As I reflect on my journey as an AAAP member and now President, I am reminded of how deeply this organization—and the mentors within it—have shaped my commitment to service. The AAAP taught me the importance of giving back and embracing the idea of paying it forward. My involvement in organized veterinary medicine and industry groups made it clear early on that this would be a lifelong path. Serving on committees and on the Board has given me a deeper appreciation for the people, volunteers, and members who make the AAAP thrive.

The Value of Volunteerism

Volunteerism offers some of the greatest rewards in our professional lives: a strong sense of belonging, lifelong relationships, and a network that supports both personal and career growth. I encourage all our members to fully embrace these opportunities.

In that spirit, I am proud to share that three future leaders of the AAAP—Meagan Abraham, Rana Waqar Tabish, and Stephanie Benedict—represented us at the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference in Chicago. It was at last year’s conference that I first learned about the volunteerism engagement continuum: a journey that moves from consuming, to promoting, to creating, to serving, and ultimately to governing. I hope many of you will consider where you are on this path—and where you want to go next.

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AAAP Member, Dr. Jarra Jagne, was recognized by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine with its highest alumni honor, the Daniel Elmer Salmon Award for Distinguished Alumni Service. The award recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves in service to the profession, their communities, or to the college. We are so proud of Dr. Jagne for receiving this honor!

Graduating from Cornell University in 1990, Dr. Jagne serves as a professor of practice in the Department of Public & Ecosystem Health at the university's College of Veterinary Medicine. She is known for her expertise in poultry health and One Health in developing countries and her dedication to educating, supporting, and connecting with members of the poultry community.

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Dr. Suzanne McComb will complete her second term as AAAP Executive Vice President this summer and has elected not to renew. On behalf of the entire AAAP community, we thank Dr. McComb for her dedicated service and leadership in this role.

With that transition approaching, we are pleased to share that the search for her successor has advanced to the interview stage. Two finalists have been selected, and candidate interviews are scheduled for late March and early April.

Following the interviews, a search committee composed of AAAP Committee Directors, the AAAP Foundation President, and two additional past presidents will evaluate the candidates and provide a recommendation to the AAAP Board of Directors. The Board will convene virtually in mid-April to review the recommendation and discuss next steps.

The final selection will be brought to the AAAP membership for a vote at the Annual Meeting business meeting, at which point the incoming EVP will assume the role. We encourage all members to plan to attend and participate in this important decision.

If you have questions, please contact the AAAP office at [email protected].

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The 2026 AAAP Board of Directors Election is currently ongoing. Make sure to get your vote in by April 6! Please note that student members can only vote for Student Director while full, retired, and life members can only vote for Directors. All members can vote on President-Elect. Here is the list of nominees:

President-Elect: Dr. Naola Ferguson-Noel Dr. Kabel Robbins	Director: Dr. Teresa Morishita Dr. Ruediger Hauck Dr. Eric Orozco
Student Director: Je'Juan Bryant Mikayla Schlosser Abbey Brake  Hayden Miller Pankaj P Gaonkar

 

Vote for President-Elect and Directors

Vote for Student Director

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Mark your calendars for these upcoming webinars.  All webinars are non-CE webinars that are free for all AAAP members:

• April 24^th at 10am EST: Cargill Sponsored Webinar - AI Powered Microbiome Intelligence: Turning Data into Actionable Insights with Dr. Jean de Oliveira and Dr. Fernanda Castro, moderated by Dr. Manuel Da Costa
• May 4^th at 1pm EST: Organized by the Emerging Diseases Committee - Monitoring Avian Metapneumovirus – Serology with Dr. Reshma Ramachandran
• June 22^nd at 1pm EST: Organized by the Emerging Diseases Committee - Learning about Castellaniella with Dr. Grazieli Maboni

Are you in need of Continuing Education credits? Or are you looking for some poultry related professional development? If so, then please check out the AAAP Virtual Education page. There, you can sign up for one of 5 courses currently offered on the AAAP LMS.  AAAP also has a plethora of educational resources for sale. We offer a wide range of materials, including textbooks and slide study sets. AAAP members receive a 10% discount on all books and study sets. AAAP is currently working on new editions for our books, so stay tuned for further information! 

AAAP also offers the Poultry Medicine Course for Veterinarians in Private Practice. Meant to help educate general-practice veterinarians about poultry issues in small and backyard poultry flocks, this self-paced course will grant 8 RACE-approved continuing education credits upon successful completion of all modules in this course.

View Virtual Education

Browse Bookstore

Register for the Poultry Medicine Course

Have you heard? AAAP has a new committee and interest group!

Breeder & Hatchery Collaborative

If you spend your days thinking about breeder performance or trying to connect what you see in chicks during the first week of life back to the hatchery, this group is for you. Join Drs. Emma Castillo and Josie Gamble as they curate a space dedicated to exploring and improving breeder and hatchery performance. This is intended to be a collaborative, low-pressure environment where real-world questions are answered. Whether you are troubleshooting ongoing issues or looking to gain more knowledge in these areas, you will find peers with similar goals.

Our virtual meetings will be held up to 4 times a year to discuss challenging cases, behavior, how to move the needle without increasing cost, and much more. Sessions will be a mix of short presentations, case discussions, and open Q&A so members can both learn from others and share their own experiences. The group is open to any AAAP members, whether they are deeply specialized or just looking to build skills in this area.

External Relations Committee

Dear Colleagues, The AAAP External Relations Committee serves as a unified body that advances poultry health, welfare, and food safety through strategic communication, advocacy, and collaboration with external organizations and government agencies. By integrating the functions of the former Outreach and Legislative Advisory Subcommittees, the committee acts as AAAP’s primary liaison to numerous affiliated organizations and regulatory bodies, ensuring consistent messaging and coordinated engagement. Its mission centers on fostering productive relationships, communicating AAAP priorities to federal and state agencies, and supporting collaborative efforts that strengthen the association’s external influence.

The committee is composed of appointed leadership and AAAP liaisons who represent the organization within allied groups and convey AAAP positions, research priorities, and policy perspectives. Members are responsible for active participation in meetings, timely communication of issues and activities, and submission of annual reports, while leadership oversees meetings, subcommittees, and advocacy initiatives. Through coordinated advocacy efforts, participation in governmental outreach activities, and responsiveness to industry and regulatory stakeholders, the External Relations Committee plays a vital role in aligning AAAP’s external engagements with its strategic goals.

Sign Up Here

Join us for the 2026 AAAP Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL!

Register Now

Register for the in-person meeting and virtual sessions in Orlando, Florida.

Please join us for the 69th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. The event will take place at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista from July 28 - July 30 (allied meetings take place on July 27). May 1 is the last day for Early Bird Pricing, with prices increasing on May 2 and again onsite. This registration will include in-person in Orlando (up to 24 CE) and access to additional virtual sessions (up to 8 CE).

Cancellation/Refund Policy: 

Cancellations must be submitted in writing by Wednesday, June 10, 2026, no later than 5:00 PM EST and will incur a $50 processing fee. No refunds will be issued if postmarked after Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Cancellations must be submitted in writing to [email protected].

Register for recorded sessions only

If you are unable to make it to our in-person event in Orlando, you can still register to access the additional recorded virtual sessions only and gain up to 8 CE. The recorded sessions will be available to purchase through December 15 and will be available to view through the end of the year.

Presenters will receive a discount code through email that will be used at the end of registration. Please wait until you have received this code to register.

Read more about the meeting location, hotel reservations, the event schedule and sponsorship by visiting the Annual Meeting website.

Reserve your room now for the 2026 Annual Meeting at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort!

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Running from July 28 - 30, the AAAP Scientific Program will have 3 days of in-person presentations with in-person oral, in-person poster, and prerecorded oral presentations, representing the latest research and field experiences from a diversity of presenters and experts. Multiple meetings and networking opportunities will be hosted during this time. You can view the program schedule by clicking the buttons below.

Program Schedule

Schedule at a Glance

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2026 aMPV AAAP Symposium
Hosted by the Respiratory Diseases Committee and Education Committee
Moderators: Drs. Mohammadreza Ehsan, Algis Martinez, Carmen Jerry, & Kristen Roza
Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Join us for a highly anticipated workshop on Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) at the 2026 Symposium of the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) in Orlando, Florida. This timely session brings together leading experts to provide a comprehensive, field-focused update on the emergence, spread and control of aMPV subtypes A and B across U.S. poultry operations.

From national field investigations and multi-state surveillance data to global perspectives on diagnostics, sequencing, mucosal immunity, and next-generation vaccine development, this workshop will deliver practical insights into epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic timing, vaccination strategies, and real-world management challenges in breeders, broilers, turkeys, and commercial layers. Case-based experiences, applied trials, and large-scale surveillance findings will equip attendees with actionable guidance to improve early detection, strengthen response strategies, and mitigate economic impact.

As aMPV continues to evolve within the U.S. poultry industry, this session offers an unparalleled opportunity to hear directly from experts actively engaged in diagnostics, field response, vaccine implementation, and research—providing the knowledge and tools needed to navigate this emerging respiratory and reproductive disease threat.

Symposium Schedule

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Speak to Influence- Public Speaking Workshop

Mary Cheyne

Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

This year’s Women’s Network Luncheon will feature a public speaking workshop with the theme – Speak to Influence.  This workshop will be presented by Mary Cheyne, the Founder and CEO of two communications training & coaching companies: Magnetic Podium, LLC and Heart First Communications, LLC.  She is the author of the best-selling book “Present” Yourself in Public Speaking - Tell Your Inner Critic to SHUT UP! And the Real You To SPEAK UP!  During this talk attendees will receive methods that have been shared with over 30,000 career professionals in 30 cities internationally, so they too can learn how to influence with impact. During this fun and interactive session, you will: 

• Understand the 3 most common speaking mistakes that professionals make and what to do instead so that you can have listeners leaning in and wanting more. 

• Discover the biggest difference between speaking to inform and speaking to influence, so that you can lead your listeners to an undeniable conclusion with ease.  

• Receive 3 well tested practical tools that you can use immediately in your very next meeting, conversation or presentation so you can confidently drive positive influence and impact. 

All AAAP members are welcome to purchase a ticket to this event.  Tickets can be purchased in the registration for the 2026 Annual Meeting and will cost $45 before May 1^st. 2026 and $55 after that date.  Tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis, with a capped number of tickets.  So don’t delay, get your ticket today! 

Mary's Speaker Highlights

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AAAP Keynote Speaker: Recent Research Funding in Poultry Health
Dr. John Glisson
Tuesday, July 28 at 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM

Emerging Professionals Symposium
Tuesday, July 28 at 3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
The new name reflects the inclusive nature of the event focused on AAAP student members and recent graduates. The format of the event remains the same--one hour of lectures followed by one hour of structured networking. All AAAP members are welcome to attend! 

Welcome Reception & Poster Session
Tuesday, July 28 at 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
This will be a wine and cheese event.  All registered attendees will receive 1 drink ticket that can be used for an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage during this event.

Reed Rumsey Basic Research Winner: Comparative Genomics and Virulence Assessment of Nonpathogenic Avibacterium paragallinarum Isolates Obtained from Healthy Commercial Layer Chickens
Mostafa Shelkamy, Iowa State University - 2026 Reed Rumsey Student Award for Advancement in Avian Medicine Basic Research Winner
Wednesday, July 29 at 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM

Reed Rumsey Applied Research Winner: Association of Genomic Characteristics With Virulence of Novel Avian Pathogenic E. coli Serotypes Using Sequencing and Three Animal Challenge Models
Klao Runcharoon, University of Georgia - 2026 Reed Rumsey Student Award for Advancement in Avian Medicine Applied Research Winner
Wednesday, July 29 at 2:15 PM - 2:30 PM

Rimler Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Poultry Diseases Research Winner: Serovar-specific transmission patterns of Salmonella across broiler-production stages
David Ayala-Velastegui, University of Georgia - 2026 Rimler Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Poultry Diseases Research Winner
Wednesday, July 29 at 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM

Lasher-Eckroade History Lecture: History of the Egg Drop Syndrome 1976  
Dr. Rudolf Hein
Wednesday, July 29 at 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM

Business Meeting
Thursday, July 30 at 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM

Awards Luncheon (sponsored by Zoetis)
Thursday, July 30 at 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
This awards luncheon will be held on Thursday, July 30th at 12:00 PM.  Come join us to cheer on your colleagues as they are recognized for their outstanding achievements!  We would like to thank Zoetis for sponsoring this event.

Tickets for this event cost $30.00 and can be purchased as an item in the registration form. If you have already registered and would like to attend, please call or email the AAAP office.

Phibro Poultry Graduate Student Travel Grant Winner: Antibiotic resistance and genetic characterization of Mycoplasma synoviae strains from recent outbreaks in the United States
Michael Rose Davis, University of Georgia - 2026 Phibro Poultry Graduate Student Travel Grant Winner
Thursday, July 30 at 5:15 PM - 5:30 PM

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AAAP and Poultry Science Association Joint Meeting
AAAP 70th Annual Meeting - Fort Worth, Texas
Omni Fort Worth Hotel
July 12 - July 15, 2027

 

As my term as AAAP Foundation President concludes this summer, I have reflected on the past six years. When I joined the Foundation’s leadership, my son was a freshman in high school, I had just started at Simmons Foods, and we were all navigating the challenges of COVID-19. Much has changed since then, but one thing has remained constant: the remarkable commitment of our AAAP members to the Foundation.

During this period, you have contributed more than $315,000 to support future generations—an extraordinary testament to your dedication to our professions.

Thanks to the passion and generosity of our members, the Foundation’s Scholarship Program has expanded significantly, with $189,000 in new donations and the addition of several endowed and non-endowed scholarships. Many of these funds were created to honor respected colleagues and friends within the poultry industry, and it has been inspiring to watch these accounts grow and provide meaningful opportunities for students.

Read More

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Raffle tickets are $10 each or 5 tickets for $40, unless noted otherwise. All proceeds from the raffle will go to fund AAAP scholarships. Winners will be drawn at 1:00 PM EST on July 30th. Winners will be announced on the AAAP website and also notified via email.

If you or your company is interested in sponsoring an additional item to the raffle, please contact Travis Schaal at [email protected] by May 2.

Buy Raffle Tickets Here

 

	Maine Shore Clambake Gram for Two donated by BioChek Valued at $140.00
	Apple Series 11 Watch donated by Huvepharma Valued $399.00
	Venture Portable Propane Gass Grill in Red donated by Boehringer Ingelheim Value: $165.00
	$200 Amazon Gift Card donated by Phibro Animal Health Value: $200.00
	Wine Collection and Travel Case donated by Dr. Mark Bland Due to the total value of this package, raffle tickets will be $25 per submission. Value: $1,236.00

 

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2026 Rimler Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Poultry Diseases Research
David Ayala-Velastegui, University of Georgia

2026 BioOne Ambassador Award Nominee Research

The articles are in the free-to-read portion of the collection.

AAAP is proud to be a constituent allied veterinary organization of the AVMA! Thanks to this partnership, AAAP gets representation on the AVMA House of Delegates to advocate for poultry needs in the veterinary world. In addition, AAAP has 17 members serving on 11 different AVMA committees and panels. We are proud that the poultry sector is represented in the following committees and panels: the Animal Agriculture Liaison Committee, the Animal Welfare Committee, the Clinical Practitioners Advisory Committee, the Committee on Antimicrobials, the Committee on Disaster and Emergency Issues, the Committee on Environmental Issues, the Convention Education Program Committee, the Food Safety Advisory Committee, the Legislative Advisory Committee, the Panel on Depopulation, and the Panel on Humane Slaughter.  

Additionally, in February of 2026 the AVMA released an updated version of their Guide for the Depopulation of Animals.  In this updated edition, they have divided the sections by species chapter and have a dedicated section for poultry.  To view the guide and related resources, please click the buttons below. 

View AAAP Liaisons

AVMA Depopulation Guidelines 

We would like to highlight our AAAP Emerging Leaders and other members who attended the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference. Dr. Stephanie Benedict and Dr. Meagan were AAAP’s chosen Emerging Leaders.  AAAP also sponsored our 2025 – 2026 Student Director Dr. Rana Waqar Tabish to attend this meeting as well.  We were thrilled to hear how upon attending this conference, all 3 leaders gained knowledge of the AVMA organizational structure and government as well as knowledge of how AAAP’s allied organization status gives our membership a voice in poultry related veterinary discussions.  We are so excited to see how these young leaders will apply the leadership skills they learned from this conference to their current and future involvements within the AAAP. 

In order for AAAP to continue to be recognized as an allied veterinary association of the AVMA, we need your help! 

To remain a constituent member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, AAAP needs to showcase that we have the required threshold of members who are also AVMA members. Please consider joining the AVMA or renewing your membership.  

Being a constituent member of the AVMA provides AAAP and its members benefits that impact the veterinary profession and poultry industry. This includes: 

1. Having two representatives representing the poultry sector within the AVMA House of Delegates. 
2. Getting access to the AVMA Governmental Relations Division, which influences Congress on legislation. 
3. Providing representatives on AVMA committees which influence AVMA's positions on topics such as antimicrobial usage, animal welfare, and telemedicine. 

That's not even including the tangible benefits AVMA members receive, such as access to insurance, retirement benefits, professional publications, career services, crisis management resources, and more.  The AVMA is AAAP's vehicle to influencing policy decisions for the veterinary profession and advocating for the poultry industry, so it is vital that AAAP members join the AVMA. 

Click the button below to join or renew your AVMA membership! 

Join/Renew Your AVMA Membership