Veterinary cardiologist named president of the American Heartworm Society

The American Heartworm Society (AHS) has elected a veterinary cardiologist to serve as its new president. Marisa Ames, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), associate professor of cardiology at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, was elected during the 2025 Triennial Heartworm Symposium in Fort Worth, Texas. Ames is the second veterinary cardiologist in AHS history to serve as the organization’s president.¹

Ames is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbus. She completed internships at Michigan State University in East Lansing and Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, as well as a cardiology residency and post-doctoral fellowship at NC State. She has served on the AHS board of directors since 2016 and was program co-chair of the AHS Triennial Heartworm Symposia held in 2019, 2022 and 2025.

During Ames’ leadership term, AHS will be prioritizing several key efforts during Ames leadership term. These priorities include enlisting clinic participation in the AHS Heartworm Incidence Survey that will be conducted in early 2026; and providing further insights and guidance for veterinary professionals on feline heartworm disease.

“Heartworm disease continues to be a serious challenge for the veterinary industry and the pet-owning public, despite advances in heartworm management protocols and product investments by the veterinary industry,” Ames said in a news release. “Given the prevalence of heartworm disease, it’s important that researchers continue to identify new drugs and find ways to repurpose existing ones for heartworm prevention and treatment.”

Ames succeeds immediate past president Jennifer Rizzo, DVM, founder of the IntroVet continuing education provider for veterinary professionals. Rizzo will continue to serve on the AHS leadership team, according to the organization.

Additional AHS officers newly elected for the 2025-28 term are as follows^1,2:

• Vice president Lisa Young, DVM, clinical leader in pet health parasiticides at Elanco Animal Health, based in Indianapolis, Indiana
• Secretary/treasurer Uri Donnett, DVM, MS, DABVP (Shelter Medicine), lead veterinarian at the Dane County Humane Society in Madison, Wisconsin
• Editor Lindsay Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), associate professor of parasitology at the Oklahoma State University School of Veterinary Medicine in Stillwater
• Research chair Tom Nelson, DVM, medical director at the VCA Animal Medical Center of Northeast Alabama in Anniston
• Symposium program chair Andrew Moorhead, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), associate professor at the North Carolina State University (NC State) College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh

Furthermore, 4 new members of the board of directors were elected at the symposium, while 3 previous members have rotated off the board. New board members include entomologist Lyric Bartholomay, PhD, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; veterinary practitioners Autumn Brehm, DVM, medical director at Rowland Veterinary Services in New Tazewell, Tennessee; Cindy Culpepper, DVM, owner of Paws and Claws Animal Medical Center in Dunedin, Florida; and Julie Parks, DVM, a relief veterinarian from Long Beach, Mississippi; as well as veterinary technician representative Julie Legred, AAS, CVT, co-founder of Veterinary Advancements and veterinary education program manager for Edcetera, from Bricelyn, Minnesota.^1,2 Members rotating off the board included Chris Duke, DVM, co-owner of Bienville Animal Medical Center in Ocean Springs, Mississippi; Elizabeth Clyde, DVM, owner of Clyde’s Animal Clinic in Mattoon, Illinois; and Angele Bice, DVM, owner of Summerville Pet Clinic in South Carolina.

References

1. American Heartworm Association announces new leadership, priorities. News release. American Heartworm Association. November 12, 2025.
2. Officers. American Heartworm Society. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.heartwormsociety.org/about/executive-board