American Association of Equine Practitioners – November 29-December 3, 2023

Event

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) held its 69th annual convention from November 29-December 3, 2023, in San Diego.

Program

The convention offered equine practitioners solutions for everyday practice with an added emphasis on sustainability of the profession. The event drew more than 4,700 attendees, including veterinarians, veterinary students, and exhibitors. The convention also offered a virtual option via on-demand access to recorded educational sessions. The Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture was delivered by Dr. Patrick M. McCue, professor of equine theriogenology at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Dr. McCue's lecture was titled, "Historical Perspectives in Equine Reproduction: Pioneers in the Age of Discovery."

Awards

Distinguished Educator–Academic Award

Dr. Michelle Barton (Illinois '85), Colbert, Georgia. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Barton is assistant dean of clinical academic affairs at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. She also holds the Fuller E. Callaway Endowed Chair and serves as a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor. Dr. Barton was recognized for her training of veterinary students, interns, and residents, and for her research on equine endotoxemia and clinical expertise in equine liver disorders.

Distinguished Educator–Mentor Award

Dr. Ryland Edwards (Georgia '90), Newtown, Connecticut. Dr. Edwards is a partner and hospital director at Fairfield Equine Associates in Newtown. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, he was honored for his training and mentoring of more than 50 interns and residents as well as his advocacy for current and aspiring equine practitioners.

Distinguished Life Member

Dr. Kenton Morgan (Missouri '83), Faucett, Missouri. Dr. Morgan served as managing veterinarian of equine technical services at Zoetis prior to retirement in 2023. He is a past member of the AAEP board of directors, a past chair of the AAEP Professional Conduct & Ethics Committee and former AAEP Biological and Therapeutic Agents Committee, and has served on the AAEP Member Engagement and Nominating committees. Dr. Morgan has also served on the AAEP External Parasite and Vector Control Guidelines Task Force and AAEP Stem Cell Task Force. He was honored for his legacy of volunteer leadership and assistance to the AAEP.

Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Julie Wilson (Cornell '78), Stillwater, Minnesota. Dr. Wilson is executive director of the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine and a partner at Turner Wilson Equine Consulting in Stillwater. She is a past member of the AAEP board of directors, a past chair of the former AAEP International Committee, a past member of the AAEP Welfare and Public Policy Advisory Council and what is now known as the AAEP Foundation Development Council, and has served on several AAEP committees. Dr. Wilson was honored for her three decades of volunteer service to the AAEP as well as her contributions to working equid welfare as a co-founder and past president of the Equitarian Initiative and a co-founder of the annual Equitarian Workshop.

Business

An educational session and four roundtable discussions focused on the progress of the AAEP's Commission on Equine Veterinary Sustainability. The resources produced by the commission's subcommittees were distributed to attendees to help improve practice culture, compensation, emergency coverage, and internships. Several of the AAEP's councils and committees shared work reports. The Foundation for the Horse awarded $535,000 in scholarships to 29 veterinary students and one graduate research assistant, including the 2023 Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarships of $75,000 each to four veterinary students.

Officials

Drs. Katherine Garrett, Lexington, Kentucky, president; Tracy Turner, Stillwater, Minnesota, president-elect; Sarah Reuss, Littleton, Colorado, vice president; Mitchell Rode, Berryville, Virginia, treasurer; and Rob Franklin, Fredericksburg, Texas, immediate past president