AVMA elects Dr. Quammen as 2026-2027 President, Dr. Knapp as President-elect and New BOD

AVMA President 2026-2027: Dr. Jen Quammen

Dr. Jen Quammen, a veterinarian whose career bridges clinical practice, technology, leadership, and organized veterinary medicine, became President of the American Veterinary Medical Association on Sunday.

“The future of veterinary medicine won’t be built by any one of us. It will be cultivated by all of us,” Dr. Quammen said in a speech Friday to a meeting of the AVMA’s House of Delegates prior to the organization’s Annual Convention, held this year in Anaheim, CA.

“Whether you’re serving in this House, mentoring a student, caring for patients, advancing research, shaping public policy, leading a practice, supporting a veterinary team, or serving our profession in countless other ways, every one of us has a hand in cultivating what comes next,” Dr. Quammen told the delegates.

“Our profession faces real challenges, but throughout this past year [as president-elect], I’ve also seen tremendous reasons for optimism,” she said. “I’ve seen creativity emerge from challenge, innovation born from difficult conversations, and people who don’t always agree choose collaboration because they care deeply about this profession and the people and animals we serve.”

Assuming the role of President of a veterinary organization with members in more than 60 countries, Dr. Quammen said: “To our international colleagues joining us this week, thank you for being here. Thank you for sharing your perspectives and reminding us that while our systems may differ, our purpose—and our commitment to animals, people, and our profession—is remarkably similar.”

Dr. Quammen, of Walton, KY, began her career in veterinary medicine as a credentialed veterinary technician before earning undergraduate degrees in mathematics and biology, a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Iowa in 2010, and her veterinary degree from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011.

As the chief veterinary officer of Otto, a digital platform that helps veterinary clinics streamline communications with clients, and a member of the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners, Dr. Quammen works at the intersection of innovation, clinical practice, and professional leadership.

A passionate advocate for leadership development and the wellbeing of veterinary teams, she co-founded Veterinarian Coaching in 2014 and has helped numerous veterinarians, practices, and veterinary students on topics ranging from stress management and sleep hygiene to career transition and improved work-life integration.

She continues to practice as a relief veterinarian, an experience that allows her to work with veterinary teams and communities across the country while staying grounded in the realities of everyday practice.

Throughout her career, Dr. Quammen has been active in organized veterinary medicine, serving as president of the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) and co-facilitator of the KVMA’s Power of Ten leadership program. She was engaged with the Veterinary Leadership Institute’s flagship Veterinary Leadership Experience program for more than a decade and continues to champion leadership initiatives.

An alumna of the AVMA Future Leaders Program, Dr. Quammen served as AVMA vice president from 2022-2024, chair of the AVMA Council on Veterinary Service, and on a number of other AVMA entities, including the Practice Advisory Panel and the Veterinary Economics Strategy Committee.

AVMA President-Elect 2026-2027: Dr. Robert H. Knapp

Dr. Robert H. Knapp, a third-generation veterinarian, was chosen as the AVMA’s President-elect on Friday by the organization’s House of Delegates.

In becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Robert H. Knapp followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and father. He earned his DVM in 1992 from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, Dr. Knapp joined his father in practice at Knapp Veterinary Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and became the owner in 2007.

Dr. Knapp embraces the diverse cases presented in general veterinary practice, from the complex internal medicine workup to preventive care visits to palliative care discussions.

Dr. Knapp has a history of leadership at both the state and national levels of veterinary medicine. He served as District 5 director on the AVMA Board of Directors from 2019-2025, and as a trustee of the AVMA Trust from 2022-2025. Prior to joining the Board, he served a six-year term as the Ohio delegate in AVMA’s House of Delegates.

Dr. Knapp has also been active in the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), serving in various capacities, including as president in 2007.

Dr. Knapp’s service to the profession has earned him numerous awards, including the OVMA’s Meritorious Service Award in 1999 and Ohio Veterinarian of the Year in 2014. He also was awarded The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2015.

In addition to his veterinary medical degree, Dr. Knapp holds a master of science degree in animal science from Texas A&M University.

Board of Directors Chair 2026-2027: Dr. Richard Sullivan

Dr. Richard Sullivan, who joined the AVMA Board in 2021 and served as Vice Chair from 2025-2026, grew up in southern Wisconsin on a family dairy farm participating in 4-H and FFA programs through his first years in college. He attended Wisconsin State College, Platteville, for two years and then graduated from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine.

After serving in the Peace Corps in Mato Grosso, Brazil as an extension veterinarian, he settled in Torrance, California. Dr. Sullivan became part-owner of Bay Cities Pet Hospital, an established companion animal practice where he enjoyed working for 40-plus years until his retirement.

Dr. Sullivan has served on the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association’s board of trustees, including as president. He then became a member of the California Veterinary Medical Association’s board of governors, also serving as its president and on numerous committees, including as chair of its legislative and animal welfare committees.

Dr. Sullivan became active in the AVMA by serving on the Judicial Council and the State Advocacy Committee and was on one of the working groups tasked with developing material for the AVMA’s position on telemedicine and telehealth. He was California’s alternate delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates for eight years, then served another eight years as the delegate representing California.

He also has been a member of the California Veterinary Medical Board and its multidisciplinary advisory board.

Board of Directors Vice Chair 2026-2027: Dr. Amanda Bisol

Dr. Amanda Bisol is a small animal rural general practice veterinarian from Skowhegan, ME. She graduated in 2011 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. After six years in practice, she pursued a law degree to become a stronger advocate for veterinarians and graduated from the University of Maine School of Law in 2024.

Dr. Bisol has been active in organized veterinary medicine and legislative lobbying on behalf of the profession since veterinary school. She was her school’s SCAVMA chapter president, participated in the AVMA Government Relations Division’s externship program in Washington, DC, and has continued to advocate for the profession to Congress by participating in AVMA legislative fly-ins and being an AVMA Ambassador.

In her home state, Dr. Bisol served on the board of directors of the Maine Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) from 2016 through 2020. She was also the legislative chair during that time. In 2017, she was awarded the MVMA’s Service Award for the many hours spent on lobbying, rulemaking committees, and continuing education regarding veterinarians’ involvement in Maine’s prescription drug-monitoring program. She received the award again in 2023 for her advocacy for animals and veterinarians in Maine and across the country.

Dr. Bisol became Maine’s alternate delegate in the AVMA House of Delegates in the summer of 2017 and transitioned to delegate in 2019. She was elected to the AVMA House Advisory Committee in the summer of 2019 and to the AVMA Board in 2022.

AVMA Vice President 2026-2028: Dr. Elizabeth K. Boggier

After earning her DVM in 1998 from Tuskegee University, Dr. Elizabeth Boggier worked as an associate veterinarian in New Jersey before opening her own practice, MountainView Veterinary Hospital, in 2008.

She has worn many hats during her veterinary career, including small animal practitioner, clinic owner, mentor, advocate, and educator. In each role, she has been committed to developing and serving the next generation of veterinarians.

Dr. Boggier’s professional advocacy includes active participation in numerous veterinary organizations, reflecting her dedication to advancing veterinary standards and maintaining the profession’s integrity. Before becoming AVMA Vice President, she served as New Jersey’s alternate delegate and then delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates. She also has been active in advocacy work with the AVMA PAC.

As AVMA vice-president, Dr. Boggier says her priorities will include championing veterinary students, promoting mentorship and professional resilience, and supporting One Health, connecting veterinary medicine more deeply with human and environmental health in the classroom and beyond.