Dr. Allen Roussel, professor and associate department head at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, has been named the next American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Large Animal Internal Medicine (ACVIM LAIM) Specialty President Elect.

The mission of the ACVIM is to eliminate animal disease by supporting discovery, education, and partnerships throughout the global community of medicine. ACVIM supports the work of scientists that raises awareness for specialty medicine, the need for advanced care, and research for future cures. Dr. Roussel’s specialty is with large animal internal medicine.

Roussel begins his leadership role with the ACVIM LAIM at a time when there is a nationwide shortage of large animal veterinarians, and yet they have an important part to play in protecting public health. Large animal veterinarians have had a role in ensuring the safety of the food supply through disease surveillance, improving herd health, and the development of new diagnostic and treatment modalities. ACVIM specialists in private practice provide the highest level care to large animals at referral hospitals throughout the country, while those at university teaching hospitals instruct students and post-graduate trainees in the latest methods of diagnosis and treatment.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as president of the specialty of Large Animal Internal Medicine” said Roussel. “We are faced with challenges in both the private and public sector in this period of economic uncertainty, but our membership has the will and the know-how to meet any challenge head-on and continue to advance the profession.”

Roussel will begin his term as the president elect in June of 2010, and become the president in June of 2011.