Ben Rogers “Externs on the Hill”

This summer, I swapped my farm boots for a suit as an extern with the American

Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Government Relations Division in Washington,

DC. As a veterinary student whose professional interests align with swine production,

my immersive experience in the AVMA externship has deepened my appreciation for

public policy and advocacy. Veterinarians must have a “seat at the table” when policy

decisions are made that shape our profession and the lives of those we serve.

I’ve long understood the critical role of advocacy for veterinarians, livestock producers,

and the consumers who depend on us daily for safe, high-quality protein. My previous

summers in veterinary school were spent immersed in hands-on swine production

medicine and research across Midwest swine systems. That work with pork producers

remains my driving force. This summer, I purposefully sought out this externship with

the intention of gaining a better understanding of how federal policies are crafted, how

they ultimately affect a veterinarian’s ability to support livestock producers, and to

explore the breadth of career paths available to veterinarians.

The AVMA externship has opened doors to meaningful networking. I have connected

with veterinarians working in federal government as well as legislative and policy

development, most notably at the U.S. Senate, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Public

Health Services, Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, and

Health and Human Services. This experience has delivered on my intended purpose of

exploring career paths that blend swine production expertise with public policy. I

continue to build relationships with key livestock industry groups like the National Pork

Producer’s Council and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, food manufacturers

such as Tyson Foods, and other stakeholders including Ducks Unlimited, the American

Sugar Alliance, and the U.S. Rice Producers Association.

A true highlight of this experience was collaborating with the exceptional AVMA staff.

Their tireless advocacy on behalf of our profession is inspiring, and it was an honor to

contribute to their work. Together, we attended events to network with members of

Congress and joined Capitol Hill meetings to discuss legislation vital to the practice of

veterinary medicine.

Particularly timely were conversations around preserving veterinary access to the

animal sedative xylazine, along with efforts to recruit and retain veterinarians in rural

and underserved communities. These bills carry special weight for our profession right

now, especially as we confront challenges like the reemergence of New World

screwworm in South Texas. I also continue to sharpen my research and writing skills by

drafting executive summaries on bills affecting veterinary medicine for AVMA’s

advocacy team.

The AVMA externship has strengthened my grasp of the legislative processes and

coalition-building skills, which every veterinary student should develop. This experience

has shown me how veterinarians can effectively influence public policy and how real-

world experiences in swine production medicine can add a powerful perspective to that

advocacy work.

Heading into my final two years of veterinary school, I’m reminded of the many doors

my DVM opens, including opportunities to pivot and explore new directions that exist at

every stage of a career. It’s never too late to gain fresh experiences. I’m energized to

carry the connections and insights from this summer into practice as a swine

veterinarian while viewing production and clinical knowledge through the lens of policy

and advocacy.

To any veterinary student reading this article who is hesitant about stepping into

veterinary policy and advocacy: just do it. You never know where the experience will

lead, but the AVMA externship experience will certainly deliver outstanding

opportunities and a broader worldview of the impact of our profession.