Symposium

14th Annual ABVP Symposium

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Speaker Bios

• Brett Beckman
• Heidi Burnett
• John J. Dascanio
• Jennifer Devey
• Misty Edmondson
• Kevin Fitzgerald
• Gail C. Golab
• J. Jill Heatley
• Cathy Johnson-Delaney
• Bob I. Larson
• Sally Lester
• Nat Messer
• G. Noell Moseley
• J. Phillip Pickett
• Christal Pollock
• Drury R. Reavill
• Kimberly Smith
• Jörg M. Steiner

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Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM

Dr. Brett Beckman is a 1987 graduate of Mississippi State University and is acting President of the American Veterinary Dental Society. Dr. Beckman holds advanced degrees as a Fellow in the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, a diplomate in the American Veterinary Dental College and a diplomate in the American Academy of Pain Management. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in the field of veterinary dentistry, oral surgery and pain management. Dr. Beckman was honored as Alumnus of the Year by the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. He owns and operates a companion animal and referral dentistry and oral surgery practice in Punta Gorda, Florida and sees referral cases at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists in Orlando, Florida, and at Cherokee. He lectures internationally on topics related to dentistry and pain management and operates the Veterinary Dental Education Center in Punta Gorda, Florida, a teaching facility dedicated to advancing the educational needs of veterinarians and veterinary technicians around the world in the field of dentistry and oral surgery. For seminar/wet lab information please go to www.veterinarydentistry.net

Heidi Burnett, DVM, DABVP-Canine & Feline

Dr. Heidi Burnett graduated from Cornell University with high honors in Neurobiology and Animal Behavior. She obtained her Veterinary degree from the University of Florida in 1990, winning the research excellence award there, and moved to Wisconsin in 1996 and soon became a diplomate of the progressive American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Dr. Burnett is deeply committed to enhancing patient outcomes for our profession. While serving on the AAHA Standards Revision board, Dr. Burnett pushed hard for and accomplished a key change: the Accreditation Standards today focus on optimal patient outcomes instead of "facilities based" standards. They have been expanded broadly to over 800 and now are "a la carte" so practices constrained somewhat by bricks and mortar but that practice top notch medicine could become accredited. She has recently completed two terms on the American Animal Hospital Association's Board of Directors and currently chairs the Electronic Health Records Task Force and Diagnostic Codes Review Board. Dr. Burnett's special interests include complex internal medicine cases, dermatology, feline medicine and behavior.

After several years experience in emergency and critical care, she chose to rejoin private practice because she delights in knowing her clients and patients well.

Her husband, Craig, owns a web site development company and was also a veterinarian and practice management consultant. They enjoy kayaking, competitive sailing, backcountry camping, reading, fitness and international travel. Dr. Burnett performs classical music on the flute and recorder, paints and loves entertaining with creative cooking.

John J. Dascanio, VMD, DACT, DABVP-Equine

Dr. John J. Dascanio is an associate professor of Theriogenology and Equine Field Services in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He earned his V.M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1988 and completed his residency and internship at Cornell University in 1991. Prior to joining the faculty at Virginia Tech in 1993, he was an assistant professor at Oregon State University. Dr. Dascanio's research interests are centered in the field of equine reproduction. His other main research focus concerns the use of computers and information technology to enhance veterinary education for students, horse owners and veterinary practitioners (www.horserepro.com). He is board certified as a diplomate by the American College of Theriogenologists and as a diplomate by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners - Equine Specialty.

Jennifer Devey, DVM , DACVECC

Jennifer is a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, graduating in 1988. She did an internship and an emergency and critical care residency at the Animal Emergency Center in Milwaukee, WI and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 1996. She subsequently completed a surgical residency studying at several private practices in the USA. Jennifer has been director of emergency and intensive care services at a number of large private referral practices in Canada and the United States. She has published over 50 articles and book chapters, is actively involved in research, and is a member of seven professional veterinary organizations around the world. Jennifer enjoys teaching and is actively involved in training interns and residents. She has delivered over 350 lectures and scientific presentations and over 100 workshops worldwide. In her spare time she enjoys sailing and fly fishing.

Misty Edmondson, DVM, MS, DACT

Dr. Misty A. Edmondson is a native of Elmore County, Alabama. She received a B.S. in microbiology in 1997 and DVM in 2001 from Auburn University. After practicing for two years in mixed animal practice, Dr. Edmondson returned to Auburn University where she completed a residency in food animal theriogenology and a M.S. in biomedical sciences. She is a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists. Dr. Edmondson is currently an assistant professor in the food animal section at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Her areas of interest are beef cattle and small ruminants with a specific focus on infectious causes of infertility (particularly bovine viral diarrhea virus) and urogenital surgery.

Kevin Fitzgerald, PhD, DVM , DABVP-Canine & Feline

With a background that ranges from numerous tours as a bouncer with The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Police among others, a 25-year career in veterinary medicine that saw him named "Specialist of the Year in Private Practice" in 2006, and over 20 years of performing as a professional stand-up comedian; Kevin Fitzgerald is a true renaissance man (although he likens himself to Forrest Gump, always in the right place at the right time). Perhaps best known from his 10 seasons on the popular Animal Planet TV show Emergency Vets, Kevin's passion for making people laugh is surpassed only by his unwavering dedication to all creatures great and small. He believes it is a great privilege to be in a position where he is able to pursue a dual career doing work that he truly enjoys.

In addition to his numerous appearances on Animal Planet, Kevin has appeared on The NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, The Today Show with Matt Lauer, Fox News Channel's Geraldo-At-Large with Geraldo Rivera, The Maury Povich Show, TNN's Crooke and Chase, Discovery Channel's Home Matters, and most recently CBS's The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson . He also hosts a weekly segment on CW2's morning news show called Animal House in which he keeps the public informed about pet and animal-related issues. His national radio appearances include The Howard Stern Show as well as being featured on Paul Harvey's The Rest of the Story.

In 2006, Kevin was incredibly honored by the opportunity to pay tribute to his friend and colleague, Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter) at the 8th Annual Family Television Awards by presenting Steve's wife Terri with a posthumous lifetime achievement award for her husband. Earlier that year Kevin had appeared as a guest on Steve's show New Breed Vets on Animal Planet.

As a performer, Kevin has opened for such diverse and legendary performers as Bob Hope, Diana Ross, The Temptations, and The Neville Brothers. Despite maintaining a busy practice at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver, Kevin performs to rave reviews at nearly one hundred corporate and fundraising events annually and is in very high demand as a host, guest speaker, and lecturer at universities and veterinary conferences across the country. He believes that laughter is an incredibly important part of everyday life and that nobody could ever laugh too much.

Gail C. Golab, PhD, DVM, MACVSc (Animal Welfare)

Dr. Golab earned her PhD from Texas A&M University and her DVM from the University of Illinois. After completing a medical and surgical internship, and following three years in private practice, she accepted a position with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as a scientific editor for the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Journal of Veterinary Research. In 1998, Golab joined the AVMA's Division of Education and Research as an assistant director, serving as staff consultant for issues related to human-animal interactions (animal welfare, human-animal bond). In 2001, she became assistant director of the association's Communications Division, where she continued to serve as staff consultant on human-animal interactions and also managed professional and public affairs communications for the association. In 2006, Dr. Golab became associate director of the AVMA's newly created Animal Welfare Division and, in 2007, was named director of that division.

Her more than 25 years of involvement in the human-animal interactions field, including research and policy development, began at the undergraduate level, transcends both professional degrees, and has included opportunities for exposure to a variety of concerns affecting diverse species. Work experiences in academia, industry, and private practice set the stage for a well-balanced approach to difficult issues.

She has assisted hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare centers with the development of guidelines and protocols for animal-assisted activity, animal-assisted therapy, and resident animal programs (animal suitability, welfare assessment, and disease control), has assisted in the development of animal care guidelines for retail pet stores, and is actively engaged in educational efforts related to dog bite injury prevention. In 2005, Dr. Golab was inducted into the National Academies of Practice (the nation's distinguished interdisciplinary healthcare forum addressing public policy, education, research, and inquiry), and in 2008 she completed requirements for certification as a Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (Animal Welfare Chapter).

J. Jill Heatley, DVM , MS, DABVP-Avian

Dr. Heatley received her DVM from Texas A&M University in 1995. After three years of private small animal and emergency practice, she completed an internship and residency in Zoological Medicine at Louisiana State University. She also completed a Master of Science in Veterinary Clinical Sciences in 2002 from Louisiana State University and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, avian speciality in the same year. She was staff veterinarian for the Southeastern Raptor Center from 2002-2006 at Auburn University. She became a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine in 2008 and is currently Clinical Associate Professor of Zoological Medicine at Texas A&M University. She enjoys bonsai, beading, falconry and bird watching.

Cathy Johnson-Delaney, DVM , DABVP-Avian

Dr. Johnson-Delaney is a 1980 graduate of Washington State University. She received her ABVP Diplomate status in Avian Practice in 2000. She has practiced avian/exotic animal medicine in the greater Puget Sound area of Washington State since graduation. She has served as President of the Association of Avian Veterinarians and is currently the President of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians. She was awarded Exotic DVM of the Year in 2003. She is a frequent author and lecturer in many areas of exotic pet medicine. She also serves as the Medical Director for the Washington Ferret Rescue & Shelter; Veterinarian for the Oregon Tiger Sanctuary in Medford, OR, and a consulting veterinarian for the Pacific Primate Sanctuary on Maui. She shares her home with her husband Mike, 5 ferrets and 2 opossums.

Bob I. Larson, DVM , PhD, DACT, DACAN, DACVPM-Epidemiology

Dr. Larson received his veterinary medical degree from Kansas State University in 1987. After practicing for a year in southeast Kansas, he returned to Kansas State to pursue graduate training in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and he received his Ph.D. in 1992. Dr. Larson then spent four years in private practice, primarily in Abilene, Kansas, where he consulted with cow-calf producers and backgrounding/stocker operations. In 1996, he joined the Commercial Agriculture Beef Focus Team at the University of Missouri and was the director of Veterinary Continuing Education until 2006. In 2006, he returned to Kansas State University as the Coleman Chair of Food Animal Production Medicine. He is board certified Diplomate by the American College of Theriogenologists, the American College of Animal Nutrition, and the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine - Epidemiology Specialty.

Sally Lester, DVM, MVSc, DACVP-Clinical & Anatomic Pathology

Dr. Lester graduated from the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1967. After spending ten years in small animal private practice, she attended the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, earning a Masters in Veterinary Science (MVSc). In 1982 Dr. Lester founded the first private veterinary diagnostic laboratory in North America to achieve ISO 17025 certification, where she served as CEO until 2006. Dr. Lester is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathology (ACVP), certified in both Clinical Pathology (1980) and Anatomic Pathology (1989). Her current focus is as a private consultant. Sons Jim and Richard Lester have followed in her footsteps and also enjoy veterinary careers.

Nat Messer, DVM , DABVP-Equine

Dr. Nat Messer is a 1971 graduate of Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He is currently a Professor of Equine Medicine and Surgery at the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, certified in Equine Practice. He has been an equine practitioner and/or equine clinician since graduation and active member of both the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners for 38 years. He served on the Board of Directors of AAEP from 1996-1999, as well as on numerous other committees within AAEP. He is currently Chair of the AAEP Equine Insurance Committee and represents AAEP on the AVMA Welfare Committee and Unwanted Horse Coalition of the American Horse Council. In 2001, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the AAEP, which honors individuals who have provided exemplary service to the AAEP to the benefit of the horse, horse industry, or equine veterinary medicine. His primary research interests include equine endocrine disease and equine laminitis. He is also a life member of the American Quarter Horse Association and has served on the AQHA Equine Research Committee since 1990.

G. Noell Moseley, DVM, DABVP-Canine and Feline

Dr. Noell Moseley graduated from the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1971. He helped found Hickory Ridge Animal Hospital in 1974, and is one of the founders of Southwind Animal Hospital.

Dr. Moseley is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, certified in Canine and Feline Practice. He is also a member of the Electronic Health Records Task Force, Diagnostic Codes Review Committee, and Leadership Identification Committee for the American Animal Hospital Association.

Dr. Moseley's areas of special interest in practice include neurology, ultrasound, and internal medicine.

Outside of veterinary medicine, his passions are computers and golf. Noell and his wife Betsy have four children and three grandchildren. They are ruled by five dogs-three dachshunds, a doberman and a miniature pinscher.

J. Phillip Pickett, DVM, DACVO

Dr. Pickett is a professor of ophthalmology in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. He received his D.V.M. in 1980 from Louisiana State University and completed a residency in veterinary ophthalmology in 1986 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to joining the faculty of the college as an assistant professor in 1988, Pickett was a clinical assistant professor in Department of Surgical Sciences for the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Veterinary Medicine. Pickett's clinical and research interests include genetic eye disease, glaucoma, equine corneal disease, and equine uveitis. He is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

Christal Pollock, DVM, DABVP-Avian

Dr. Christal Pollock is a graduate of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a residency in avian and zoological medicine at the University of Tennessee and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, certified in Avian Practice. Dr. Pollock served as an assistant professor at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and she currently serves as a veterinary consultant for the Lafeber Company and developer of the new website, LafeberVet.com.

Drury R. Reavill, DVM

Dr. Reavill has over 19 years of experience in avian and exotic clinical practice, laboratory diagnostics and pathology.

She graduated from Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986 and practiced at the Avian Medical Center of Sacramento, as well as provided clinical consultation and laboratory services to practitioners through California Avian Laboratory (a national service exclusively devoted to avian and exotic animals) and California Veterinary Diagnostic Labs of West Sacramento.

She completed her residency in anatomic pathology (including instruction in zoo pathology and course work at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology) and gained board certification from American College of Veterinary Pathology (ACVP) in 2000. Drury is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, obtaining Avian Practice Certification in 1993 and re-certifying in 2003.

Drury has authored or co-authored over 30 papers, 10 book chapters, one book, and a CD, each covering a wide range of exotic animal disease conditions. She is a popular presenter online through VIN and at veterinary conferences, veterinary schools, and meetings in the United States and around the world.

In her free time, she plays classical piano (up-coming recital in May) and is a gamer (World of Warcraft).

Kimberly Smith, MS-Health Informatics

Kimberly Smith-Akin is a PhD candidate in Health Informatics at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas. Her education and experience encompass both veterinary and human medicine. She volunteered as a veterinary assistant throughout high school and college in mixed-animal practices as well as in the state veterinary diagnostic laboratory (now Murray State University Breathitt Veterinary Center) in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. She graduated in 1981 from Eastern Kentucky University with a BS in microbiology, and earned an MS in Health Informatics in 2005 from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Health Information Sciences, where she is now a PhD candidate. She is also a medical technologist (clinical laboratory scientist), and she worked in the laboratory of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center's veterinary medicine division.

She became interested in laboratory computers while working as a medical technologist in clinical chemistry at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, where she became the laboratory information systems supervisor responsible for implementing St. Luke's first laboratory computer system. She has over 15 years of experience working with laboratory and anatomic pathology information systems for various vendors, including CHC, ADAC HealthCare Information Systems, TripleG Corporation, Cerner, and GE Medical Systems, and has helped numerous anatomic pathology departments in hospitals around the United States convert from paper to electronic record systems.  

Her main research interests are in aspects of veterinary informatics, particularly electronic medical/health records in veterinary medicine, and in information representation in veterinary education. Her husband, Ed Akin, holds a PhD in mechanical engineering and is a professor at Rice University. They enjoy traveling, reading, and playing with their three cats. Kim's favorite hobby is wildlife photography, and she and her husband are currently planning a photo safari to Africa.

Jörg M. Steiner, med.vet., Dr.med.vet., PhD, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA

Jörg Steiner received his veterinary degree from the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany in 1992. He did an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Pennsylvania from 1992 to 1993 and a residency in small animal internal medicine at Purdue University from 1993 to 1996. He received his Dr.med.vet. degree from the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany in 1995 in recognition of research on feline trypsin and feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity. In 1996 he achieved board certification with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. In 2000 Dr. Steiner received a PhD from Texas A&M University for his work on canine digestive lipases and their use for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders in the dog. He currently serves as Associate Professor with the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery and the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at Texas A&M University. Dr. Steiner also serves as Director of the GI Laboratory at Texas A&M University and is involved in a wide variety of research in small animal gastroenterology.