The AAVMC has chosen Dr. Erica Behling-Kelly as one of two 2020 Faculty Fellows.

Behling-Kelly is an associate professor  in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences and serves as director of the Clinical Pathology Laboratory. The dates for her fellowship are April 13 through May 15, 2020.

Dr. Melissa Bain from the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine was selected as the other 2020 Faculty Fellow.

The AAVMC launched the Faculty Fellows Program in 2015 to bring faculty representatives from member institutions to Washington D.C. to develop leadership skills in the advocacy arena, explore the implications of public policy decisions on the profession and gain overall knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process at the federal level.

The fellowship is also designed to help participants use their knowledge and experience to work as leaders in advocacy and public policy at their home institutions.

Behling-Kelly, who also participated in the AAVMC’s Leadership Academy, wrote that, “In light of an increasing awareness, I now seek to expand my understanding of the processes and mechanics involved in enacting change.”

Fellows also work with the AAVMC’s Director of Governmental Affairs Kevin Cain to learn more about the AAVMC’s advocacy work and how the AAVMC connects with the federal government.

Under the program, a maximum of two fellows are chosen per fiscal year for fellowships that last six-to-eight weeks, depending upon AAVMC resources and advocacy issues, the issues to be studied, the congressional calendar, and the fellow(s) availability.

Each fellow remains on their employer’s payroll and receives a $10,000 stipend from the AAVMC to cover expenses, with special consideration given to nominees who have exhibited leadership skills, especially in the areas of advocacy and government.  

Another version of this story originally appeared in the January 2020 issue of the AAVMC's Vet-Med Educator newsletter