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.

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. 

Meet the Executive Board: Chase Crawford

This post is part of a series made to introduce you to your SAVMA Executive Board. They were elected by their fellow delegates and are here to serve you. Read on for a spotlight on the Information Technology Officer!

Name, Position on EB: Chase Crawford, Information Technology Officer (ITO)

School and Year: Texas A&M University Class of 2014

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Your area of interest within veterinary medicine:  International opportunities, Public Health, Epidemiology, Infectious disease, Ophthalmology, Organized veterinary medicine. 

Description of what your office entails: The ITO works in conjunction with the Vet Gazette editor to develop the web presence of SAVMA through its Facebook page and website. Additionally, the ITO works with the SAVMA House of Delegates and its committees to ensure all necessary information is distributed in a timely manner. The ITO is also responsible for taking photographs during the SAVMA HOD and SCAVMA President’s meetings.

Your favorite thing about holding that office: I have a reason to use my Photoshop skills!

 Something exciting that your office is doing/has done for vet students this past year: The ITO has been working hard to increase the online presence of SAVMA. We have come a long way and are excited to build on this momentum.

Your favorite SAVMA related experience thus far (EB or not): The best part about SAVMA is getting to meet and work with colleagues from other schools that I may not have ever known otherwise. There are some truly amazing people representing their schools in the SAVMA House of Delegates. 

Something fun about yourself: I am doing a 3 month externship at the FAO headquarters in Italy!

Meet the Executive Board: Ricci Karkula

This post is part of series made to highlight the members of your SAVMA Executive Board. They were originally members of the House of Delegates, and were then elected by their fellow delegates to serve you on the board.

Name, Position on EB: Ricci Karkula, President-elect

School and Year: Texas A&M University, c/o 2015

Hometown: Sanger, California

Your area of interest within veterinary medicine: Equine Sports Medicine

Description of what your office entails: Hanging out with Elise, the SAVMA President, to learn the ropes of the presidential position and representing the members of SAVMA.

Your favorite thing about holding that office: Having the opportunity to represent the thoughts and opinions of the veterinary student body.

Your favorite SAVMA related experience thus far (EB or not): Meeting new people from other veterinary schools.

Something fun about yourself: I competed in rodeo events growing up and all through high school and college. I still ride horses and run barrels whenever I am home in California.

Meet the Executive Board: Al Claiborne

This post is part of a series made to introduce you to your elected board members, and also to share a little bit about what SAVMA is working on on a national level. The officers are a group of students that are former SAVMA Delegates and were elected by their fellow Delegates to oversee the House. Keep checking back to meet the whole board!

Name, Position on EB: Al Claiborne, Treasurer

 School and Year: University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, ℅ 2014

 Hometown: GreenEville, TN

 Your area of interest within veterinary medicine: Small animal Medicine & Surgery & Practice Management

 Description of what your office entails: I write checks and give you money!  Oh, and make a budget too.

 Your favorite thing about holding that office: I enjoy working with budgets and ensuring future financial success.  Oh, and writing big checks!

 Something exciting that your office is doing/has done for vet students this past year:  We've been evaluating online dues payments to make registration as simple as possible for students.  We're also continuing to use low-risk investments to ensure the future financial health of SAVMA.

 Your favorite SAVMA related experience thus far (EB or not): Serving as the AVMA Legislative Advisory Committee liaison.  I love politics, and I love veterinary medicine.  Mixing the two made each even better.  I also enjoy meeting people, and this allowed me to meet several wonderful people in the AVMA GRD, and on the committee itself.

 Something fun about yourself: If I have free time and the weather is nice, you'll find me out on my road bike in a hypoxic state, huffing and puffing.  I certainly won't be the next Lance Armstrong (because I don't lie to the media), but riding a bike down the road is one of the most peaceful ways to enjoy the outdoors!