At the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) annual convention in Washington, DC, this month, Dr. James O. Cook was elected president-elect for 2007-2008 and began preparing himself for the presidency of the association, which will begin in New Orleans, La., in July, 2008.
Dr. Cook just completed a six-year term on the AVMA Executive Board, representing Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, and served as chair of the executive board from July 2006 to July 2007. Dr. Cook has owned a mixed animal practice in Lebanon, Ky., since 1977.
Dr. Cook was nominated for the AVMA presidency by the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) and speaks on the importance of education and also on the AVMA’s One Health Initiative that began with Dr. Roger K. Mahr, the immediate AVMA past president (2006-2007). The AVMA’s One Health Initiative has also been embraced by the American Medical Association.
“”Emerging diseases and bioterrorism in the current global environment have highlighted the need for one medicine,”” Dr. Cook said. “”The convergence of human, animal and ecosystem health will improve the surveillance of zoonotic disease risks. The rapid detection of these disease threats will allow faster reporting to public health authorities, like local and state health departments, along with responsible federal agencies. The collaboration between the 24 veterinary schools and the 140 medical schools in the United States will increase the development of diagnostics, drugs and vaccines across previous barriers.””
Dr. Cook is a past president of the KVMA, he received their Distinguished Service Award in 2002 and was named Kentucky Veterinarian of the Year in 1988. He represented Kentucky in the AVMA House of Delegates from 1996 until 2001, when he was elected to represent District V—Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia-on the AVMA Executive Board. Dr. Cook has also served Executive Board vice-chair from July 2005 to July 2006. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky before entering veterinary college and earned his DVM degree from Auburn University in 1976.