Shaping the veterinary profession as leaders: LSU Vet Med's impact is far-reaching

Excellence at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is measured not only by achievements in teaching, clinical care, and research but also by the leadership its people provide to the profession nationally and around the world.

From national associations that shape veterinary policy and education to international specialty colleges advancing scientific discovery, LSU Vet Med leaders are helping guide the future of veterinary medicine at every level.

"Leadership is service," said LSU Vet Med Interim Dean Colin Mitchell. "Our faculty, staff, and students are committed to advancing our institution and also to strengthening the profession as a whole. Their willingness to lead reflects the depth of expertise and dedication that distinguishes LSU Vet Med."

National Veterinary Professional Organizations

Many LSU Vet Med faculty members serve in leadership roles within organizations that influence veterinary practice, specialty medicine, professional standards, and public policy across the United States.

Dr. Henry Green (LSU 1999), associate dean for inclusive excellence and associate professor of veterinary cardiology, recently completed his term as president of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), one of the profession's most respected specialty organizations. His leadership followed service as president-elect and will continue through board leadership roles as chair and past chair.

Dr. Clare Scully, associate professor of food animal health maintenance, served as president of the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners and currently serves as president of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Rob Simpson, assistant professor and director of professional development education, serves as president of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association, an organization dedicated to issues at the intersection of veterinary medicine and the law.

Dr. Adriano Vatta is president-elect and program chair of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists.

Dr. Nancy Welborn (LSU 1990) is secretary of the Primary Care Veterinary Educators group and has served on its leadership team since 2017. PCVE represents small animal primary care educators in academia worldwide.

Dr. Madeleine Stein leads the Companion Animal Antimicrobial Stewards.

Dr. Jeremy Redmond serves as treasurer of the Academy of Veterinary Educators, a professional organization that promotes, advances, and recognizes excellence in veterinary medical education.

Dr. Oliver Garden serves as president and founding leader of the Veterinary and Comparative Clinical Immunology Society, a global organization connecting veterinary clinicians and scientists with interests in veterinary and comparative clinical immunology. He also serves on the American Veterinary Medical Association Task Force on Emerging Technologies and Innovation, which is developing guidance related to artificial intelligence.

Veterinary Education and Admissions Leadership

LSU Vet Med faculty and staff are also helping shape the future of veterinary education through leadership roles within organizations that support admissions, recruitment, and academic excellence.

Dr. Gretchen Delcambre (LSU 2009) serves on the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Admissions and Recruiting Committee. She served as chair in 2022-23 and continues as a senior member. She also serves on the AAVMC Conference Planning Committee for 2026 and 2027.

Tilly Parkin serves on the Admissions Operations Subcommittee of the AAVMC Admissions and Recruiting Committee. LSU Vet Med is the only veterinary school represented by two members on this national group.

International Specialty Colleges and Certification Bodies

LSU Vet Med's influence extends well beyond North America through faculty leadership in European specialty colleges that establish standards for advanced veterinary training and board certification.

Dr. Nathalie Rademacher serves as president of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, the primary governing and certifying body responsible for veterinary diagnostic imaging specialty certification across Europe. She also serves as an ex-officio member of the American College of Veterinary Radiology Executive Council.

Dr. Thomas Tully (LSU 1986) and Dr. Javier Nevarez (LSU 2001, 2007) hold leadership positions within the European College of Zoological Medicine, chairing the avian and herpetological medicine specialties, respectively. Their work helps shape standards, training, and certification for veterinarians caring for birds, reptiles, amphibians, and other exotic species worldwide.

Diagnostic Laboratory Leadership

LSU Vet Med's diagnostic professionals are also contributing to national efforts that strengthen animal health surveillance, disease detection, and laboratory excellence.

Brandye Smith of the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory serves in a national leadership role with the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, helping advance veterinary diagnostic laboratories and disease surveillance efforts that protect animal and public health.

Dr. Alma Roy, director of LSU Diagnostics, will serve as Louisiana's delegate to the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians House of Delegates in 2026.

Biomedical Research Leadership

Faculty and staff are also helping guide national scientific organizations and research initiatives that advance biomedical discovery and collaboration.

Dr. Konstantin (Gus) Kousoulas, past president of the National Association of IDeA Principal Investigators (NAIPI), continues to serve in national leadership roles supporting investigators and programs throughout the NIH IDeA network. He also chairs scientific advisory committees for the Tulane National Primate Research Center and the Southwest National Primate Research Center and serves as chair of the National Organizing Committee for the 2026 National IDeA Symposium of Biomedical Research Excellence (NISBRE).

Ojasvi Dutta serves as LSU's lead representative on the organizing support committee for NISBRE 2026 and participated as a panelist in the national session, "Leveraging Collaborations Across the IDeA Network."

Dr. Alexandra Noël chairs the American Thoracic Society Membership Committee and serves on the Society of Toxicology Career Advancement, Mentoring, and Networking Committee.

Dr. Brooke Dubansky serves as associate editor of Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia, the journal of the World Association of Veterinary Anatomists, and associate editor for the Journal of Histotechnology, the journal of the National Society for Histotechnology.

Student Leadership

LSU Vet Med students are also making their mark through national leadership roles that represent the interests and perspectives of future veterinarians.

Spencer Stelly (Class of 2027) serves as national president of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA), representing more than 20,000 veterinary students across North America. In this role, he works with veterinary school leaders and the American Veterinary Medical Association to advocate for students and address issues affecting the next generation of veterinarians.

Armando "AJ" Lopez (Class of 2028) and Brooke Javier (Class of 2029) serve as national SAVMA delegates.

Taken together, these leadership roles tell a larger story about LSU Vet Med. Whether guiding international specialty colleges, leading national professional organizations, advancing biomedical research, strengthening veterinary education, or representing future veterinarians, LSU Vet Med is helping shape the direction of the profession.

Their service demonstrates that LSU Vet Med's impact extends far beyond its Baton Rouge campus. Through leadership, scholarship, and advocacy, they are helping advance veterinary medicine across Louisiana, the nation, and the world.