Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA)
Group Description:
The Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) was created in 1969 as the national organization for veterinary students, in order to foster communication between individual chapters. Currently, SAVMA is comprised of 36 student chapters (30 in the U.S., 1 in Canada, 2 in the Caribbean, and 3 in the United Kingdom) and one associate organization, representing a total of over 16,000 veterinary student members. Follow the link to ‘What Is SAVMA’ to learn more on these student chapters and the national organization.
SAVMA’s mission is to support, empower, and inspire all veterinary students in improving their lives, education and career, along with securing a better future for our profession through collaboration with our parent organization, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Principle activities, events, or programs:
Programs are geared toward the entire student body at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.
How this group’s activities benefit the profession, university, and community:
1) Your Advocate
The AVMA advocates for policies on federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that impact you, your profession, your clients, your patients and society.
2) High Educational Standards
The AVMA ensures that the “gold standard” of accreditation requirements for the schools that educate veterinarians and veterinary technicians are enforced and the standards upheld.
3) Voice of the Profession
Hundreds of veterinarian members participate in the development of scientifically sound policies that guide decisions from local municipalities all the way up to the federal government. The AVMA allows veterinarians to speak with one voice on critical matters impacting the profession.
4) World-Class Professional Knowledge
The AVMA provides timely and reliable access to information important to the veterinary profession.
The Journal of the AVMA (JAVMA), which is available in print and online, is a peer-reviewed, general scientific journal that keeps everyone interested in the veterinary profession up to date through a wide variety of clinical studies, regular feature articles, and news of the profession.
The American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR), also available in print and online, features peer-reviewed reports of applied research in veterinary medicine and associated biological sciences.
The Membership Directory and Resource Manual helps members stay in touch and includes information and resources valuable to the profession, as well as references to find the most current AVMA policies online.
5) Continuing Education and Networking Opportunities
The AVMA Annual Convention offers exciting and valuable educational opportunities, networking and relaxation. Convenient, online CE derived from convention programs and journal articles is now available exclusively through the AVMA.
6) Providing Guidelines
The AVMA provides guidelines for the practice of veterinary medicine in the United States. Codes of ethics and guidelines of service are developed and evaluated on an ongoing basis to appropriately protect animal and human health.
7) Volunteer Opportunities
The AVMA provides numerous volunteer opportunities to serve the profession and the Association in many areas on its councils, committees, advisory boards and task forces. The AVMA also assists members in finding other opportunities that exist at the grassroots, local and state levels.
8) Support for Future Colleagues
The AVMA, the SAVMA Chapters and the Student AVMA (SAVMA) work together to offer students countless opportunities in veterinary medicine, including student seats on AVMA entities and opportunities to provide input as tomorrow’s leaders.
9) Member-Only Benefits and Services
The AVMA provides member-only opportunities! Here are just a few:
Insurance
– Through the AVMA PLIT – Affordable professional liability insurance, workers’ compensation and business insurance coverage, as well as personal insurance coverage benefits, including homeowners, personal auto, renters, personal umbrella liability and more.
– Through the AVMA LIFE – Coverage for disability, medical care and life.
Career assistance – Through the AVMA Veterinary Career Center (VCC) job postings are maintained and updated regularly. Job seekers’ resumes are searchable by employers with current job postings. The VCC helps you make the right connections professionally, with confidence and confidentiality.
Discounted Programs – With companies such as, Lands’ End, Bank of America Credit Card, and Banc of America Practice Solutions, Inc.
10) Promoting Veterinarians to the Public
The AVMA is acknowledged by the government, public and other organizations as the recognized resource for any and all questions related to veterinary medicine and animal health.
How to get involved with this group:
SAVMA membership is open to any full-time student currently enrolled in a program of study leading directly to a professional veterinary degree, granted by a school or college of veterinary medicine and not veterinary technology. SAVMA Membership runs from mid-April through mid-April each year. Membership dues are non-transferrable and non-refundable and vary based on your school location. Log into the SAVMA dues website to view your current dues.
Officers
President: Jasmine Coleman
Vice President/President-elect: Madeline Hughley
Secretary: Courtney Weaver
Treasurer: Sarah Castleman
Senior Delegate: Amanda Bentley
Junior Delegate: Sommer Pollard
Secretary-elect: Shelby Oldham
Treasurer-elect: Savana Gandy
IVSA Rep: Macie Mattmiller
IVSA Rep-elect: Josey Sobolewski
Membership Chair: Meera Gullapalli
Membership Chair-elect: Lexi Baur
Wellness Chair: Taylor Gwynn
Wellness Chair-elect: Emma Yonan
Community Service Chair: Jordan Whitfield
Community Service Chair-elect: Lauren Finney
Fundraising Chair: Casey Phillips
Fundraising Chair-elect: Jenna Sanossian
Faculty Advisor(s):
Dr. Julie Gard, Dr. Joe Rowe, Dr. Lindsay Starkey, Dr. Brandon Brunson
Contact Information:
Updated: 2/3/2021
