AVMA names new communications division leadApril 5, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has named John Eckroth as the association's communications division lead. In this position, Eckroth will set and guide the strategy for all external and internal association communications, including public relations outreach and digital communications. He will oversee the organization's media relations, crisis communications, digital communications, social media, market research, corporate communications and internal communications functions. "John brings a strong background in digital strategy and communications, branding and identity, content strategy, digital asset management, and analytics, and we're excited to see him leverage these strengths to benefit our members and the profession," said Angela Roberts, chief marketing and communications officer at the AVMA. Eckroth joins the AVMA from Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, where he served as director of digital experience and strategy. Prior to that, he was the director of digital communications and infrastructure at the University of Chicago. He graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in computer technology.
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Compassion-First Pet Hospitals acquires Texas, South Carolina specialty clinicsApril 5, 2018Compassion-First Pet Hospitals announced the addition of Texas-based Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center (DVSC) and Charleston Veterinary Referral Center (CVRC) of Charleston, S.C. to its growing family of hospitals. DVSC, founded by Dr. Robert Barstad in 1986, is a premier surgical center for veterinary surgical care, providing neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and soft tissue surgery throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area for over 30 years. DVSC has locations in Dallas, East Dallas, Plano, Grapevine, and Fort Worth. Founded in 2011 by Drs. Alan Green and David Sachs, Charleston Veterinary Referral Center is the only Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society Level 1 certified hospital in South Carolina and the Southeast. CVRC is also one of the few hospitals in the country offering electrochemotherapy for oncology patients. Founded in 2014, Compassion-First Pet Hospitals has 37 facilities across the country. In the past seven months, the organization has doubled its reach. "We are stewarding a new way of practicing veterinary medicine," said John Payne, president and CEO of Compassion-First Pet Hospitals. "We see a future where medical collaboration occurs seamlessly on a daily basis, with experts across the United States. We know that the key to excellent …
Merck Animal Health, AAAP award $50K in scholarshipsApril 5, 2018 Ten second- and third-year veterinary students studying poultry health and wellness have been awarded $5,000 scholarships from Merck Animal Health in partnership with the American Association of Avian Pathologists Foundation (AAAP Foundation). "These recipients are already standout students at their respective universities, and as they prepare to enter the field of poultry production, we want to help provide support for their ongoing education as we know student debt can be a challenge," said Rick Sibbel, DVM, executive director of technical services at Merck. "We are confident that, in the years to come, these talented students will be making a mark on our industry, helping all of us advance the science of healthier animals." The 2018 Merck/AAAP scholarship recipients: Denise Apperson, Oregon State University Jacob Carlson, Kansas State University Dallas Clontz, North Carolina State University Valerie Marcano, University of Georgia Kaytee McCullough, North Carolina State University Sarah Morrissey, Cornell University Kayla Niel, Michigan State University Lisa Tenny, Kansas State University Linnea Tracy, University of Pennsylvania Katie Venters, North Carolina State University "These veterinary students will provide the expertise to nourish the 2050 projected world population of 9.7 billion people with safe and sustainable poultry …
Morris Animal Foundation, Smithsonian team for wildlife veterinarian training programApril 4, 2018To help cultivate the finest wildlife veterinarians of tomorrow, Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) and the Smithsonian Global Health Program (SGHP) have collaborated to establish the Morris Animal Foundation and Dennis and Connie Keller Director of Training at SGHP. The position is responsible for national and international training programs in wildlife veterinary medicine. Morris Animal Foundation will dedicate $700,000 over seven years to fund the position. "This is a truly exciting opportunity and one we are proud to see come to fruition," said Tiffany Grunert, acting president and CEO of MAF. "This wildlife health training program will leverage our funding and the Smithsonian's expertise to multiply our collective impact to save animal lives around the world." Lindsey Shields, DVM, DACVPM, has been named as the first MAF and Dennis and Connie Keller Director of Training. She is an epidemiologist and board-certified preventive medicine veterinarian with substantial experience in international public health and capacity building. In her new role, Dr. Shields will supervise four to eight trainees every year, including veterinary students and veterinarians, from countries around the world as well as in the U.S. Trainees will conduct research focused on a wildlife health issue based on the program's priorities and the trainee's …
Mars Inc. announces $100M venture fundApril 4, 2018 Pet food giant Mars Inc. announced it will invest $100 million in its new Companion Fund, which will back pet care products, tech, and services. The venture fund will be led by Ben Jacobs, CEO and co-founder of Whistle, a company that makes GPS-based location and activity trackers for pets. He joined Mars Petcare in 2016 when it acquired Whistle for $117 million. Jacobs anticipates Companion Fund, which is structured as a standalone firm with Mars as its sole limited partner, will allow the company's pet care division to further diversify through helping start-ups fund product development, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution. "We want to be the go-to partner for any promising new venture in pet care—whether that is health, nutrition, or anything else," Jacobs said. Mars Petcare is one of the world's largest manufacturers of pet food, producing the Pedigree, Royal Canin, and Whiskas brands, in addition to owning BluePearl, and Pet Partners. The company is also one of the largest employers of veterinarians in the United States, with ownership of Banfield Pet Hospitals and other animal health businesses. Additionally, Mars Petcare, in partnership with Michelson …
AVMA, AAVMC form Veterinary Futures CommissionApril 4, 2018To better evaluate the challenges and opportunities within the veterinary profession, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) have established a Veterinary Futures Commission comprised of individuals from academia, industry, professional practice, and other sectors of the profession. "We're very excited to bring together such a visionary and diverse group of big-picture thinkers to participate in these critical discussions," said Michael J. Topper, DVM, Ph.D., DACVP, president of the AVMA. "They are just the right folks to participate in the critical strategic discussions we need to be having, asking the right questions, and, when need be, challenging assumptions that might be holding us back." The commission, a result of the AVMA/AAVMC Joint Committee, will hold its first meeting April 8-9 in conjunction with the Innovation Summit at Texas A&M University. "The purpose of this group is to help shape a better future for the profession of veterinary medicine," said Andrew T. Maccabe, DVM, MPH, JD, AAVMC CEO. "The diversity of perspective and experience that commission members bring to the table is going to promote some innovative thinking and help generate the kinds …
VCA Animal Hospitals kick off second Pennies for Pets campaignMarch 30, 2018VCA Animal Hospitals second annual Pennies for Pets fundraising program, which leverages its 800 hospitals in North America to raise awareness and funds for local companion animal welfare organizations, hopes to hit the $600,000 mark this year, topping last year's total. The campaign is administered by VCA's non-profit partner organization, VCA Charities. During the national campaign, clients at participating VCA hospitals can donate to help companion animal welfare organizations in their local communities. The objective of the Pennies for Pets program is to provide a platform for collecting donations at VCA Animal Hospitals to financially support local companion animal welfare organizations. Last year, the campaign raised $450,000 nationwide through VCA hospitals to benefit more than 85 animal welfare organizations. "VCA has always believed that companion animals deserve a happy and healthy home since our inception in 1986," said Brandon Antin, VCA vice president of social responsibility and innovation. "Through the Pennies for Pets campaign, we will continue our efforts to improve the lives of pets and their families by supporting local companion animal welfare organizations." "The need for assistance for pet welfare organizations continues to rise," said Ron Tatum, VCA …
Hill's Global Symposium 2018 highlights nutrition, healthy agingMarch 30, 2018The role of nutrition in healthy aging is the focus of Hill's Global Symposium 2018, scheduled for April 27 and 28 in Lisbon. The symposium will have an expected attendance of 200 veterinarians from more than 30 countries, but a 24-hour educational livestream will make the event free of charge to veterinary professionals and students around the world. The symposium's theme, Adventures of Aging: Early Chronic Kidney Disease & Growing Older, addresses the reality of veterinarians treating an increasing number of elderly dogs and cats. Helping these animals age healthily is a rapidly growing area of practice and one in which nutrition plays a key role, according to Iveta Becvarova, DVM, DACVN, director of global academic and professional affairs at Hill's Pet Nutrition, and organizer of this year's event. Veterinary experts participating in the symposium from around the world will discuss the implications of recent research into older dogs and cats by Hill's, early chronic kidney disease, and the key role of nutrition in increasing both quality and length of life. Speakers also will advise members of the veterinary healthcare team on strategies to debunk potentially misleading and inaccurate information, and give practical advice on optimizing practice performance …
WVC event attendee count nears 14,000March 30, 2018This year's Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) in Las Vegas, held March 4 to 8 at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Convention Center, was attended by almost 14,000 veterinary professionals from all 50 states and 27 countries. Visitors sat in on more than 1,000 hours of scientific sessions and perused an exhibit hall featuring almost 520 companies. "WVC hosted veterinary professionals from around the world for an inspirational week of education and networking designed to help them grow their skills and clinical offering," said W. Mark Hilton, DVM, DABVP, president of the WVC board of directors. "This year's event gave us an opportunity to celebrate 90 years of tradition and excellence in education, but also provided a vibrant platform to share experiences with colleagues, discover the latest products and services, and reignite our collective passion for serving the health and welfare of animals." In addition to lectures, hands-on labs, and workshops, attendees were treated to music entertainment by Grammy award winners Jewel and Darius Rucker and Emmy-nominated actor and comedian Kevin Nealon. On the exhibit hall floor, the Learning Lounge hosted 34 CE sessions. The Dr. W. Bruce Wren Food Animal Incentive Award was given to five recent post-graduates and the …
MedVet expands specialty veterinary hospital networkMarch 30, 2018Three specialty animal hospitals have joined the MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets family: WestVet Boise in Garden City, Idaho, and WestVet Northern Utah and Animal Emergency Center, both in Sunset, Utah. The new partners will be referred to as WestVet. "MedVet and WestVet, as individual organizations, have been at the forefront of veterinary medicine for years," said Eric Schertel, DVM, Ph.D., DACVS, MedVet president and CEO. "Together, we enhance our ability to collaborate with referral partners to deliver exceptional service and care while maintaining our commitment to leading specialty healthcare for pets." "Becoming a partner broadens our capabilities and strengthens our resources to help ensure we continue to achieve the best possible outcomes for many years to come," said Jeff Brourman, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA, veterinary surgeon and chief of staff of WestVet. The company currently operates a growing network of emergency and specialty veterinary hospitals located throughout the Midwest and Southeast.
