Press Release 11/08/2006 #2
Contact: Public Affairs (404) 656-3689
Georgia State Veterinarian to Head National Association
Dr. Lee M. Myers, Georgia State Veterinarian, has been elected president of the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA), an organization of state and federal animal health officials, practicing veterinarians, livestock producers, research scientists and others concerned with animal health.
Dr. Myers is the first woman, and one of only five Georgians, to hold the post in the organization’s 110-year history.
“Her peers see the same qualities in Dr. Myers that I saw when selected her to be our state veterinarian,” said Tommy Irvin, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture. “I am proud to have such a highly respected person on my team working to protect and improve Georgia agriculture.”
"It is an exciting time to lead the USAHA. Never before have we faced such monumental threats of infectious diseases, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, as well as complex policy issues, such as a national animal identification system, at a time when so few veterinarians are engaged in public practice," Dr. Myers said. "During the coming year, the USAHA will once again cultivate partnerships and provide a forum to develop solutions to animal health issues."
More than 1,400 people - a record-breaking attendance for the fifth consecutive year - attended the week-long conference, held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Association of Laboratory Diagnosticians in Minneapolis last month, to discuss issues related to the health of farm livestock, wildlife, poultry and fish. The future of animal disease surveillance was the featured topic at this year's joint scientific session.
Dr. Myers and her husband, Dr. Billy Myers, are residents of Good Hope.
For more information about the USAHA, visit the website www.usaha.org.
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