Chris Kawcak, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR

AAEP Service:

Member since 1991
The Foundation for the Horse Research Working Group (2022-current)
Racing Committee Member  (2020-2023)
AAEP 2004 Research Committee Chair  (2002-2005)
Research Committee Member  (2000-2002)
Program Chair - FOCUS on Joints
Multiple research, clinical and laboratory presentations at AAEP meetings

Professional life/Community and professional volunteer service:

My professional life has been focused on equine surgery and sports medicine, both in private and university practices. This has integrated nicely with my research focus on identifying the athletic horse at risk of injury and testing various techniques to detect and improve joint disease. During that time, I was recruited to lead various programs and initiatives. I was Equine Hospital Director at CSU for 13 years, the latter 5 years including the Equine Reproduction Laboratory. I worked with Dave Frisbie and Wayne McIlwraith to build both the Equine Orthopedic Research Center and the Translational Medicine Institute at CSU. Through these experiences, I have had the opportunity to work with various teams of great diversity. I learned to advocate for programs and people and help to promote their careers. In our community, my wife and I focus many of our efforts around eventing. We organize Tomora Horse Trials for USEA Area IX, we volunteer in various ways at horse trials and clinics, and we volunteer for the USEA Equine Safety and Welfare Committee, which I currently chair. I have held volunteer positions not only within AAEP, but also within the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, AO Vet, Grayson- Jockey Club Research Foundation, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and others. I teach at all levels, from undergraduate to graduate and continuing education levels, in didactic, laboratory and clinical learning environments. My primary goal has been to advocate for the horse from as many avenues as possible.

Q: Why do you want to serve on the board?

AAEP is composed of a membership and staff that are incredibly high performing in all aspects as they advocate for the horse, the practitioners and their staff. Over the years, AAEP has acted quickly to thoughtfully respond around several equine health and welfare issues, and several policies that help our members. The AAEP staff work at that same level, often leading the way on initiatives and advocacy. Working for this type of organization is not only meaningful to me, but it provides the high-pressure, high-impact discussions that optimize our care of horses and our advocacy for members. The outcomes need to be timely, impactful, yet thoughtfully prepared and vetted by our membership. That’s a big ask, but AAEP continues to deliver, and being a part of that team is exciting. The challenges and opportunities facing AAEP right now are significant, and I am hopeful that the experiences that have shaped my career can be helpful to the causes.

Q: What attributes would you bring to the board?

My leadership opportunities at CSU and within the industry have been broad: from local organizations to state and federal advocacy, and there have been failures along the way. But in those situations, it has been important to me to really understand the context from which people are developing their stance on issues. I feel that when I ask for context and understanding, then people tell their story and usually reach out for better understanding themselves. At that point, I think discourse becomes productive. That is what I try and seek in every discussion. Not every idea wins in every situation, but taking the time to understand a perspective can pay off in support of future initiatives. I also believe that my experiences within AAEP can bring value to the board. I have worked closely with some of our more senior members, and I currently work with a lot of our younger members. I enjoy merging the old and new perspectives, especially when it can be done face-to-face.