(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) August 5, 2015 – Dr. Thomas F. Meyer has been named president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Meyer, who was elected to the post by the AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) at its summer session on July 10, succeeds Dr. Joseph H. Kinnarney, who has officially assumed his role as AVMA president.
Dr. Thomas F. Meyer
“Over time, veterinary professionals have created better solutions to meet the changing needs of society. We need to continue our good work in developing new technologies to detect, prevent and treat diseases in animals and people. It is also important that we increase awareness of the other ways veterinary professionals play a critical role in our society. For instance, the public may be less familiar with the role veterinarians play in inspecting food for harmful bacteria, monitoring lakes and rivers to keep water safe to drink, discovering ways to restore and protect endangered species, and delivering public health programs around the world,” said Meyer.
“As the profession continues to evolve, I am committed to preserving the trust that the public has placed in us, as veterinary professionals, to care for their health and the health of their animals,” he added. “As president-elect, I look forward to helping the AVMA advance its mission of advocating for its members and advancing the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal and human health.”
Meyer and his wife are co-owners of a mixed-animal practice in Vancouver, Wash., which is certified by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Shortly after graduating from Washington State University (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, he established Mountain View Veterinary Hospital, which employs five associate veterinarians.
He has served organized veterinary medicine in many capacities, including leadership positions at the local, state and national levels. Meyer served on the AVMA Board of Directors from 2008-2014, and as its chair from 2013-2014. He is a past chair of the AVMA House Advisory Committee and also previously represented private practice-predominately equine on this committee. He served in the AVMA House of Delegates as a delegate or alternate delegate for 20 years and is a past president of the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association, where he was honored as its Veterinarian of the Year in 2004. He also was chair of the Washington-Oregon-Idaho Steering Committee and was the equine representative on the AVMA Clinical Practitioners Advisory Committee. Meyer’s interest in leadership development led him to be an advocate for the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Experience, an experiential leadership program for students and faculty from across North America that teaches life skills in better communication and collaboration with one another.
“Through his many years of experience as a mixed-animal practitioner, Dr. Meyer has a strong understanding of veterinary medicine from many perspectives,” said AVMA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ron DeHaven. “He has demonstrated his commitment to advancing the profession and providing quality, veterinary care to improve animal and human health. Dr. Meyer is a compassionate individual whose management, decision making and communication skills will be a tremendous asset to the AVMA as we work to address important issues in veterinary medicine now and into the future.”
Meyer has been an active member of the Washington Veterinary Medical Association, the AAHA, the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. He is a past recipient of the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Veterinary Alumni Award for Excellence in Practice (2010). Meyer received his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from WSU, where he previously completed a master’s degree in zoology, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Central Washington State College.
For more information, please contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations specialist, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell) or msanfilippo@avma.org.
# # #