A New Generation of Leaders

At the 2020 Virtual AVMA Convention, the SAVMA House of Delegates elected new delegates to the remaining positions on the National SAVMA Executive Board.  Originating from veterinary schools across the country and beyond, these students truly embody what it means to be better together. They are incredibly passionate about the bright future of veterinary medicine and serving the veterinary student community on a national level.  The purpose of the National SAVMA Executive Board is to listen to YOU, veterinary students – your experiences, ideas, concerns, and questions – and in combination with the AVMA, advocate for real change in the field of veterinary medicine.  Please join me in welcoming the newest faces of SAVMA!

Top Row, Left to Right:

Pallavi Oruganti (Cultural Outreach Officer-Elect), Sarah Delmotte (Editor in Chief-Elect), Hidayah Martinez Jaka (President-Elect), Tyler McMurray (Veterinary Economics Officer-Elect), Jonathan Dumas (Chapter President Representative-Elect)

Bottom Row, Left to Right:

Ilissa Chasnick (Treasurer-Elect), Ashley Miller (Global and Public Health Officer-Elect), Laci Taylor (International Exchange Officer-Elect), Brooke MacNeill (Secretary-Elect), Hanna Netisingha (Communications and Public Relations Officer-Elect)

Contact information for each official listed above can be found here with your student AVMA login.

IVSA Symposium and Congress

IVSA Symposium and Congress Travel Grants
SAVMA's International Veterinary Experience Committee

IVEC is offering one travel grant valued at $2500 USD per event (a total of $5000) for a student to attend the 67th IVSASymposium in Seoul, South Korea on January 14-22, 2019 and the IVSA Congress in Croatia on July 21 - August 2, 2019

*IVSA - International Veterinary Students' Association

The position is open to all SAVMA members. In order to apply for this scholarship, you must have already applied to and have been accepted as a delegate to attend the 67th IVSA Symposium in South Korea*.

*Applications for the 67th IVSA Symposium Seoul, South Korea are OPEN until September 14th! Join us in Seoul January 14-22, 2019 with 150 veterinary student delegates from around the entire world for cultural immersion, discussion of hot topics within our field, and lots and lots of dancing. Applications are due (mind the time difference!), so apply now as an IVSA SAVMA delegate! Click here.

This is a fantastic opportunity to represent SAVMA and your veterinary school at an international event.  You will receive the opportunity to explore an international vet school, learn about international medicine, an experience some unique cultural events associated with the hosting country.  
Deadline for the travel grant application is September 20, 2018 and click HERE to apply! Remember you must have been accepted as an IVSA delegate first. The link is in the above section.

If you have any questions, please email SAVMAIEO@gmail.com or ivecscholarships@gmail.com

Another Symposium Experience

It is not too early to start thinking about SAVMA Symposium 2019. It will be held at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia March 9-11th. Click here for more details.

Angela Macchia from Ross University shares her experience at SAVMA Symposium 2018 at UPenn.

I am a student at Ross, down in St. Kitts, which means we go to school all year round and have very limited resources to get experience and go to conferences during the year. Last semester I had the opportunity to take a short break and go to Philadelphia and go to the SAVMA Symposium. This was one of the best experiences I have ever had.

The first day I was there I was able to go to the zoo and go on a tour of the veterinary clinic there. I have never been on the veterinary side of a zoo and it was such an amazing experience to see how they function and how they deal with such large animals. The rest of the symposium I was able to attend lectures and wet labs as well as network with the other students, professors, and companies that were there. I met students from all over, and doctors from all over. I was able to dabble in topics that I never knew interested me or jobs that I would have never looked into if I hadn’t gone to the symposium. I met such amazing people and future colleagues. I was able to attend lectures on debt, and about topics I was interested in, such as equine medicine.

While walking around the hall there were many companies that had programs to study for the NAVLE and instruments/ resources we might need when we are out in practice. I also was involved in a few wet labs, there were wet labs in New Bolton, on campus and at the hotel. They really tried to cater to everyone’s interest, from large animal to small to exotics. I was able to attend a laceration repair wet lab, and it was so nice to work with the interns from New Bolton and practice my suturing techniques! It was an amazing experience to have and so worth the few days I missed at school. I would recommend any student to make sure they get out to a conference or symposium while they are in school, so they can network and meet other students!

AVMA Convention

At the recent AVMA Convention held in Denver, Colorado SAVMA student leaders from all over the country and beyond met to discuss veterinary student issues. One of the biggest topics discussed by SAVMA presidents and delegates was collaboration; collaboration with each other, other clubs, and other schools. These types of collaboration can successfully help benefits reach more students.

There is another year of ALL for Students funding. This money goes towards supporting all SAVMA chapters in Professional Development, Community Outreach, Leadership and Wellness activities. A huge thank you to our sponsors American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA PLIT, AVMA Life and SAVMA.  

Meet the Executive Board

Meet your new SAVMA Executive Board officers

Starting from the top left and snaking down

International Exchange Officer-Elect: Perry Koehler (Cornell University)
Immediate Past President: Jeff Olivarez (Oklahoma State University)
Chapter President Representative: Aaron Judson (Tuskegee University)
Treasurer: Ashika Seshadri (St. George's University)
Veterinary Economics Officer-Elect: Katelyn Behm (Ross University)
Editor in Chief: Kyndel Lann (Midwestern University)
Secretary: Whitney Patz (Lincoln Memorial University)
Global and Public Health Officer-Elect: Sarah Marnin (Iowa State)
President-Elect: Kyre Larrabee (Oklahoma State University)
Global and Public Health Officer: Allison Siu (Auburn University)
Cultural Outreach Officer: Stephie-Anne Duliepre (Cornell University)
International Exchange Officer: Kayla Caturay (Ross University)
President: Sarah Neuser (University of Minnesota)
Veteriary Economics Officer: Taylor DeWitt (Purdue University)

Not pictured:

Communications and Public Health Officer: Abbey Sharp (University of Missouri)
Communications and Public Health Officer-Elect: Kimberly Koenig (Washington State)
Chapter President Representative-Elect: Jonathan Tubbs (Auburn University)

These students represent veterinary students on a national basis and are here to voice your thoughts and concerns. Please, reach out to your local SAVMA chapter officers for regular updates or concerns. Check your email for the monthly SAVMANews for all the available opportunites SAVMA has to offer you.