E.P. Pope Memorial Awarded to Dr. Caterine Barr

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 67^th Annual Meeting of the AAVLD.

On August 22^nd , 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.

Government Relations Committee Update

Dr. Francisco Uzal honored as Distinguished Professor

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. 

Update from the Ohio ADDL

Ohio ADDL is excited to welcome two new section heads this summer:

AVMA-backed xylazine language advances in House

Dr. Lanny Pace Receives Honors and Retires after 22 Years of Service

Pope Awardee Dr. Art Bickford Passes 

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.  

Dr. Edwards' Career Honored by KSU Alumni Association

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.

USDA recently announced the following research/development projects to state NAHLN diagnostic laboratories. Congratulations to the award winners!