AAEP welcomes a new president and 3 board members

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) installed a new president and elected 3 members to its’ board of directors on December 2, 2023. The leadership changes were made during the President’s Luncheon at the organization’s annual convention in San Diego.^1-4

Photos courtesy of the American Association of Equine Practitioners

Katherine Garrett, DVM, DACVS,

Katherine Garrett, DVM, DACVS, director of diagnostic imaging at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, took the reigns as AAEP president. “It is an honor to serve as AAEP president alongside so many talented and committed volunteer leaders,” said Garrett, in an organizational release.¹ “I look forward to continuing our work on behalf of the membership and the horse.”

Garrett is a 2003 graduate of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York, and joined the AAEP that same year. She has since served on the board of directors from 2015 to 2017, has chaired multiple committees, and anchored the AAEP Annual Convention’s Kester New Hour from 2019 to 2021.¹

Prior to her current role, Garrett completed 2 internships with Rood and Riddle before continuing her career with the hospital as a practicing associate. Her professional interests include musculoskeletal MRI and upper airway imaging.¹

The newly elected board members were also announced during the luncheon. They are equine podiatrist Raul Bras, DVM, CJF, a faculty member at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh; Sara Langsam, VMD, a partner at Teigland, Franklin and Brokken (TFB) DVMs, Inc. based in South Florida, and manager of its Belmont Park division; and Erin Contino, DVM, DACVSMR, associate professor of equine sport medicine and rehabilitation at Colorado State University (CSU) College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Fort Collins.^2-4

Raul Bras, DVM, CJF

Braus earned his veterinary degree at Ross University in St. Kitts and Nevis in 2005 and completed the farrier program at Cornell University. He completed his residency at Rood and Riddle and continued his career with the practice as an associate in the podiatry department until October 2023.²

Sara Langsam, VMD

Langsam completed her veterinary degree in 2002 at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and also completed an internship at Rood and Riddle. She soon joined TFB and ascended to partner in 2009, eventually expanding the practice to provide year-round services to Belmont Park clients in Elmont, New York. Her activity with AAEP includes serving on committees, as chair of the racing committee, and as an on-call veterinary spokesperson for the organization during races.³

Erin Contino, DVM, DACVSMR

Contino received her veterinary degree from CSU, and completed an internship at Pioneer Equine Hospital, Oakdale, California, before returning to Colorado. Following a 3-year residency in equine sports medicine and musculoskeletal ultrasound, she joined the faculty. She has also served as the chair of multiple AAEP committees and programs.⁴

Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, the AAEP is dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the veterinary profession and equine industry. The nonprofit organization currently reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its more than 9000 members worldwide.^1-4

References

1. Diagnostic imaging expert from Kentucky to lead the AAEP in 2024. News release. American Association of Equine Practitioners. December 2, 2023. Accessed December 3, 2023. https://aaep.org/node/38180
2. Dr. Raul Bras elected to AAEP Board of Directors. News release. American Association of Equine Practitioners. December 2, 2023. Accessed December 3, 2023. https://aaep.org/node/38173
3. New York-based racetrack practitioner elected to AAEP board of directors. News release. American Association of Equine Practitioners. December 2, 2023. Accessed December 3, 2023. https://aaep.org/node/38175
4. Equine sports medicine professor at Colorado State University elected to AAEP Board of Directors. American Association of Equine Practitioners. December 2, 2023. Accessed December 3, 2023. https://aaep.org/node/38174