AASV Announces 2013 Officers

March 13, 2013 — 

Dr. Matt Anderson was installed as the President of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians at the association’s 44th Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. He succeeds Dr. Tara Donovan who is now immediate Past President. Dr. Michelle Sprague has ascended to President Elect. The newly elected Vice President is Dr. Ron Brodersen.

AASV President Dr. Matt Anderson (ISU ‘99) is a Minnesota native who grew up around hogs, cattle and crop farming near Stuart, Iowa. After graduating from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine (1999), Dr. Anderson started his veterinary practice career in Morris, Minn. He has been a partner/owner in Suidae Health and Production in Algona, Iowa since 2001. Suidae is a seven veterinarian, swine-only practice focused on providing full-service swine veterinary care as well as swine health and business consulting. The practice also has business initiatives in production management and research.

When asked about his objectives for the coming year, Dr. Anderson commented on the strength of AASV and the emphasis of its members on providing high quality service for their clients and the animals in their care. He went on to say, “From a disease standpoint, PRRS continues to be our number one challenge and we have to maintain our focus on controlling the disease. But, at the same time we should not lose sight of other disease challenges such as foreign animal diseases and endemic diseases like influenza. AASV members embrace their role as advocates for the well-being of the animals in our care. Swine veterinarians need to continue to be the voice of reality and strong science to support our clients, patients and customers. The leadership structure of the AASV promotes continuity within the organization, and I look forward to being a good steward of the association’s legacy while continuing to address the challenges faced by our profession and the swine industry.”

AASV President Elect Dr. Michelle Sprague (ISU ’05) grew up on a small farrow-to-finish and row crop farm in Glenwood, IA. Following graduation from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005, she joined the Audubon Manning Veterinary Clinic (AMVC) in Audubon, IA. She is currently a partner and director of sow health at AMVC. Her responsibilities include overseeing animal health, biosecurity, food safety and animal welfare on all the clinic’s managed sow farms.

Dr. Sprague has been an active member of the AASV currently serving as the chair of the Pig Welfare Committee and as a member of the PADRAP Advisory Committee. She was awarded the AASV Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award in 2010 and is a frequent speaker at various professional and industry meetings including AASV. She also represents AASV on AVMA’s Animal Welfare Committee and is a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association.

AASV Vice President Dr. Ron Brodersen (ISU ’79) grew up on a livestock farm near Coleridge, Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Iowa State University where he received a DVM degree, and also attended the University of Illinois EVP program. Dr. Brodersen is the owner of Whole Hog Health Center at Hartington, Nebraska where he has been providing swine veterinary services since 1990. He was active on the Nebraska Pseudorabies Eradication Task Force in the 1990’s. Dr. Brodersen has been active in the AASV serving on the Board of Directors, as well as the Pharmacuetical and Boar Stud committees. He has also served as Chairman of the AASV Foundation. The AASV recognized him as the Swine Practioner of the Year in 2003.

Dr. Brodersen said of his election, “I am humbled and honored to be selected as an officer of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. AASV and its members are without a doubt the leading resource for knowledge of swine health and welfare in the world. I will do my best to enhance this role and to serve our membership.”

AASV Past President Dr. Tara Donovan (KSU ’98) is the Vice-President of Veterinary Management for The HANOR Company, one of the country’s top pork producers with operations in six states and over 500 employees. After joining the company 14 years ago as a herd veterinarian, her responsibilities now encompass integration among all aspects of pork production in addition to the traditional role involving production, research and development. Dr. Donovan has been active on several AASV committees including chair of the Human Health and Safety Committee. She has also been an active member of several working groups for the National Pork Board and a member of the National Pork Producers Council Antibiotic Working Group.