Dr. René Carlson, former president of AVMA as well as WVA, dies
Dr. René Carlson, who served as president of the American Veterinary medical association (AVMA) as well as the world Veterinary association (WVA), has died.
“René was an remarkable leader as well as voice for our profession,” stated Dr. John de Jong, president of the AVMA. “She had been incredibly strong these past few years as she battled her illness as well as fought with the optimism as well as dignity that we will always keep in mind her for. Personally, I will always keep in mind her positive energy, her humility as well as her like of her husband, the AVMA as well as the profession.”
A resident of Chetek, Wis., Dr. Carlson graduated from the university of Minnesota college of Veterinary medicine in 1978 as well as served as a little animal practitioner in Wisconsin for a number of years before handling an active function in AVMA leadership. In addition to serving as AVMA president from 2011-2012, Dr. Carlson handled a number of other leadership functions at the AVMA as a member of the AVMA home of Delegates, the AVMA Council on Education, as well as as AVMA vice president. She likewise served as the AVMA director of worldwide affairs as well as as chair of the association’s committee on worldwide Veterinary Affairs.
In 2014, Dr. Carlson was elected president of the WVA. “It’s amazing. I’m this person from a town of 2,000 people in Wisconsin, as well as I’m president of an worldwide organization representing fellow veterinarians around the world,” she stated in a 2017 interview with JAVMA News.
At the 2018 Convention in Denver, Dr. Carlson was honored with a lifetime honorary membership in the WVA as well as the AVMA awarded her with the worldwide Veterinary service award for promoting veterinary medicine worldwide.
Dr. Carlson is survived by her husband, Dr. mark Carlson, who was likewise her veterinary institution classmate.
“Dr. Carlson’s accomplishments are reflective of her lifelong commitment as well as commitment to the veterinary profession,” stated Dr. Janet Donlin, AVMA chief executive officer. “We will all miss René so much, as she had such a profound effect on all of us as well as our occupation for so long. let us all keep her husband, Mark, as well as her household in our prayers as well as thoughts.”
The household suggests sending memorial contributions in Dr. Carlson’s name to the American Veterinary medical Foundation, the Chetek Lutheran Church or the university of Minnesota, where plans are underway to establish a scholarship in her name.
For more information, get in touch with Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations specialist, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell), or msanfilippo@avma.org.