AABP Embraces Change, Expands Skills and Explores Opportunities in the "Big Easy"
The 48th AABP Annual Conference in New Orleans offered veterinarians and others world-class continuing education on bovine medicine.
It was a successful turnout of veterinarians and veterinary students at the 2015 48th Annual Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Sept. 17-19 in New Orleans, La., last week. The 2015 theme was "Embrace Change, Expand Skills, Explore Opportunities."
A total of 1,396 veterinarians and students, 257 accompanying persons and 380 exhibitor representatives totaled over 2,000 attendees, with attendees coming from 19 countries and four continents. A total of $239,000 scholarships were awarded at this conference. Adding to this year's success were in-depth pre-conference seminars, a new product showcase in the Exhibit Hall, a live and silent auction supporting the Amstutz Scholarship Fund, and over 200 runners at the 3rd Annual 5K Stampede Fun Run sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. which added more than $7,000 to the Amstutz Scholarship Fund.
Immediate Past President John Davidson, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (beef), Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Shiner, Texas, said, "This meeting was the strongest in years and a testament to our AABP member veterinarian's commitment to a life of learning. For 50 years, the AABP has been raising the standards for bovine veterinary medicine. I could not be more proud the efforts of the AABP Program Committee for their contributions to this very successful 48th Annual AABP Meeting."
Davidson noted that in addition to an outstanding scientific program, AABP also recognized many of its members for careers spent dedicated to upholding the standards of bovine veterinary medicine. "With hundreds of veterinary students and recent graduates in attendance for these awards, I am very optimistic for our bright future. The service and commitment by our honorees will undoubtedly be carried on by the newer members of our organization."
In addition, AABP has been active in producing business management webinars for bovine veterinarians through its Veterinary Practice Sustainability Committee, offered a hands-on bovine embryo transfer seminar in conjunction with Virginia Tech, and has played a leadership role in conversations around issues of importance to members and animal agriculture including animal welfare, antimicrobial use and resistance, and prudent drug use.
Incoming AABP President Fred Gingrich, DVM, Ashland, Ohio, added, "Our overarching goal for the continuing education content of the program was to focus on the issues that the cattle veterinarian faces on a daily basis. Animal welfare, bovine respiratory disease, practice management, providing new services to clients and current research topics are all important topics for cattle veterinarians. The leadership of AABP has a strong desire to not only advocate for our segment of the veterinary profession on these issues, but also to present continuing education to our members so that they can continue to improve the skills and knowledge that make us an invaluable resource for the cattle industry."
Continuing education included preconference seminars, clinical forums, beef and dairy scientific sessions, special BRD and practice management sessions, research summaries, poster presentations, practice tips, sessions for veterinary students and new graduates, and a veterinary technician program. Also meeting in conjunction with AABP was the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners.
10.14.2015
