HEALTH - Veterinarians Invited to Apply for AVMA Congressional Fellowship

Veterinarians interested in shaping public policy around issues such as animal welfare, food safety, and public health are invited to apply for the AVMA Congressional Fellowship Program.

The AVMA brings veterinarians to Washington, D.C., as congressional fellows, to spend a year in the office of a member of Congress advising on policy issues.

Applicants should have the following qualifications:

• Be an advocate for veterinary medicine
• Have an interest in public policy and/or politics
• Demonstrate competence in an area of veterinary medicine
• Exhibit an interest in applying scientific knowledge to address societal/public policy issues
• Have the ability to analyze, identify, and easily explain core scientific issues to a variety of audiences
• Be an AVMA member and U.S. citizen
• Possess the ability to pass a government background investigation.

The fellowship program provides an opportunity to help animal health and welfare on a national scale, not just local.

The selection process is conducted in 3 phases that occur between February and April.

• Phase 1: Selection Committee reviews applicant's application materials and selects individuals to move to Phase 2.
• Phase 2: Participants are given a case study that must be completed over two days. Selection Committee reviews and selects candidates for Phase 3.
• Phase 3: In-person interview with the Selection Committee at the GRD offices in Washington, DC.

The fellowship program is sponsored through the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which works to place qualified, scientific experts in congressional offices where they are needed.

To date, more than 60 veterinarians have participated in the AVMA program.

The application deadline is Friday, February 10th.

AVMA announces 2014-2015 Congressional Fellows

The American Veterinary Medical Association's Governmental Relations Division announced last week three veterinarians who have been selected to participate in the 2014/2015 AVMA Congressional Fellowship Program. 

Elise Ackley, Chase Crawford and Dr. Carolyn La Jeunesse will begin fellowships in Washington, D.C. this coming August. 

"The AVMA Congressional Fellowship Program is a unique way for veterinarians at all stages in their careers to learn about the legislative process and take part firsthand in developing public policies that will have a national and global impact," said Dr. Mark Lutschaunig, director of the AVMAs' Governmental Relations Division. "Not only will Drs. Ackley, Crawford and La Jeunesse serve their county by providing advance on a wide range of pressing scientific, national issues, but they will also be able to network with officials in all branches of the federal government." 

For more information, READ THE NEWS RELEASE.