Purdue SAVMA President Brenda Najar Joins Dean Willie Reed for AAVMC Advocacy Day

March 30, 2018

On the eve of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) annual meeting March 2-4 in Washington, D.C., dozens of veterinary medical educators visited with federal lawmakers as part of “Advocacy Day.”  Among the veterinary school representatives participating were Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s own Dean Willie Reed and Purdue SAVMA president, Brenda Najar, of the DVM Class of 2019.

Each year, the AAVMC organizes “Advocacy Day” in conjunction with its annual conference to encourage attendees to take part in advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill with government and NGO leaders. This year, Brenda delivered 27 letters with real-life stories from Purdue students in each year of the veterinary program to the office of Indiana 4th District Congressman Todd Rokita, urging him to join the Veterinary Medicine Caucus as the congressional representative of Lafayette, Ind., and ultimately work to help lower student debt for veterinary students. “You will hear a common theme discussing the importance of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that strongly affects many of our long-term loan repayment plans,” Brenda wrote in her letter to the congressman.  “You will find disturbing totals of current federal loan debt, including sky-high interest rates between 6 and 8.5 percent, and what that looks like over 20 years. You will read compelling examples of how veterinarians are healthcare superheroes, and ultimately, why the government should be investing in us. I have compiled these stories and given them to you for a better glimpse of the upstanding, role-model citizens of your Lafayette district.”

In addition, Brenda and Dean Reed also paid a visit to United States Senator Joe Donnelly.  Afterword, Brenda said, “I had a wonderful time on Capitol Hill talking to representatives about the changes we’d like to see. It was an honor to speak for my peers.”  A total of 72 educators representing 27 states participated in Advocacy Day, making the trek to Capitol Hill where 138 meetings were held at scores of Congressional offices.

Writer(s): Helen Thimlar, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

PVM Clinical Pathologist Elected to Viticus Group (WVC) Board of Directors

Dr. Craig Thompson, clinical associate professor of clinical pathology in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology, now is a member of the Board of Directors of Viticus Group – formerly WVC. Dr. Thompson was elected to the board when votes were cast in the board election held in conjunction with the 2026 WVC Annual Conference (formally known as the Western Veterinary Conference) earlier this month in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we are pleased to share a colleague’s words of appreciation for Dr. Erin Paul-Stewart, who is a medical oncology resident in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

Veterinary Boilermakers on the Road: Purdue Veterinary Alumni Reconnect and Celebrate at National Conferences

The veterinary profession is built on lifelong learning, meaningful connections, and a shared commitment to animal and human health. This winter, those values were on full display as Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine alumni, faculty, students and friends gathered at two of the profession’s premier events—the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, Florida, and the Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The GOAT Named Oreo Captures Attention for PVM at Annual Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry

Purdue Veterinary Medicine joined in the festivities as the annual Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry earlier this month celebrated alumni and friends who have shaped Purdue Agriculture's legacy and will help define its future. In particular, this year’s event on February 7 at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds provided an opportunity to highlight the longstanding partnership between the College of Agriculture and College of Veterinary Medicine.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we’re giving a big high-five to Micah Black, who is a veterinary nursing assistant in Large Animal Surgery.

Research accomplishments of CPB’s Uma Aryal featured in ASBMB Today Article

A recently published article in ASBMB Today, the member magazine of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, details groundbreaking research led by Uma K. Aryal, research associate professor in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology.

PVM Associate Dean S. Kathleen Salisbury Receives IVMA President’s Award

Dr. S. Kathleen Salisbury, Purdue Veterinary Medicine associate dean for academic affairs, was honored recently by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association as the recipient of the association’s annual President’s Award.

Three PVM Alumni Receive IVMA Awards for Achievements and Volunteering

The Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) honored three Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumni with awards for significant achievements and volunteering during the association’s recent Crossroads Veterinary Conference. The awards were presented January 30 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Noblesville, Indiana.

In Memory – Dr. Thomas A. Bryan, Retired Purdue Avian Diagnostician

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community mourns the passing of a dedicated poultry veterinarian and esteemed avian diagnostician, Dr. Thomas A. Bryan.