Texas A&M Professor Selected as AAVMC 2016 Public Policy Faculty Fellows Participant
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM) announced the selection of Dr. Jeffrey Musser, clinical professor in the Veterinary Pathobiology department, as a participant in the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges’ (AAVMC) 2016 Public Policy Faculty Fellows.
The AAVMC launched the faculty fellows program in 2015 to bring faculty representatives from member institutions to Washington D.C. to develop leadership skills in the advocacy arena, explore the implications of public policy decisions on the profession and gain overall knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process at the federal level.
Joining Musser is Dr. Marcy Souza from the University of Tennessee. A release from the AAVMC noted Musser and Souza were “chosen based on their demonstrated and potential leadership in advocacy and government.”
This will be the second fellowship of Musser’s academic career, having also served as a livestock advisor in a science, engineering, and diplomacy fellowship with the U.S. Agency for International Development through the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Musser earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Frostburg State College, a doctorate in pharmacology from North Carolina State University and a DVM from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He conducted his residency in large animal medicine at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and is a diplomate in the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.
“As an ABVP Dairy Diplomate, I have special interests in issues regarding antibiotic regulations and increasing microbial resistance, foreign animal disease preparedness, and the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program,” Dr. Musser wrote in his application. He added that participating in the fellowship will enable him “to bring greater awareness to our colleagues and the general public on the importance of veterinary medical education in research, public health, animal health and welfare, food safety, and our overall economy.”
The role of veterinarians in public health and national security increases every year. As leaders in the concept of “One Health,” veterinarians protect national borders from emerging foreign animal diseases, work within industry to ensure the safety of the national food supply, and serve the veterinary profession by advocating for policies that will support the growing need to attract new students to be the next generation of veterinary professionals.
“Dr. Jeffrey Musser has a distinguished history of representing the veterinary profession on an international level through the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the U. S. Agency for International Development, ” said Dr. Eleanor M. Green, the Carl B. King dean of veterinary medicine. “The skills he will develop through this fellowship will enable him to continue bringing greater awareness of the importance of veterinary medical education to the quality of health for humans, animals, and the environment. His proven leadership in public policy and advocacy will give veterinary medicine a strong voice in government and will ensure the interests of practicing veterinarians and veterinary educational institutions will be well represented. We congratulate Dr. Musser on this outstanding honor.”
“I look forward to working with the new fellows,” said AAVMC Director of Governmental Affairs Kevin Cain. “Last year’s inaugural fellow participants found the fellowships to be life enriching. They’re now able to use their knowledge and experience to work as leaders in advocacy and public policy at their home institutions. That’s our goal. We want to bolster the influence of veterinary medicine in the governmental arena and to help develop leaders who will be strong voices for veterinary medicine now and in the future.”
