The American Heartworm Society was founded in early 1974 by a group of veterinary practitioners and scientists concerned about heartworm disease. Since then, the Society has continued to thrive and grow. Active membership is open to all veterinarians and scientists with interests in any aspect of heartworm disease. Membership as a Subscriber or Student Member is also available to other individuals interested in keeping abreast of the latest developments in this area.
The American Heartworm Society is governed by an Executive Board made up of veterinary practitioners, academicians and researchers. Executive board members are actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the Society and volunteer hundreds of hours of time in the Society’s service. Only members in private clinical practice may serve as President. To reach any of our board members, send an email to info@heartwormsociety.org.
The American Heartworm Society is an international organization, with members from five continents and 13 countries.
Officers
President
Marisa Ames, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), is an Associate Professor of Cardiology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and AHS Triennial Symposium Program Co-Chair.
Immediate Past President
Dr. Jenni Rizzo works in general and ER veterinary practices in Texas and Florida, and is the President and Founder of IntroVet®, an introvert-friendly continuing education community for veterinarians and technicians.
Vice President
Lisa Young, DVM, is Clinical Leader in Pet Health Parasiticides at Elanco Animal Health in Greenfield, Indiana.
Secretary/Treasurer
Uri Donnett, DVM, MS, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice), is Chief Veterinarian at the Dane County Humane Society in Madison, Wisconsin.
Editor
Lindsay Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), is a tenured Associate Professor of Parasitology at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Research Chair
Charles Thomas (Tom) Nelson, DVM, is Medical Director at the Animal Medical Centers of N.E. Alabama, based in Anniston, Alabama.
Symposium Program Chair
Andrew Moorhead, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), is an Associate Professor at North Carolina State University in the Department of Clinical Sciences in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Executive Board Members
Lyric Bartholomay, PhD is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences in Madison, Wisconsin.
Blue Brawner, MS, DVM, is the owner of PetVet Animal Health Center in Auburn, Alabama.
Autumn Brehm, DVM is transitioning to Medical Director at Rowland Veterinary Services, Inc. in New Tazewell, Tennessee.
W. Mark Cousins, DVM, DABVP (Feline Medicine), retired after 43 years of practicing feline medicine and as the owner of The Cat Practice Veterinary Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Cindy Culpepper, DVM is the owner and lead veterinarian at Paws and Claws Animal Medical Center in Dunedin, Florida.
Aliya Magee, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology), is the Cardiology Section Chief and Assistant Professor of Veterinary Cardiology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Julie Parks, DVM is a Relief Veterinarian at Gingles Animal Clinic in Long Beach, Mississippi and Saucier Veterinary Hospital in Saucier, Mississippi.
Ex-Officio - Non-Voting
Chris Adolph, DVM, MS, DACVM (Parasitology), is a Veterinary Specialist (Parasitology) at Zoetis based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jason Drake, DVM, DACVM-Parasitology, is the Director, Scientific Marketing Affairs for Global Companion Animal Parasiticides at Merck Animal Health, Rahway, NJ.
Cameon Ohmes, DVM, MS, DACVIM-LA, MBA leads the pet business medical education and technical strategic initiatives at Boehringer Ingelheim in Duluth, GA.
Julie Legred, AAS, CVT is Co-Founder of Veterinary Advancements and Veterinary Education Program Manager for Edcetera. She resides in Bricelyn, Minnesota.
John W. McCall, MS, PhD, is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Infectious Diseases at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens, Georgia.
AHS Association Management Team
Sease Management, LLC serves as the Association Management Team of the American Heartworm Society. Please contact the following persons for specific needs:
Sonya Hennessy, Executive Director
Sease Management, LLC
sonya.hennessy@heartwormsociety.org
Maggie Pierce, Association Manager
Sease Management, LLC
maggie.pierce@heartwormsociety.org
Public Relations
Sue O'Brien
SKO’Brien Communications
obriensuek@gmail.com
