Dr. Michael Lent, a Purdue graduate in the DVM Class of 1991, has been elected as a new member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Board of Directors. He will become the third Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumnus to serve on the current board, joining Dr. Jim Weisman (PU DVM ’97) who was elected last year as the District VI director, representing Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and Dr. Richard Sullivan (PU DVM ’72), who serves as the District X director, representing California, Hawaii and Nevada.
Dr. Lent is a small animal practitioner at Pantano Animal Clinic in Tucson, Arizona. He will serve as the District IX director, representing Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Utah.
Dr. Lent grew up in northern New Jersey and graduated from Bowdoin College, a private liberal arts college in Maine, as a biochemistry major. After earning his DVM degree at Purdue, Dr. Lent practiced small animal medicine for five years in Indianapolis for Dr. Mike Thomas before buying the Pantano Animal Clinic with his business partner, Dr. Jack Quick, from its original owner. Drs. Lent and Quick owned the practice for 20 years before selling it in 2016 to a private company, Lakefield Veterinary Group. Dr. Lent continues to work for the clinic as the medical director.
No stranger to organized veterinary medicine, Dr. Lent’s involvement with veterinary medical associations dates back to his days as a Purdue veterinary student when he initially got involved in what was then called the Student Chapter of the AVMA (now named Purdue SAVMA), serving as the chapter president. Since then, he has served as president of the Arizona and Southern Arizona VMAs and as a member of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. In 2019, he became a member of the AVMA House of Delegates, serving as Arizona’s alternate delegate and then delegate.
Dr. Lent also is a charter member of the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Southern Arizona, which was established in 1998, assisting law enforcement with investigations and educating the public about the link between animal abuse and human violence, especially domestic violence and child abuse. In addition, Dr. Lent’s record of service includes charity veterinary work in Nicaragua with World Vets, and serving on the Advisory Board of the National Association for Black Veterinarians. He also has engaged with his alma mater’s efforts to advance diversity in the veterinary medical profession. He completed the Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine Certificate program and joined the college’s League of VetaHumanz, which is an alliance of veterinary “superheroes” in academia, practice, research, government, and industry who are committed to engaging with under-resourced communities to provide access and support for youth who aspire to careers in the veterinary profession. Click here to view Dr. Lent’s VetaHumanz page.
“I’ve found involvement in organized veterinary medicine has helped me grow as a person and veterinarian by serving and representing others,” Dr. Lent said. “I’ve been very fortunate to make some lifelong friends and mentors, and always felt like I got back more than I gave from the experiences. I’ve been challenged to see issues from many different perspectives and learned a great deal about aspects of the profession I love, which I otherwise would have not been exposed to. I also feel the most kinship and connection with my colleagues in the profession when I’m involved in something bigger than us as individuals.”
Dr. Lent and his wife, Dr. Stacey Lent, live on five acres adjacent to Saguaro National Park East, and have three dogs along with chickens and Pygmy goats.
Dr. Lent is one of two newly-elected AVMA Board members. The other is Dr. Carol Ryan, a mixed animal practitioner and partner owner of the Tory and Wentzville Veterinary Clinics in Missouri. As the new District VII director, Dr. Ryan will represent AVMA members in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Drs. Lent and Ryan were declared elected earlier this month after running unopposed for the two open seats on the board. They will begin their six-year board terms in June during the 2024 AVMA Convention in Austin, Texas, and will serve until 2030. Click here to learn more about AVMA’s newest members of its Board of Directors.