AASV Foundation news

Heritage Video Library expands

Pop some popcorn, prop up your feet, and prepare to be encouraged, inspired, and motivated as you view the new member recollection videos added to the AASV video library.

Dr Angela Baysinger shares her challenges, opportunities, and faith. Pushing boundaries, paving paths, and making a difference.

Dr Conrad Schmidt: From aspiration to innovation; his life philosophy, purpose, and motivation. A call to action.

Dr Lisa Tokach: A ceiling-breaking leader who has given tirelessly to AASV.

It is certainly worth your time to find out what makes these prominent swine veterinarians “tick.” You cannot help but feel a sense of connection to each of them as they recount the experiences that led to their choice of profession and the opportunities that followed. And you will appreciate the sage advice they offer to colleagues following in their footsteps.

A fourth new video recounts the History of the AASV Foundation from its humble beginnings and $10,000 of seed money in the late 1980’s to its position today as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that disburses tens of thousands of dollars annually for research grants, scholarships, debt relief, and other programs benefiting the swine veterinary profession. As you watch the video, you will meet the many visionary leaders who had the foresight and drive to establish, promote, and expand the foundation to “ensure the future and create a legacy” for swine veterinarians.

The Heritage Video Series is an ongoing project of the AASV Communications Committee to record and preserve AASV history through the recollections of its members. Recent videos have been produced by Dr Sarah Probst Miller’s company, AgCreate Solutions, with financial support from the AASV Foundation. The new videos are among more than 20 available for AASV members to view at aasv.org/members/only/video.

Dr Angela Baysinger
Dr Angela Baysinger
Dr Conrad Schmidt
Dr Conrad Schmidt
Dr Lisa Tokach
Dr Lisa Tokach

Y’all bid now, ya hear?

Get ready!

Bidding will open soon on the many items so generously donated for the 2024 AASV Foundation fundraising auction. This event is the key fundraiser to support the foundation’s annual disbursements of research grants, scholarships, externship grants, debt relief, and more.

Get set!

Take a look at aasv.org/foundation/2024/auctionlist.php and prepare to bid! There is something for everyone, from trips, sporting events, and household décor to artwork, handcrafted items, and pig collectibles.

Go!

Silent auction bidding opens on February 1. As in recent years, the silent auction will be conducted entirely online using the popular ClickBid site at aasvf.cbo.io. Anyone can bid anytime until the auction closes at 7:00 pm CST on February 26. Donors will ship or deliver items to the winning bidders after the auction.

The live auction will be conducted at the Gaylord Opryland immediately following the Awards Reception on Monday evening, February 26. Bid in person or contact foundation@aasv.org to make arrangements to bid remotely or submit bids on live auction items.

Let’s make this a Grand Ole Auction, y’all!

Remember, when you bid in the foundation auction, you are bidding on much more than a trip to a fun event or an item to display in your home. You are bidding to support research that will open a window on new information to help you understand and address the latest disease challenges. You are bidding on developing a veterinary student into a colleague ready to join your practice or research team. You are bidding on reducing the debt of the young swine veterinarian getting started in their career. You are bidding on helping a seasoned colleague (or yourself!) pursue advanced training.

Look past the “market value” of the auction item to see the true value of your bid: Priceless!

Y’all bid now, ya hear?

Two Acosta Scholars receive meeting attendance stipends

The AASV Foundation has awarded two $2500 stipends to veterinary students in Mexico to facilitate their attendance at the 2024 AASV Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. The students, Lizbeth Camarena Monjaras and Jose de Jesus Gonzalez Franco, were selected by the Martha Acosta Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the veterinary education of students in Latin America.

Dr Acosta, a longtime AASV member, will accompany Lizbeth and Jose to the meeting where they will be introduced during the AASV - AASV Foundation Luncheon. The two recipients are current AASV student members and will receive their veterinary degrees from the University of Guadalajara later this year. Following the meeting, they will write and submit a report on how the meeting and their membership in AASV has impacted their educational goals and career direction.

The foundation’s goal in providing the stipends is to promote swine veterinary medicine and encourage increased international student membership in AASV.

Jose de Jesus Gonzalez Franco
Jose de Jesus Gonzalez Franco
Lizbeth Camarena Monjaras
Lizbeth Camarena Monjaras

AASV Foundation continues AASV luncheon partnership

For the second year, the AASV Foundation will cosponsor Monday’s luncheon during the AASV Annual Meeting. Last year in Colorado, the well-attended luncheon proved to be the perfect opportunity to showcase the foundation’s giving opportunities, recognize donors, and announce recipients of its many scholarships, research grants, and debt-relief awards. These presentations will continue to be made during the Monday luncheon at the 2024 meeting.

In addition, attendees at the luncheon in Nashville will learn more about some of the new programs initiated by the foundation, including the scholarship for AASV members pursuing American Board of Veterinary Practitioners certification in Swine Health Management, and the support provided to the Martha Acosta Foundation to encourage international student membership and attendance at the AASV Annual Meeting.

In previous years, the Foundation Luncheon was hosted on Sunday for Leman, Heritage, and Legacy donors to attend. By cosponsoring the Monday luncheon for all AASV meeting attendees instead, the foundation can make a broader cross-section of the AASV membership aware of its many scholarships, grants, and other opportunities for personal and professional growth.