AASV Recognizes 2023 Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ (AASV) Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year award was presented to Jessica Davenport during the 54th AASV annual meeting in Aurora, Colo. The award is given annually to an AASV member five or less years post veterinary graduation who has demonstrated the ideals of exemplary service and proficiency early in their career.
A Charleston, S.C. native, Davenport received her bachelor's degree from Clemson University and DVM from the University of Georgia. She first became interested in swine during a swine production internship while at Clemson. She further solidified her interest in swine through a veterinary internship with Smithfield, an internship with the Swine Medicine Education Center, and several swine veterinary rotations and preceptorships during her clinical year at the University of Georgia. Davenport was recognized for her dedication to swine medicine with the Food Animal Production Medicine Clinical Proficiency Award.
Davenport is currently a staff veterinarian for JBS Live Pork where she is responsible for the health of more than 60,000 sows, gilt multiplication, and nursery and grow-finish. Additionally, she oversees specialty health management programs and disease management strategies for her region.
Nominated for this award by many mentors, colleagues, and clients, all spoke to Davenport’s innate qualities and abilities, especially in communication. She has a unique ability to interact with and read and understand individuals. She expresses empathy, humility, and sincerity in every situation.
Davenport partners with the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine’s food-animal production rotation to expose veterinary students to swine medicine and production and provide on-farm experiential opportunities. Her passion for cultivating student interest in swine medicine will help recruit and retain the next generation of swine veterinarians.
Distinctive for someone early in their professional career is Davenport’s commitment to servant leadership. She is a member of the AASV Pig Welfare Committee, chair of the AASV Communications Committee, and the Missouri delegate to the Swine Health Improvement Plan.
Upon acceptance of the award, Davenport commented, “I am extremely humbled and honored to have been selected as the 2023 AASV Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year. To be recognized for such an esteemed award is truly a privilege, as I work alongside some incredible individuals within this industry that I hold so much admiration and respect for. I would not be the person or the veterinarian that I am today without the support from my family, my peers, and the team within JBS Live Pork. To be successful with the pigs, you have to be passionate about the people, and JBS has truly allowed me the independence to cultivate those relationships with the producers and colleagues that I work with. This award is a direct reflection of the caliber of people that have mentored and guided me in my early years, and I am excited to see what the future holds.”
Davenport resides in central Missouri with her fur and feathered children: two dogs, three cats, and five laying hens.
More from AASV's Annual Meeting:
American Association of Swine Veterinarians Names Hollis President
Swine Veterinarians Share Wisdom Beyond the Farm at AASV Annual Meeting
Face Next-Generation Challenges in the Pork Industry Head On
Tara Donovan Named AASV's 2023 Swine Practitioner of the Year
