GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As a child in Peru, Dr. Jorge Guerrero, DVM, PhD, never imagined the life and accomplishments veterinary medicine would afford him. Ushered in as the 2007-2008 NAVC President during the January 2007 NAVC Conference, Guerrero is the first Latin American or Hispanic President in NAVC’s 25 year history.
“I am so honored to head this organization,” Guerrero said. “I have participated at the annual NAVC Conference as a moderator, speaker, exhibitor and member of the board, but to be elected president as NAVC turns 25, is an overwhelming honor.” After receiving his veterinary degree from the University of San Marcos in Lima, Peru in 1965, Dr. Guerrero attended the University of Illinois where he completed his MSc and PhD degrees. Currently Dr. Guerrero is an Adjunct Professor of Veterinary Parasitology in the Department of Pathobiology at the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a Diplomate of the European Veterinary Parasitology College and Chairman of the Scientific Program Committee of the American Heartworm Society.
Dr. Jorge Guerrero
Professionally, Dr. Guerrero spent almost 30 years with Johnson and Johnson and Merck and Co. Inc, retiring as the Executive Director for Veterinary Professional Services for the North American Operations of Merial, Inc. In 2005, Dr. Guerrero was the recipient of the Distinguished Veterinary Parasitologist Award from the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists.
“Dr. Guerrero’s leadership and experience has played a key role as an NAVC board member and will be evident this year in office,” said NAVC Executive Director Dr. Colin F. Burrows, BVetMed, PhD, MRCVS, Diplomate ACVIM. “As Dr. Guerrero succeeds our first international President, Dr. Philippe Moreau from France, NAVC is proving there are no boundaries to veterinary continuing education.”
“I have been blessed with a multitude of opportunities as a veterinarian,” Guerrero said, “but for me, this is a crowning moment in my career and a demonstration that anything is possible in the USA.”