The President’s Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated meritorious achievement or contribution by undertaking special initiatives that advance the mission, values, recognition, and reputation of the organization.
This award goes to any member of an AAVLD laboratory who has performed their laboratory duties on behalf of their clients in an outstanding fashion. This may be at the laboratory bench conducting diagnostic tests, or by performing a variety of essential laboratory management services such as clerical, fiscal, physical facility, or quality system work.
The AAVLD Distinguished Service Award honors those members who have generously volunteered their time, energy, and professionalism to substantially enrich and advance the AAVLD organization.
The E. P. Pope Award is presented in memory of Dr. Edward P. Pope who was one of the founders of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) and who served with distinction as its Secretary-Treasurer from 1959 to 1972. The award was established in his honor in 1974, The Pope Award is the highest award given by the Association and is presented to an individual who has made noteworthy and significant contributions to the Association in regard to implementing and advancing the recognition of the specialty of veterinary diagnostic laboratory medicine. The 2023 E. P. Pope Award was presented to Dr. Cat Barr during the 67th Annual Meeting of the AAVLD.
On August 22nd , AAVLD leaders met with NVSL and NBAF leaders at the new $1.25B National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan Kansas. The purpose of the meeting was to hold our quarterly MOU Meeting between AAVLD and NVSL, but it also afforded a unique opportunity for a tour of the research and diagnostic units before they advanced to full operations when access will be restricted to as required purposes only. The NBAF is a level 5 security federal facility, the highest level there is. Our hosts for the meeting were Katie Pawlosky (NBAF Director of Communications), Dr. Suelee Robbe-Austerman (NVSL Director), and Dr. Christina Loiacono (NAHLN Coordinator). A special thank you to them and all the other NBAF leaders who guided us through the beautiful facility.
The work of the AAVLD foundation to foster long-term engagement in diagnostic medicine by the next generation of diagnosticians is critical in these times of acute workforce shortages in many diagnostic specialties.
(WASHINGTON, DC) July 19, 2023 — The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the SUPPORT Act - a legislative package aimed to address the growing threat of the opioid crisis, which includes key components of the AVMA-endorsed Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. After sustained advocacy efforts from the AVMA, the language within the SUPPORT Act would schedule xylazine as a Schedule III drug while exempting from scheduling the FDA-approved animal drug, which means that veterinarians will be able to use it as they always have under federal law.
Ohio ADDL is excited to welcome two new section heads this summer:
Dr. Paco Uzal (San Bernardino Pathology) received a high-level merit advancement to Distinguished Professor. The title of Distinguished Professor is the highest campus-level faculty title that can be bestowed. In the entire history of the university, Dr. Uzal is the first faculty member in the “Professor of Clinical” series at UC Davis to have reached this rank. To be recognized as a Distinguished Professor, a faculty member must have achieved the highest level of distinction in their scholarship, teaching, and public service – with international recognition for their scholarly work and demonstrated excellence in their teaching. Dr. Uzal’s scholarly work in both clostridial infections of animals and racehorse pathology was recognized, as was his sustained continuing and professional education in veterinary pathology.
| Bruce Akey, BS, MS, DVM | Pat Halbur, DVM, MS, PhD |
AAVLD is sad to inform our members that one of our dedicated leaders has passed. Dr. Art Bickford was a lab director, served as Secretary-Treasurer of AAVLD for five years, and was the 2001 Pope Awardee. He was a national leader in poultry pathology diagnostics and was engaged with numerous professional organizations. He advanced our discipline in many ways and was a wonderful colleague. Rest in peace, Dr. Bickford.
Congratulations Dr. Edwards for recognition of your distinguished career by the KSU Alumni Association. AAVLD is proud to claim you as a member and we are appreciative of your dedication to our Association and your efforts to advance the discipline of veterinary diagnostic sciences.
The government meeting was successful in addressing the key issues and challenges facing the country. The meeting participants agreed on a set of concrete actions and commitments to advance the national agenda and promote the well-being of the citizens. The meeting also fostered a constructive dialogue and collaboration among the different branches and levels of government, as well as with other stakeholders and partners. The government expressed its gratitude to all the attendees for their valuable contributions and constructive engagement.
