Charbonneau
Scanlon Daniels
Todd Distad
Tara Donovan
RC Ebert
Jeff Feder
Mark FitzSimmons
Christa Goodell
Jeff Harker
Perry Harms
Peggy Anne Hawkins
Jason and Sara Hocker
William Hollis
Megan Inskeep
Randy Jones
Dianna Jordan
Kerry Keffaber
Marcus Kehrli
Jason Kelly
Joel Burkgren
Paul Knoernschild
John Kolb
Chris Kuster
Rodger Main
David and Karen Menz
Michelle Michalak
Bill Minton
Eric Moore
David Nolan
Russ Nugent
Chris Olsen
Tom Petznick
Phibro Animal Health
Michael Pierdon
Alex Ramirez
Steve Schram
Kent Schwartz
Steve Sornsen
Bill Starke
Rick Tubbs
Liz Wagstrom
Tom Wetzell
Kristen White
Warren and Marilyn Wilson
Paul Yeske
Ten veterinary students receive $5000 scholarships
In partnership with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation (AASVF), Merck Animal Health announced the 2019 recipients of the AASVF-Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarships.
The recipients, who were each awarded a $5000 scholarship, were:
- Kayla Castevens, North Carolina State University
- Grace Elijah, Kansas State University
- Matt Finch, Iowa State University
- Taylor Homann, University of Minnesota
- Sophie Leone, Colorado State University
- Jamie Madigan, North Carolina State University
- Elizabeth Noblett, North Carolina State University
- Shelby Perkins, University of Missouri
- Rachel Stika, Iowa State University
- Zach Talbert, University of Illinois
Second- and third-year students enrolled in American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited or recognized colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean Islands were eligible for the scholarship. Learn more at www.aasv.org/foundation.
Social media raises money for AASV Foundation #AASV2019
Elanco Animal Health graciously hosted a social media booth at the annual meeting to encourage all AASV members to join social media to promote the swine industry, share lessons learned, and celebrate the great achievements in swine health accomplished during the last 50 years.
Along with Elanco representatives, AASV student members explained the various social media platforms to those who were unfamiliar. Large screens at the booth displayed live monitoring of real-time social media issues that pertain to the swine industry, showing how many were “talking” about pigs, pork, animal health, and foreign animal diseases. Elanco donated $1 for each mention of #AASV2019 on Twitter or Instagram during the meeting (up to $2500), and raised $676 for the foundation. Consider joining next year’s #AASV2020 conversation!
Phibro Animal Health makes $25,000 endowment match – again!
For the third year of its 4-year commitment, Phibro Animal Health is contributing $25,000 to the AASV Foundation endowment, thanks in part to contributions by AASV members. In 2016, the company pledged to donate up to $100,000 over 4 years by matching $25,000 of the endowed contributions made by AASV members each year. Phibro’s most recent match brings the company’s total donation to $75,000 so far, with one year remaining in the pledge.
AASV member contributions to the Leman, Heritage, and Legacy programs are endowed and count towards the match total. If you haven’t already become a Leman, Heritage, or Legacy donor, help the foundation make the most of this matching opportunity by doing so in 2019. And be sure to thank Phibro Animal Health for their ongoing commitment to support swine veterinarians and the AASV Foundation!