Dr. Lori Teller, chair of the AVMA Board of Directors, won the race for 2021-22 AVMA president-elect Friday after a vote by the AVMA House of Delegates. She defeated former AVMA vice president Dr. Grace Bransford in the first women-only race for the office in the Association’s 158-year history.
Later, during the candidates’ introductory portion of the HOD’s regular annual session, Dr. Bransford announced she was running for 2022-23 AVMA president-elect. She will challenge former AVMA Board Chair Dr. Rena Carlson for the office.
Three women have previously ascended to the office of AVMA president, starting with Dr. Mary Beth Leininger in 1996. Dr. Bonnie Beaver was next in 2004, followed by Dr. René Carlson in 2011. Since then, two women have run unsuccessfully for the AVMA presidency: Drs. Jan Strother in 2015 and Angela Demaree in 2017.
In her acceptance speech to the HOD, Dr. Teller stood with husband and high school sweetheart Craig Teller, MD, a dermatologist. “A giant shout-out to all of you for electing me as your next AVMA president-elect,” Dr. Teller said. “I cannot tell you how humbled and thrilled I am to serve you in this role.
“There are many issues that our profession is grappling with. I stand ready to work with you, the Board, and staff to address these issues.”
Dr. Teller is a clinical associate professor of telehealth at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, from which she graduated in 1990.
A board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in canine and feline practice, Dr. Teller practiced for several years at Meyerland Animal Clinic in Houston until joining the faculty at TAMU in 2018. She was a founding board member of the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative.
For several years, Dr. Teller has been involved in organized veterinary medicine at the local, state, and national levels. She has served in the AVMA House of Delegates and on several committees and task forces, including the Animal Welfare Committee and as chair of the State Advocacy Committee. On the AVMA Board of Directors, Dr. Teller is the outgoing chair and District VIII representative.
She will spend the coming year as AVMA president-elect and, next summer, will succeed Dr. José Arce as AVMA president.
Source: AVMA