AASV introduces new 2003-2004 officers

Orlando ­Dr. Rick Sibbel of Ankeny, Iowa, was recently installed as the president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) at the association's annual meeting here.

He succeeds Dr. Lisa Tokach of Abilene, Kan., who is now immediate pastpresident. Dr. John Waddell of Sutton, Neb. has ascended to president-elect.The newly elected vice president is Dr. Tom Gillespie of Rensselaer, Ind.

The action came at the recently concluded AASV meeting, which includeda total attendance of 796, including 65 veterinary students.

Sibbel, a technical services manager at Schering-Plough Animal Health,says of the appointment, "Assuming the role of president of the AASVis humbling and yet very exciting. Our organization will have a key rolein many issues involving veterinary medicine and veterinary education aswe sort through changing dynamics in society and the role of food animalveterinarians in safeguarding the food supply. This year's agenda is gearedtoward continued delivery on our legacy of balanced, scientifically basedleadership."

Dr. Tom Burkgren, AASV executive director, says, "The presidencyis a key leadership position that requires a special set of skills. Dr.Sibbel has those skills and brings a diverse background necessary for leadingthe association. Throughout his many years of service, Dr. Sibbel has beenan effective advocate for positioning the association as a leader in animalagriculture and for finding solutions to challenges facing the swine industry."

Since beginning his career in industrial veterinary medicine in 1986,Sibbel has helped develop several new animal health vaccines. He is a recognizedleader in the use of vaccines to manage and eradicate swine diseases, servingas an adviser to many state and regional regulatory agencies. From 1979-1986,Sibbel was the co-owner of a veterinary practice in O'Neill, Neb. He iscurrently the chair of the AASV Veterinary Medical Task Force and was programchair for the 2003 AASV annual meeting. Sibbel is a 1979 graduate of IowaState University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Waddell is a food animal practitioner in Sutton, Neb., where he has practicedsince 1981. He is active in many professional veterinary organizations andcurrently is a member of the FDA's Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committeeand chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Steering Committeeon Antimicrobial Resistance. Waddell received a veterinary degree from theUniversity of Illinois in 1981. He received an MBA degree from the Universityof Nebraska-Omaha in 1993.

Gillespie is the owner of a swine specialty practice in Rensselaer, Ind.He is a past member of the association's board of directors and past secretaryfor the AASV Foundation. Gillespie received his veterinary degree in 1979from Purdue University and is a diplomate of the American Board of VeterinaryPractitioners.

The new officers were installed at the association's breakfast meetingon March 11 and will serve one-year terms.

The next meeting for AASV is slated for Des Moines, Iowa, March 6-9,2004.