Practitioners Celebrate the Return of In-Person Education at AAEP Convention in Nashville

The resumption of in-person learning at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) 67th Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 4–8, enabled horse doctors to reestablish important industry relationships and reconnect to their passion by acquiring solutions for patient health and practice success. Attendance comprised 3,662 veterinary professionals, students, guests and exhibitors. Nearly 700 additional equine practitioners and students are participating remotely via a virtual component offering on-demand access to recordings of educational sessions.

With 146 hours of practical and innovative continuing education on offer, practitioners acquired solutions to practice challenges across the equine veterinary spectrum, including dentistry, imaging, internal medicine, lameness, reproduction and more. In addition, 93 veterinarians and nearly 100 veterinary students refined techniques and learned new skills at an expansive slate of dry labs.

During the Opening Session on Dec. 5, keynote speaker Meagan Johnson offered tips and suggestions for practices to create a generationally inclusive workplace that helps practices maintain outstanding service to horses and clients as well as facilitate the growth, satisfaction and long-term success of associates and interns. At the following day’s Milne Lecture, renowned equine locomotion expert Dr. Jean-Marie Denoix helped practitioners identify and interpret the biomechanical and anatomic clues to various lamenesses obtainable through a visual exam of the horse under different gaits, surfaces and exercises.

In addition to clinical education, practitioners and students renewed friendships and expanded their professional circles at numerous networking and social events. They also shopped for their next practice investment among 268 exhibiting companies within the trade show.

“After our necessary pivot to an exclusively virtual event last year, convention attendees were excited to gather together again in Nashville this year, which required reasonable safety measures be put in place,” said AAEP Executive Director David Foley. “At the same time, we wanted to ensure that we had options for those who were hesitant to travel or whose practice obligations precluded them from attending in person. Enabling their participation virtually expands accessibility to the outstanding educational program offered in Nashville, ultimately benefiting the health of their equine patients.”

Installation of 2022 officers: Dr. Emma Read of Columbus, Ohio, was installed as AAEP’s 68th president. She is joined as a 2022 officer by President-Elect Dr. Rob Franklin of Fredericksburg, Texas; Vice President Dr. Katherine Garrett of Lexington, Ky.; Treasurer Dr. Amy Grice of Virginia City, Mont.; and Immediate Past President Dr. Scott Hay of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

New members of the board of directors are Dr. Jackie Christakos of Littleton, Colo., and Dr. Eric Mueller of Sunset, S.C.

Presentation of annual awards: Seven AAEP members were honored for outstanding contributions to the horse and profession during the Dec. 7 President’s Luncheon:

Distinguished Educator Award – Academic: Dr. Elizabeth Santschi, Manhattan, Kan.
AAEP Research Award: Dr. Joy Tomlinson, Ithaca, N.Y.
Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Jim Morehead, Lexington, Ky.
Distinguished Life Member: Dr. William Moyer, Billings, Mont.
Sage Kester Beyond the Call Award: Dr. Larry Bramlage, Lexington, Ky.
President’s Award: Dr. Carol Clark, Ocala, Fla., and Dr. Amy Grice, Virginia City, Mont.

Award of scholarships: Through the generosity of its scholarship program partners, The Foundation for the Horse awarded $355,000 in scholarships to 14 veterinary students.

The AAEP’s 68th Annual Convention will be held in San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 18–22, 2022.

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.

Note: Photos of officers, new board members and award recipients are available by contacting Giulia Garcia at ggarcia@aaep.org. Press releases about the award recipients and new board members are available at https://aaep.org/newsroom.