We remember Dr. Peter M. Biggs and Dr. Egon Vielitz

The American Association of Avian Pathologists regrets to inform members of the passing of Dr. Peter M. Biggs and Dr. Egon Vielitz. We send our condolences to their families and colleagues.

Sadly, Dr. Egon Vielitz died on December 29, 2021 at the age of 89.  He was the principal veterinarian for the Lohmann Company, a major poultry breeder and vaccine manufacturer located in Cuxhaven, Germany, from 1959 to 1999.  He was involved in nearly every important poultry disease problem in Europe (and the world) at various stages of his illustrious career but was especially proud of his work on chicken anemia virus leading to the first vaccine.  Dr. Vielitz collaborated widely, conducted and published groundbreaking research, and was a prominent contributor to international poultry medicine for many decades.  Fortunately, his amazing story of survival during the Hitler years and strong professional career is preserved for the ages in the AAAP biographical archives.  Funeral details are not yet available. View Autobiography

National Poultry Improvement Plan Seeks Nominations for the General Conference Committee

The National Poultry Improvement Plan is a cooperative industry-state-federal program that supports new diagnostic technology for poultry and poultry products throughout the country. Participants can earn certification seals upon testing their poultry according to the NPIP provisions, which allows these producers to better facilitate trade. The General Conference Committee is a federal advisory committee that seeks to collect input from the poultry industry and deliver issues of concern directly to the Secretary of Agriculture for the promotion of poultry improvement. To learn more about the NPIP, please visit this website: http://www.poultryimprovement.org.

The NPIP is seeking nominations for three regions: South Central, South Atlantic and West North Central. These nominations will be accepted through March 1, 2022. Send your nomination (or self-nomination) to Penny Kesler ([email protected]). Inquiries may contact NPIP Senior Coordinator, Dr. Elena Behnke ([email protected]).

2022 Western Poultry Disease Conference
Call For Titles

The title of the 71st Western Poultry Disease Conference is “Poultry Diseases of Concern in Modern Production Systems”.  we invite you to submit a title and 150-word summary. Oral and poster presentations will be selected from the submission pool and all chosen presentations will be included in the 71st annual WPDC Proceedings.

We are also proud to announce and invite undergraduate, graduate, and veterinary students as well veterinarians on a poultry residency program to join our Student Competition at the 71st Western Poultry Disease Conference (WPDC). Two prizes of US$500 will be awarded to the best presentations on basic research and field research/case reports. Student abstracts selected for oral presentations are eligible for the awards. Upon registration, please indicate your interest in participating in the Student Competition.

Submit a Title

Today we are celebrating our “flock”!  The AAAP Development Committee is thankful to all of our “flock” who have donated during the Giving Eggstravaganza this week.  We invite you to post a picture of your “flock” (whoever your flock may be) on the AAAP Members Facebook page, or, on the AAAP Blog if you are not on social media.

Thank you to all who have made a donation during the AAAP Foundation Giving Extravaganza!  We are happy to announce that our current total is $7,205, with 1.5 days left!  If you have not donated yet, don’t delay!  Head over to the donation page at and make your donation now!  Donations over $100 will qualify the donor to be entered into the drawing for a FREE AAAP membership in 2022. 

We are happy to announce that the state of Arkansas is leading the pack, as the state with the most donations so far.  Also, the AAAP members from Allied Industry have made the most donations, with Consultants close behind.  Meanwhile, the University of Georgia is in the lead with the most alumni donations.  The winners in these categories won’t be final until noon tomorrow, so donate now to help your state, area of the poultry industry, or university gain the most donors! 

The AAAP Development Committee would like to thank ALL of the AAAP members who generously donated this week during the AAAP Foundation Giving Eggstravaganza.  The winner of the 2022 AAAP Membership is Dr. Megan Lighty.  Congratulations, Dr. Megan Lighty!

We are halfway through the AAAP Foundation’s Giving Eggstravaganza! Today we are highlighting the AAAP Excellence in Mentorship Award.  This award was initiated in 2019 and is given to a member of the AAAP who has demonstrated a passion for mentoring students and/or fellow colleagues.  Since this is a new award, the AAAP Foundation is actively soliciting donations to fully fund this award.  Once this award has reached $40,000, it will be funded in perpetuity.  Find out more about mentorship and the Excellence in Mentorship Award by reading this interview with AAAP Excellence in Mentorship Award recipients, Dr. Mark Bland and Dr. Patricia Wakenell.  

Did you know that the AAAP Foundation Preceptorship Poultry Medicine Training Program was the brainchild of Dr. Kenneth Eskelund, who started the program in 1988?

New AAAP Job Seeking Form

Are you a AAAP member who is looking for a job?  Do you wish there was a way to let employers know you are out there?  Now there is!  The AAAP Membership Committee has developed a form where job seekers can fill out their contact information and upload their CV to let employers know they are available.  

Job Seeking Form

If you are an employer seeking qualified candidates to fill open positions, use the link below to view the AAAP members pursing employment opportunities.  Both of these web pages are behind the AAAP firewall, so they are only able to be accessed and viewed by AAAP members. Happy job hunting!

Find Potential Candidates

The AAAP Development Committee would like you to mark your calendars for the AAAP Foundation's first annual Giving Eggstravaganza!  This fun week of donations, activities, contests, and prizes will be held October 4-8, 2021.  More details will be coming soon! 

Now Accepting Applications for the 2022 AAAP Foundation Scholarships and Awards 
Deadline: November 1^st

The AAAP Foundation offers more than 30 awards and scholarships to support our student members each year. There are opportunities for undergraduate students, veterinary students, non-veterinary students, and post graduate students.  Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $5,000. Scholarships range from cash awards to awards that pay for travel to the AVMA Convention to present the awardee’s work during the AAAP Annual Meeting. Find out more about these scholarships and awards and apply.

Travel Awards/Scholarships

AAAP 2022 Abstract Submissions Open

To: AAAP Members
Re: Call for Abstracts

Abstract submission is now open for the 2022 AAAP Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held in Philadelphia July 29- August 2, 2022.

2021 AAAP Virtual Annual Meeting Awards Recipients

Event

American Association of Avian Pathologists Inc. Virtual Annual Meeting, July 30-August 2, 2021. A recording of the Awards presentation is available to meeting registrants on the virtual site. 

2021 AAAP Silent Auction Results

2021 AAAP Raffle is Now Open!

We are happy to announce the continuation of the AAAP annual meeting raffle. We would like to thank IDEXX and Biocheck for donating our 2021 raffle prizes.

Purchase Raffle Tickets 

Apple AirPod Pro: Sponsored by IDEXX
The latest and greatest AirPod’s from Apple with noise cancellation! This is the white model and comes with a wireless charging case. https://www.apple.com/airpods-pro/

2021 AAAP Election Results

We are pleased to announce the results of this year’s American Association of Avian Pathologist election.  

AAAP Director: Naola Ferguson-Noel (2021-2025)
AAAP Director: Simone Stoute (2021-2025)
AAAP Student Director: Ashley Hallowell (2021-2022)
AAAP President-Elect: Rocio Crespo (2021-2024)
AAAP Executive Vice President: Suzanne Dougherty (2021-2026)

AABP Podcast - Have You Herd?

Have You Herd? is brought to you by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, an international association of cattle veterinarians and veterinary students dedicated to the health, productivity and welfare of cattle. Their most recent podcast features our very own Executive Vice President, Dr. Suzanne Dougherty. In the podcast, Dougherty shares information on the poultry industry while going in depth on animal welfare and antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Listen to the full episode at the link below and check out more of AABP's Podcast - Have You Herd? as they are interviewing different food animal veterinarians. 

Poultry Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Suzanne Dougherty from AAAP

AAAP Nominations Committee's Slate of Candidates and Call for Further Nominations

The AAAP Nominations Committee has nominated the following for positions on the AAAP Board of Directors. A brief biography of each candidate can be found here.   

President-Elect

Registration is now open for the 
2021 AAAP Virtual Annual Meeting