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Former college administrator to lead world veterinary group

Dr. Colin Burrows

Dr. Colin Burrows, an emeritus professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and former chairman of the college’s department of small animal clinical sciences, has been selected president of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.

His new position was effective Oct. 31 and his term will last until Sept. 15, 2014, according to an announcement from the WSAVA.

Burrows’ official presidential term was due to start in September 2014, subject to ratification by the WSAVA’s General Assembly. However, his appointment was brought forward after the group’s previous president, Jolle Kirpensteijn, moved to a new role with Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

“The WSAVA will be forever grateful to Jolle, who has been an active and incredibly effective WSAVA president and will be a very hard act to follow,” said Burrows in a press release from the organization. “I hope to continue and enhance his many priorities, including the WSAVA’s work in One Health and our efforts to eliminate rabies. We are also trying to find solutions to many other issues, including the limited availability of medications for companion animals in many parts of the world. This leads to great inconsistencies in the level of treatment which can be provided in key areas, such as pain management.”

He said the WSAVA must continue its efforts to enhance its World Congresses and other educational programs with the overall goal of improving veterinary post-graduate education, and by extension, patient care, around the globe.

The WSAVA is an umbrella organization representing 180,000 veterinarians globally through 95 member associations. Its key goal is to enhance the quality of veterinary care for companion animals globally with its work delivered through global committees focusing on key areas, such as continuing education; pain management, nutrition and vaccination.

These committees work to deliver best practice guidelines and tools which are practical and relevant to veterinarians anywhere in the world. The eradication of rabies is a particular focus, with the WSAVA One Health Committee set to host a major symposium in Paris in November 2013 in conjunction with the World Organization of Animal Health to explore strategies to control it.