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2026 AAVLD / USAHA ANNUAL MEETING KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Temple Grandin is a Distinguished Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University.  Facilities she has designed for handling livestock are used by many companies around the world.  She has also been instrumental in implementing animal welfare auditing programs that are used by McDonalds, Wendy’s, Whole Foods, and other corporations. Temple has appeared on numerous TV shows such as 20/20 and Prime Time.  Her books include: Thinking in Pictures, Livestock Handling and Transport and The Autistic Brain. Her books Animals in Translation and Visual Thinking have been on the New York Times Bestseller List. Temple was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in September 2017, in 2022 was named a Colorado State University Distinguished Professor, and in 2023 was inducted into the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame.

AAVLD Executive Committee and GRC Leaders Attend Joint GRV Meeting in Washington DC

AAVLD leadership traveled to Washington, D.C. this month to participate in the Joint Government Relations and Veterinary (GRV) Meeting, a key annual gathering that brings together national partners working at the intersection of diagnostics, policy, and animal health preparedness. Members of the AAVLD Executive Committee and the Government Relations Committee (GRC) joined federal agency officials, congressional staff, and allied organizations to discuss priority issues shaping the future of veterinary diagnostics and
laboratory infrastructure. Throughout the meeting, AAVLD representatives highlighted the essential role of state and federal laboratories in safeguarding animal agriculture, supporting One Health initiatives, and responding to emerging and zoonotic disease threats. Discussions centered on federal appropriations, laboratory modernization, workforce development, and the need for sustained investment in surveillance and diagnostic capacity. AAVLD leaders also provided updates on current challenges facing the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and emphasized the importance of stable, long‑term funding to ensure readiness for high‑consequence events. The joint meeting offered valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships with USDA, congressional offices, and partner organizations, reinforcing AAVLD’s role as a trusted voice in national animal health policy. By engaging directly with decision‑makers, AAVLD continues to advocate for resources, programs, and policies that support the diagnostic community and protect the nation’s animal industries. AAVLD extends its appreciation to the Executive Committee, GRC leadership, and all members who contribute to this critical work. Their presence in Washington ensures that the needs and expertise of veterinary diagnostic laboratories remain central to national animal health strategy.

AAVLD President Elect & Program Chair Message

It’s almost time!  In a little over a month, we will be in Aurora, CO for the 2025 AAVLD/USAHA Annual Meeting!  Please join us for a week of collaboration, innovation, and networking at the forefront of animal health and diagnostics.  Finalize your plans now so that you don’t miss what promises to be a fantastic meeting.  The AAVLD room block at the Gaylord closes on October 7, and early bird registration closes on October 16.

This year’s meeting spans Halloween, so we have many treats in store for you (pun intended!).  This year’s Foundation Banquet & Auction falls on Halloween and will be a festive and spooktacular event with a costume contest and other fun.  The Keynote Session at the Presidents Dinner will feature six of our favorite AAVLD and USAHA veterans with tales straight from the trenches.  Our Plenary Session will bring you up to speed on topics including AI-based image analysis, electron microscopy, value-added usage of LIMS data, synergy between classical and modern virology, new surprises from avian influenza, and more – all under the theme “What’s old is new again”.

South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association (SDVMA)

Awards Zeman

At the recent annual meeting of the South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association (SDVMA), Dr. David Zeman was awarded the association’s highest award, the SDVMA Distinguished Service Award.

The award is in recognition of distinguished support and contributions to the veterinary profession. He previously received the SDVMA Veterinarian of the Year Award in 2003. Dr. Zeman was a tenured professor, pathologist, diagnostician, department head, and laboratory director at the SDSU Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (now retired).  

Your AAVLD leaders have signed onto a letter campaign directed at the EPA to encourage preservation of the usage of formalin (formaldehyde) for biomedical purposes.  The letter is spearheaded by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and encourages EPA to use science-based data and appropriate risk analysis and assessment.  See the letter linked below.   

FY26 IRIS Appropriations Letter

AAVLD Website Optimization - Request for Proposal

Background

The American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) has a website for enhanced communications with organization members, affiliated organizations, and the public.

Karriker Named Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine Department Chair and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Executive Director

 GRAND OPENING OF MISSOURI VMDL

On April 18^th, 2025,  the University of Missouri celebrated a grand opening for the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) Phase I building and a groundbreaking for the  VMDL Phase II building. The phase I building ( 34,200 sf) was funded by the state of Missouri ($15 million) and the College of Veterinary Medicine ($15 million). The Phase II building ( ~40,000 sf) is funded by the state ($43 million) and will be named the Dr. Dan Brown Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Building. The late Dr. Dan Brown was an alumnus of the College and served in the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate. The new facility will enable the VMDL to improve its capabilities and capacity in educating veterinary students and supporting the veterinary community and agricultural sector.

KSU ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR NEW KVDL

On April 11, the Kansas Legislature voted to fund a new veterinary diagnostic laboratory facility for the State of Kansas at Kansas State.  The funding provided is $128 million, and fundraising efforts are planned for additional funding.  With the recognition by the Kansas Legislature, the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) will begin the long transition to the Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KVDL)at  Kansas State.  Thanks to all of our fellow labs who helped us get this accomplished!

2025 NEUSAHA Meeting Held in Harrisburg

The 2025 NEUSAHA annual meeting occurred this year in April at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues outside the usual October gathering and was a welcome change from virtual meetings. The inclusive nature of our regional group, which includes AAVLD representation, was notable, and the meeting featured interesting presentations on topics ranging from rabies and HPAI to mRNA vaccines and market prices. A highlight included multiple laboratory speakers from the NAHLN and NADPRP-funded “Transboundary, Regional Emerging and Novel Disease (TREND) Rounds,” an initiative open for northeast AAVLD members to join (email Rob to receive communications: [email protected]). The meeting attendees also had the opportunity to tour the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory that is across the street from the PA Expo Center. We look forward to seeing the rest of our amazing colleagues at the annual meeting this October, where NE AAVLD Representative Melanie Prarat (Ohio) and her virology co-chair, Roman Pogranichniy (Kansas) are presenting a one-day symposium, "International Experiences with High Consequence Animal Disease Outbreaks and Response" that includes speakers from Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Singapore and other countries.

MN VDL WELCOMES NEW FOOD ANIMAL PATHOLOGIST

Zeman Named LSU SVM PhD Alumnus of the Year 

MN VDL WELCOMES NEW ANATOMIC PATHOLOGIST

AAVLD Northeast Region Update

-         Craig Sarver, DVM, retired for the second time from the Ohio Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL). Dr. Sarver provided 32 years of service as a pathologist at the ADDL, retiring in 2022. He returned in a part-time capacity to provide continued pathology support and retired for a second time this past April. Craig is known for his expertise in poultry pathology, and the lab may ask him to come back in the winter if he isn’t busy touring all of the national parks.