Dr. Lisa Fortier to Help Practitioners Optimize Use of Orthobiologics During AAEP’s 2024 Milne Lecture

Renowned clinician-scientist Lisa Fortier, DVM, PhD, DACVS, will share how equine veterinarians can leverage orthobiologics to restore biological function when she delivers the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture on Sunday, Dec. 8 at the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) 70^th Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla.

During her lecture, “The Equine Community Leading the Way in Orthobiologics,” Dr. Fortier will help practitioners optimize use of orthobiologics in the treatment of common equine pathologies while exposing knowledge gaps limiting the profession from advancing to the next stage of musculoskeletal wellness for equine patients. Orthobiologics is a subdiscipline of regenerative medicine that uses naturally derived substances from the body to help heal musculoskeletal injuries.

Dr. Fortier is the James Law Professor of Surgery at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine where, over the past 30 years, she has garnered an international reputation for her significant contributions in the areas of equine joint disease, cartilage biology and regenerative medicine, particularly her pioneering use of biologics such as platelet rich plasma, bone marrow concentrate and stem cells in horses and humans.

In addition to her Cornell appointment, Dr. Fortier is editor-in-chief for the American Veterinary Medical Association’s journals and, in 2023, became the chief publication officer for the AVMA. She also serves on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s Racetrack Safety Standing Committee.

Dr. Fortier received her veterinary degree from Colorado State University in 1991. She subsequently completed an internship in equine surgery and medicine at Illinois Equine Hospital and a residency in equine surgery at Cornell University. She became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1996 and received a PhD in veterinary medicine from Cornell in 1998. Dr. Fortier’s accolades include induction into the University of Kentucky Equine Research Hall of Fame in 2022 as well as the Jaques Lemans Award from the International Cartilage Repair Society, the New Investigator Research Award from the Orthopaedic Research Society and the Pfizer Research Award for Research Excellence from Cornell University.

The convention lecture, sponsored by Platinum Performance, is named for AAEP past president and distinguished life member Dr. Frank J. Milne.

The AAEP’s 70^th Annual Convention will be held Dec. 7–11 at the Orange County Convention Center. Registration for the event will open in mid-July at aaep.org.

About AAEP

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

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