American Veterinary Medical History Society – July 26, 2024

Event

The American Veterinary Medical History Society (AVMHS) held its annual meeting virtually on July 26.

Program

Dr. John de Jong, immediate past president of the AVMHS, welcomed the virtual attendees. Dr. Margaret Brosnahan, president of the AVMHS, introduced Jane Desmond, PhD, a professor of anthropology and gender and women's studies at the University of Illinois College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. She is also a professor at the university's College of Veterinary Medicine and spoke on "(How) Does History Matter?: Thinking Pasts & Futures in Veterinary Medicine."

Awards

J. Fred Smithcors Student Veterinary History Essay Contest, sponsored by the Donaldson Charitable Trust

Brianna Trent-KielbasaVictoria WarneckeReagan StephensKristyn BurtonScott Miller

First place-Brianna Trent-Kielbasa (Kansas State '25), for "Welcome to the Jungle: The Impact of Veterinarians in Meat Inspection"; second place-Victoria Warnecke (Oklahoma State '26), for "(Ear) Tag, You're it: The History of National Efforts for Animal Identification"; third place-Reagan Stephens (Texas A&M '27), for "Rinderpest: A Bull in a China Shop"; fourth place (tie)-Kristyn Burton (Oklahoma State '25), for "Genesis of the Beast"; and Scott Miller (University of Missouri '26), for "Ancient Antidotes to Modern Medicine: The Evolution of Veterinary Toxicology"

Business

Similar to previous years, members had been sent a postcard prior to the meeting. This year's postcard, in conjunction with Desmond's presentation, featured the headline, "She Pulls Lion's Teeth," with photographs from an August 1943 syndicated newspaper article showing Dr. Patricia O'Connor Halloran performing daily duties as the first woman zoo veterinarian at the Barrett Park Zoo on Staten Island, New York.

Reports were presented on ongoing AVMHS activities, including the publication of two issues of the bulletin Veterinary Heritage in December 2023 and in July 2024; the inclusion of seven veterinary hospitals and clinics as part of the society's Registry of Heritage Veterinary Practices, which honors veterinary hospitals and clinics nationwide that are more than 50 years old; the addition of nine stories to AVMHS Time-Bites, a series of historical ministories, links to which are regularly published in the Veterinary Information Network's email newsletters; and the 2024 J. Fred Smithcors Student Veterinary History Essay Contest. A book about an intelligent horse, "Beautiful Jim Key," was distributed in appreciation to all students who participated in the 2023 essay contest. Four AVMHS Interim News & Comment newsletters were produced and sent to the membership in September and November 2023 and in March and May 2024. In the past year, the society added new resource information pages to its website for historical markers, memorials, reports posted in AVMA News, and women veterinarians.

Dr. Helen Wojcinski, chair of the Membership Committee, introduced new committee member, Dr. Justin Kastner. She said the committee's primary focuses continue to be in the areas of recruitment, retention, and engagement of members.

The Museum Committee, chaired by Dr. Zbigniew Wojcinski, held five virtual meetings during the year. Committee members fielded several inquiries regarding the identification and donation of antique veterinary instruments and other memorabilia. A procedure for facilitating those inquiries is being pursued along with updating the society's veterinary and related museums directory. The committee intends to utilize Constant Contact, an email marketing platform, to communicate with museums and sources. Members have begun investigating existing historical markers and supporting the creation of new ones related to aspects of veterinary medicine in communities across the country.

Dr. Susan Aiello, editor of the Guideposts book project, reported that copies of the book "Guideposts for Veterinary Professionals" that were given free to students for the past two years are no longer being shipped to veterinary colleges in the United States and Canada because of depleted inventory and the postponement of reprints due to the lack of funds. She also reported that the final manuscript of the book "Five Brothers, Five Irishmen, Five Veterinary Surgeons," by Dr. John Going, has been sent to the page designer as fundraising and preparations continue toward publication this fall or early 2025. Dr. Aiello described the success of a display at the Student AVMA (SAVMA) symposium held March 14-17 in Knoxville, Tennessee, and noted the high level of interest in history among students she met. At the symposium, tasseled bookmarks were given to those who signed up for information about the society and how to become more involved in understanding history. Dr. Aiello recommended fostering further connection with SAVMA in the coming years.

Dr. Fred Born of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, described progress in conducting oral histories of past presidents of the Wisconsin VMA since 1951. Dr. de Jong suggested that that effort might serve as a model for similar initiatives by other state VMAs and the AVMA.

Officials

Dr. Margaret M. BrosnahanDr. Arnold L. Goldman

Dr. Margaret M. Brosnahan, Scottsdale, Arizona, president; Dr. Arnold L. Goldman, Canton, Connecticut, program chair and president-elect; Susanne K. Whitaker, Ithaca, New York, secretary-treasurer; Dr. John H. de Jong, Newton, Massachusetts, immediate past president; and members at large-Diane A. Fagen, Rockford, Illinois; Dr. Shannon Greeley, Burbank, Illinois; Dr. Mary Beth Leininger, Lawrence, Kansas; and Dr. G. Sierra Schneider, Terrebonne, Oregon

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