Our goal : "To promote scientific investigations and their application to the advancement of knowledge in this field and to provide mutual assistance to participating laboratories in solving problems."
Founded in 1995, we are a non-profit organization made up of laboratory directors, section leaders and bench top technologists from government, academic and industry laboratories within the heartland. This peer based group consists of more than 40 science professionals from the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Our meetings are held every year in relation to the national meeting at various locations. Each meeting is a symposium on techniques in veterinary microbiology consisting of guest speakers, vendor demonstrations, business session, general session and discussion sessions. Based on the "round table" format, the discussion sessions are held for Bacteriology/Microbiology and Molecular/Virology sections. Each section reviews problems and procedures of interest.
"It is indeed ...satisfying to see how the chapter has grown and respond to the changes in our profession. We, as laboratory professionals, can take great pride in the service we provide to our clients, our states and our country.
Our ever-changing and expanding duties as microbiologists, which now include the threats of global terrorism and pandemic disease outbreaks, place an increasing importance on keeping our knowledge current and our results accurate and reproducible. It is gratifying to know that the AVM is a great mechanism to help us achieve this goal. We also welcome the inclusion of industry representatives whose exhibits, knowledge and financial support are a valuable asset to the annual meeting."
-AVM Heartland Chapter President Bob Stolen 2007, 13th Annual Chapter Meeting President's Address, Madison WI
