AVMA Congressional Science Fellows assume posts in Senate

Washington

-- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Congressional Science Fellows have accepted positions on Capitol Hill, serving in capacities that coincide with their interests and enabling them to provide expertise to Congress, all while serving the veterinary profession.

Dr. Gail Hansen accepted a position in the office of Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt. Hansen is working on the national cancer registry, health-care reform and antibiotic resistance. Dr. Whitney Miller is working on the Senate Homeland Security Committee and focusing on bio-security and emergency medical preparedness issues.

Hansen, who received her DVM degree from the University of Minnesota and a master's in public health from the University of Washington, holds an adjunct faculty position at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and works with the public health programs at both KSU and the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Miller received her DVM degree and her master's in business administration from Colorado State University and has experience in food safety, foreign animal disease diagnosis and control, the drug approval process and various aspects of creating, implementing and interpreting policy.

AVMA fellows provide science-based knowledge and information to the public policy-making process. Fellows spend one year in Washington and receive a stipend, plus other reimbursable expenses.