LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Takes Leadership Role in Veterinary Profession

LSU Vet Med faculty, staff, and students are actively involved in various national associations, shaping veterinary policy and education. Colin Mitchell, Interim Dean of LSU Vet Med, emphasized, "Leadership is service. Our faculty, staff, and students are committed to advancing our institution and also to strengthening the profession as a whole. Their willingness to lead reflects the depth of expertise and dedication that distinguishes LSU Vet Med."

Numerous LSU Vet Med faculty participate in leadership roles within organizations that influence veterinary practice and public policy. Dr. Henry Green, who graduated in 1999, recently completed his term as president of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). Dr. Clare Scully serves as president of the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners and the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association. Other key figures include Dr. Rob Simpson, president of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association, and Dr. Adriano Vatta, who is president-elect of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists.

In the realm of veterinary education, Dr. Gretchen Delcambre sits on the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Admissions and Recruiting Committee, where she continues to contribute as a senior member. Additionally, Tilly Parkin represents LSU Vet Med on the AAVMC’s Admissions Operations Subcommittee.

Internationally, LSU Vet Med’s influence is evident through the leadership of faculty in European veterinary specialty colleges. Dr. Nathalie Rademacher is the president of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, while Dr. Thomas Tully and Dr. Javier Nevarez hold significant roles within the European College of Zoological Medicine.

In diagnostics, Brandye Smith of the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory plays a leadership role with the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, contributing to animal health surveillance and disease detection. Dr. Alma Roy will represent Louisiana at the association's House of Delegates in 2026.

In biomedical research, Dr. Konstantin (Gus) Kousoulas continues to lead the National Association of IDeA Principal Investigators and is involved with several national initiatives supporting biomedical discovery. Other faculty, such as Dr. Alexandra Noël and Dr. Brooke Dubansky, hold editorial and committee leadership positions in key scientific organizations.

LSU Vet Med students are also active, with Spencer Stelly serving as national president of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA), while Armando "AJ" Lopez and Brooke Javier act as national SAVMA delegates. This array of roles highlights LSU Vet Med's significant impact on the veterinary profession.

Overall, the leadership, scholarship, and service of LSU Vet Med not only enhance the school's reputation but also advance veterinary medicine on a larger scale, benefiting Louisiana, the nation, and the world.