Michael Q. Bailey, DVM, DACVR: The AVMA’s first Black president

In 1863, 40 veterinary surgeons representing New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, and Delaware met in New York, New York. Prompted by correspondence among practitioners, they founded the United States Veterinary Medical Association. In 1898, the organization was renamed the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Throughout its history, the AVMA has reached several milestones. It began with Josiah H. Stickney as its first president; nearly 100 years later, in 1996, Mary Beth Leininger, DVM, became its first woman president. Now, Michael Q. Bailey, DVM, DACVR, the 2025-2026 president, also makes history as the association’s first Black president.¹

“It's something which you have in your mind. What are you going to do if this ball you've been chasing, you catch, and you suddenly find out it's a cannonball? It's not a tennis ball. But yeah, a lot of things went through my [mind, like] how can I present myself so that I am welcomed in as many places as possible? And I'm saying that not just in the US, but remember that we have close relationships with Mexico, very close relationships with Canada, as well as other countries. And people don't realize that the [AVMA] president does a fair amount of international traveling, and it's not so that we can improve our tan,” Bailey told dvm360 in an interview recently when asked what it felt like when he learned he was going to be the next AVMA president.

“It's so that we can keep those open doors to our colleagues in those other countries. And it's amazing, the things that we learn by sitting in meetings, by talking to other people, and that's part of it. They are also learning how to make at least mental notes so you can go back to your room afterward and say, ‘Boy, did I learn a lot today.’ So it's been a full learning experience, which you can tell. I'm not a spring chicken, but it's good to still be learning,” he continued.

Born in Queens, New York, and raised in Hopewell, New Jersey, Bailey attended Rutgers University’s former College of Agriculture and Environmental Science in New Jersey for his undergraduate studies. He then attended Tuskegee University in Alabama, where he earned his DVM. Bailey subsequently completed a comprehensive internship and radiology residency at Michigan State University (MSU). His academic career came full circle as he served on the faculty of 2 of his alma maters—Tuskegee and MSU—and achieved tenure at The Ohio State University.

Bailey’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. As a radiologist, he has connected with professionals around the globe to share his knowledge, contributing significantly to both veterinary and human medical literature. He pioneered Ohio’s inaugural private practice advanced veterinary CT imaging services and launched a referral and emergency imaging practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Currently, he serves as the director of medical innovations in telemedicine for a global consulting business.

Bailey also has a long history of involvement in organized veterinary medicine. He participated in the American Association for the Advancement of Science/AVMA Congressional Fellowship, working full-time as a scientific legislative adviser in a congressional office to learn the inner workings of Capitol Hill. In this role, he provided lawmakers with scientific expertise to help inform and shape legislation. His leadership spans both state and national levels, including serving as president of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association and completing a 6-year term on the AVMA Board of Directors representing District 2. For those interested in learning more about participating in organized medicine, Bailey had this advice.

“Get involved at the local level, because local VMAs are the heart of the profession. Then, once you're involved at the local level, you can also look for committees and councils at the AVMA. There are always open positions. So you would, in many cases, ask for your local VMA to recommend you. By being involved with the local VMA, that also gives you an in, so you'll get that recommendation,” he said. “I would start off by being involved at the local level, and that gives you an idea of what it's all about—you know, small bites sometimes—and that will help you see what other positions are available at the national and even international level, because we do have committees and councils that are available…working internationally.”

Today, Bailey stands as a pivotal figure at the AVMA and a landmark part of the history of veterinary medicine. “I think that there are a lot of individuals out there, including veterinarians, but just in general, who do not realize the diversity of veterinarians. And when I say diversity, I mean culturally, ethnically, as well as intellectually. There’s nothing we can’t do, unless we’re not given the chance to try,” Bailey said in an interview with dvm360.²

References

1. Michael Q. Bailey, DVM, DACVR. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed January 7, 2026. https://www.avma.org/about/avma-board-of-directors/michael-q-bailey-dvm-dacvr
2. McCafferty C. Harness the potential of veterinary professionals. dvm360. August 24, 2024. Accessed January 7, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/harness-the-potential-
   of-veterinary-professionals