2026 Annual Meeting & Conference
In September, the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) hosted its 2026 Annual Meeting & Conference (AMC) in Providence, Rhode Island. The event brought together veterinary regulators, professionals, and stakeholders from around the world.
Throughout the four-day gathering, attendees participated in committee meetings, optional workshops, and educational sessions. At the Delegate Assembly Meeting, voting began with open AAVSB Board of Directors and other leadership positions. Delegates also voted on and passed a number of bylaws, resolutions, and model documents. The educational sessions focused on artificial intelligence in the regulatory space, data collection, and a panel on advancing veterinary technician education and support.
In addition to formal sessions and meetings, the AAVSB held an exclusive Volunteer Reception to honor the many individuals who dedicate their time and expertise to the association. The event served as an opportunity to thank them for their contributions to the AAVSB and veterinary regulation throughout the past year. The reception also recognized those who completed their terms in 2026.
Guests enjoyed drinks and light appetizers during the reception. Each participant received a commemorative 2026 volunteer pin, while those who concluded their terms were gifted portable coolers.
The AAVSB understands the importance of setting aside time together in person to celebrate and show our gratitude to these volunteers. Without their tireless efforts, the organization could not fulfill its mission and support Member Boards.
At this year’s highly anticipated Friday Night Event, attendees donned ponchos and braved the rain for some nighttime fun at the Roger Williams Park Zoo. The park was open to AMC participants and their guests to explore and view the animals, including elephants and giraffes. Visitors also had the opportunity to participate in animal encounters, including meeting tortoises and petting armadillos.
Both the Volunteer Reception and the zoo created moments for attendees to relax and talk about something other than regulation. These events further strengthened existing relationships and created new connections.
New AAVSB Leadership
The AAVSB is pleased to announce its new President and members of the 2026-2027 Board of Directors. Elections were held at the 2026 Annual Meeting & Conference (AMC) in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday, September 26, 2026. At the meeting, Dr. Sheila Dodson entered her term as President of the Board of Directors.
AAVSB Board of Directors Election Results
Dr. Holly Lunsford was elected to the position of President-elect following her recent service on the Board of Directors. After serving as President-elect, she shall succeed to the office of President and Immediate Past President. Dr. Lunsford started serving with the AAVSB in 2024 as a Director on the AAVSB Board of Directors. Since 2025, Dr. Lunsford has served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Oklahoma State Veterinary Board. She previously served as Vice President in 2024-2025. In addition to these positions, she is owner and practitioner of Lawtonka Animal Chiropractic and Veterinary Hospital in Lawton, OK.
Ms. Amy Haywood, LVT was elected to the position of Treasurer. Ms. Haywood started her service with the AAVSB in 2017 as a member of the VTNE Committee. Most recently, Ms. Haywood served on the AAVSB Board of Directors as Treasurer from 2024-2026. Since 2014, Ms. Haywood has served on the District of Columbia Board of Veterinary Medicine as a member. In addition to these positions, Ms. Haywood is a Practice Consultant for the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
Ms. Amy Holleman, CPM was elected Director. Ms. Holleman has served with the AAVSB on the Leadership Development Committee since 2025. She currently serves as Board Executive of the South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and Board of Dentistry from 2023 to present.
Dr. Robyn Jaynes was elected to the position of Director. Dr. Jaynes started serving with the AAVSB in 2019 as a member of the Leadership Development Committee. She served as Committee Chair from 2023-2025. In 2017, Dr. Jaynes began her appointment on the Arizona Veterinary Medical Examining Board where she currently serves as a member. In addition to these positions, Dr. Jaynes is Director of Veterinary Affairs for PetSmart Charities.
Ms. Jennifer Pedigo, EMBA was elected to the position of Director. Ms. Pedigo started her service with the AAVSB in 2018 as a Programs and Services Think Tank Ad-hoc Group member. Her most recent position with the AAVSB was on the Board of Directors as a Director from 2024-2026. Since 2016, Ms. Pedigo has served as the Executive Director of the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
Introducing the AAVSB 2026 –2027 Board of Directors
Officers and Executive Committee
- Immediate Past President – Timothy Kolb, DVM (Ohio)
- President – Sheila Dodson, DVM (Kansas)
- President-elect – Holly Lunsford, DVM (Oklahoma)
- Treasurer – Amy Haywood, LVT (District of Columbia)
- Secretary – James Penrod, AAVSB CEO (non-voting)
Directors
- Jennifer Pedigo, EMBA, Affiliate Member (Nevada)
- Christina Bradbury, DVM (California)
- Robin Lazaro, RVT (North Carolina)
- Michael Pfander, DVM (Missouri)
- Amy Holleman, CPM, Affiliate Member (South Carolina)
- Robyn Jaynes, DVM (Arizona)
Additional Election Results
Delegates also elected two additional leadership positions.
Dr. Frank Walker was elected as an AAVSB Representative to the ICVA (Veterinarian). Dr. Walker is an AAVSB Associate Member and has previously served as an AAVSB Representative to the ICVA in 2021-2024.
Ms. Britney McMahan, JD and Executive Director of the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medicine, was elected to the Nominating Committee.
Access the Educational Sessions
Welcome to the central hub for all presentation materials and recordings from the 2026 Annual Meeting & Conference. This section gives attendees and community members easy access to the valuable content shared during our educational sessions.
Whether you’re revisiting a favorite talk or catching up on sessions you missed, you’ll find everything you need right here.
Regulatory Boards as Champions for Informed Veterinary Workforce Policy: Standardized Data Collection
Dr. Hannah L. Maxey
Dr. Hannah L. Maxey is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Director of the Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy at Indiana University School of Medicine, where she leads initiatives to strengthen the health workforce, improve data infrastructure, and expand access to care. She is also a founding partner of Veritas Health Solutions. Veritas Health Solutions advises health care organizations and public sector clients on strategy, policy, and workforce development. A nationally recognized expert, Dr. Maxey has over 20 years of experience. Experience including advising state and federal leaders, provided legislative testimony, and served on key Indiana health workforce and public health commissions. Dr. Maxey’s research and leadership continue to shape health workforce policy and public health systems across the United States, with a focus on sustainable, data-driven, and community centered solutions.
Friday, September 25th: 1:30-2:30pm
Regulatory Boards as Champions for Informed Veterinary Workforce Policy: Standardized Data Collection
Sound veterinary workforce policy depends on sound workforce data, yet across the country, state policymakers and program leaders are making high-stakes decisions about the animal health workforce without reliable, profession-specific information.
State veterinary regulatory boards sit at the intersection of professional oversight and public protection. Which gives them a strategic vantage point and a data collection opportunity that no other entity can match.
The session will examine why standardized data collection across states is critical to understanding veterinary workforce trends at both the state and national level. Dr. Maxey will introduce the Cross Profession Minimum Data Set (CPMDS), a practical, field-tested resource originally developed for health care. The CPMDS can help veterinary regulatory boards collect consistent, comparable workforce data across professions and jurisdictions.
Shared Perspectives, Shared Progress: Advancing Veterinary Technician Education, Credentialing, and Support
Leaders from the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities, Association of Veterinary Technician Educators, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
AAVSB – Channing Benson, Program Manager, Exams
The American Association of Veterinary State Boards is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with its headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas. They are an association of veterinary medicine regulatory boards whose core purpose is to ensure and enhance the welfare of the public and animals. The AAVSB’s leadership and comprehensive resources support and advance veterinary medicine regulation.
CVTEA – Dr. Beth Thompson, Associate Director
The AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities accredits undergraduate programs in veterinary technology within the United States and internationally. As the sole recognized accrediting body for veterinary technology programs in the U.S., the CVTEA’s mission statement developed in 2001, states its intent: to shape the future of veterinary medicine by promoting veterinary technology and the veterinary professional team through education, quality, integrity, service, leadership, and collegiality.
AVTE – Tricia Gorham, AVTE Past President
The Association of Veterinary Technician Educators is a community dedicated to supporting student success in veterinary technician education. The mission of the Association shall be to promote quality professional education of the veterinary technician student. In addition, they are dedicated to facilitating lifelong learning and professional development by providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas to stimulate improvement in veterinary technician education.
CVMA – Heather Quilty, Co-Chair AHTVTPAC, CVMA
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association establishes the veterinary profession as the key influencer in shaping national legislation, regulation, policy, and social narrative on matters of animal health and welfare, and veterinary public health. The CVMA gives voice and support to Canadian veterinary professionals as they work to sustain and enhance animal health and welfare, veterinary public health, and the well-being of all.
NAVTA – Jennifer Serling, NAVTA President
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America is a diverse community of Credentialed Veterinary Technicians, students, and Veterinary Assistants, united in advancing the profession of veterinary nursing through strategic advocacy, awareness, and professional development.
Friday, September 25th 3:45-4:45pm
Shared Perspectives, Shared Progress: Advancing Veterinary Technician Education, Credentialing, and Support
Leaders from the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), Association of Veterinary Technician Educators (AVTE), Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), and National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) are coming together to explore opportunities to strengthen veterinary technician education, credentialing, regulation, and professional support.
During this interactive panel, representatives will share progress on collaborative efforts, discuss what they have learned through this work, and invite attendees to ask questions and share perspectives as the collaboration moves forward.
AI-Powered Complaint Triage: Practical Tools and Governance for Veterinary Regulators
Frank B. Meyers, JD
Frank Meyers is Director of Regulatory Innovation & Member Services at the Federation of State Medical Boards. Where he leads initiatives on governance, regulatory modernization, and the responsible use of AI in healthcare regulation. He helps boards assess physicians’ use of AI and apply it to functions like complaint triage. Previously, he spent over a decade in state regulation, serving in legal and executive roles in Missouri and Washington, DC. A frequent national and international speaker on healthcare regulation, he has also served on the FSMB Board, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission, and multiple national workgroups on telemedicine, emergency preparedness, and board governance.
Saturday, September 26th: 3:45-4:45pm
AI-Powered Complaint Triage: Practical Tools and Governance for Veterinary Regulators
This session will describe a practical approach to using AI to support complaint intake and triage workflows for veterinary regulatory organizations. Using real-world regulatory scenarios, the presentation will walk through how modern AI tools can help identify key allegations, extract critical facts, flag risk indicators, and route matters for appropriate follow-up–while maintaining human oversight and clear accountability.
Attendees will learn an implementation-minded framework that emphasizes transparency, auditability, and bias/quality controls. Including how to set guardrails, validate outputs, and document decision-making. The session will also address common operational questions (what data is appropriate to use, how to manage confidentiality, how to evaluate vendor claims, and how to communicate limits to staff and stakeholders).
The talk can adapt to the audience’s interests and can include a short demonstration and/or deeper discussion of governance, policy considerations, and change management. Participants will leave with concrete steps and a checklist to evaluate and pilot AI-enabled triage in a way that improves consistency and efficiency without compromising fairness or trust.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As we reflect on the insights from this year’s conference, it’s also time to start preparing for next year!
We encourage all Members to begin selecting their 2027 voting delegates in advance of our next meeting.
Save the Date
Join us in early October 2027 for the next Annual Meeting & Conference in Omaha, Nebraska.
We look forward to another inspiring and impactful event.
Read more about Leadership and Governance, including Bylaws and Resolutions – here.
Learn about volunteer opportunities with the AAVSB – here.
About the AAVSB: The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. We are an association of veterinary medicine regulatory boards whose membership includes licensing bodies in 63 jurisdictions, including all of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and ten Canadian provinces.