American Veterinary Medical History Society
HISTORY OF AVMHS
The American Veterinary Medical History Society was initially formed in 1978 by a group of interested veterinarians to recall the past and relate it in an interesting fashion to their colleagues in the present, and to collect and place in suitable archives the record of "remembered" past from as many sources as possible.
Founded by J. Fred Smithcors, DVM, PhD with William E. Ryan, DVM, the Society held its first formal meeting at the American Veterinary Medical Association convention in Dallas, Texas in 1978.
Initially, it was known as the American Veterinary History Society, until the name was changed in 1999 to the American Veterinary Medical History Society. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization.
The organizing group of charter members were made up of those interested in studying and preserving books, photographs, and artifacts of the past and present. Even today, members still have many diverse interests, such as being avid readers of primary and secondary historical resource materials, as genealogists seeking background information on veterinarians of the past, or as collectors of books, prints, medallions, stamps, logos, diplomas, patent medicine and advertising items, antique veterinary instruments, postcards, and more. Topics of interest also vary from American Civil War and military veterinary medicine to advancements in clinical practice as 19th century "horse doctors" transitioned to modern companion animal practitioners.
The Society held its 25th Anniversary in Denver in 2003.
TIME LINE OF HIGHLIGHTS and MILESTONES
1978
First Formal Organizational Meeting
The American Veterinary Historical Society held its first formal meeting and program at the AVMA Convention in Dallas, Texas in July, 1978..
1983
Bylaws were presented and approved
At the sixth annual meeting held at the AVMA Convention in New York City in 1983, Revised Bylaws were presented and approved.
1983
Veterinary Heritage began publication
The Society began publishing a semi-annual journal titled, Veterinary Heritage: Bulletin of the American Veterinary Historical Society, beginning with vol.6, No. 2, April, 1983. In included minutes of the annual meetings as well as original research articles on veterinary history.
1991
Student Veterinary History Essay Contest established
Dr. Robert R. Shomer of New Jersey established an essay contest in honor of Dr. J. Fred Smithcors. It was open to any veterinary student to research and write on a topic related to veterinary history.
1995
Essay contest prizes supported by Merck & Company
Beginning in 1995 and continuing through 2009, prize money for winning student essays was generously provided Merck & Company in association with The Merck Veterinary Manual.
1998
Society was re-incorporated as the American Veterinary Medical History Society
When the Society was re-incorporated in 1998, its name was changed from the American Veterinary HIstorical Society to the American Veterinary Medical History Society.
1999
News & Comment newsletter was begun
A News & Comment column first appeared in an issue of Veterinary Heritage by Dr. Phyllis H. Larsen who served as reporter. Later separate separate newsletter issues were produced known as Interim News & Comment.
2000
AVMHS Website created
The Society's first Website was created for and hosted at the University of Missouri by Dr. Robert C. McClure.
2005
XXXVII WAHVM International Congress hosted in United States
The Society hosted the XVII International Congress of the World Association for the History of Veterinary Medicine (WAHVM) held in Minneapolis, Minnesota in July, 2005.
2006
Registry of Heritage Veterinary Practices established
The Society initiated the Registry of Heritage Veterinary Practices at the suggestion of then president Dr. Gary Vroegindewey following the annual meeting in Washington, D.C. in 2006. It recognizes and honors veterinary practices that have been in continuous operation for more than 50 years of service to their communities.
2008
First regional history meeting was held
Organized by Dr. Howard Erickson, the first regional veterinary history meeting with speakers was held in conjunciton with the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association meeting held in Manhattan, Kansas.
2009
"Time-Bites" mini-history stories began publication
Initiated by Dr. Phyllis H. Larsen in 2009, AVMHS members began creating a series of mini-stories related to the history of veterinary medicine known as "Time-Bites." They are published exclusively on the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) for the benefit of practicing veterinarians and veterinary students.
2012
Elizabeth Atwood Lawrence essay contest prizes established
Prizes that are awarded to veterinary students in the AVMHS history essay contest were named in honor of Dr. Elizabeth Atwood Lawrence who served twice as AVMHS president and as a contest judge. This was made possible through the generosity of the Donaldson Charitable Trust.
2013
Smithcors Symposium on Veterinary HIstory was held
In association with the 150th anniversary of the American Veterinary Medical Association, a daylong Smithcors Symposium on Veterinary History was sponsored by AVMHS and organized by Dr. Howard H. Erickson. Attendees received AVMA CE credit for each of the eight presentations.
2015
History talks included on AVMA CE program
At the AVMA Convention held in Boston in July, 2015, four speaker presentations were included on the annual AVMA Continuing Education Program for which attendees could received CE credit. Arrangements for this "first" were organized by then president Dr. Boris Brglez.