The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) announced their 2021 officers at its recent virtual annual meeting. Mary Battrell, DVM, was installed as president. She succeeds Jeffrey Harker, DVM, who is now immediate past president. Michael Senn, DVM, has ascended to president-elect. The newly elected vice president is William Hollis, DVM.
“The AASV has a wonderful future. Each member has a voice and is truly empowered to direct the association’s focus in our efforts to serve the pigs in our care and support those who produce them. In a year full of doubt and fear, it is great to know we have each other and the AASV creates the perfect opportunity for us to connect, learn, and grow,” Battrell said in an AASV release.
AASV President Mary Battrell began her veterinary career in North Carolina working for Fred Cunningham, followed by Brown’s of Carolina, and then Pharmacia as a technical services veterinarian. Since 2000, she has worked for Smithfield Hog Production, where she is currently the staff veterinarian for Smithfield Hog Production’s Central Region and is responsible for the health and well-being of 92,000 sows farrow-to-finish. She has been actively involved in the development of the Smithfield Animal Care Program and their contingency plan for a foreign animal disease.
AASV President-elect Michael Senn was involved in agriculture as a youth and raised on a diversified livestock and crop farm in Kansas, where he continues as the fourth generation to operate the farm. During his nearly 20-year career as a technical services veterinarian, he provided technical support for products and focused on clinical research, antimicrobial resistance monitoring, antibiotic regulatory issues, and emerging infectious disease surveillance. He continues to work as an independent consultant.
AASV Vice President William Hollis is currently a partner and veterinarian of Carthage Veterinary Service, which consults in over 10 U.S. states and provides consulting services in several other countries. He is a Pork Quality Assurance Plus Advisor, served on the National Pork Producers Council Animal Health Food Security Policy Committee and served on the National Pork Board Swine Health Committee. He is an active participant in the National Pork Board Operation Main Street program giving local presentations to raise awareness about modern pork production.
AASV Past President Jeffrey Harker grew up on a diversified livestock and grain farm near Waldron, Ind. He has worked exclusively in swine practice. He first joined Max Rodibaugh at Swine Health Services as an associate veterinarian and then became a partner in 2001. Their practice (now AMVC Swine Health Services) is dedicated to swine and serves a very diverse swine clientele ranging from small show pig herds to contract growers in integrated production. Harker has also been involved with the National Pork Board Operation Main Street program since it began.
