AAHA ushers in new leadership, branding at annual meeting

Phoenix

-- The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is in new hands following the naming of several new officers and directors at its annual conference in Phoenix last month.

John Tait, DVM, was selected as the association's new president. After getting his start in business, with a certified financial planner degree from the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning at the University of Toronto and an MBA from McMaster University in Ontario, Tait went on to earn his DVM from the University of Guelph. He is now a managing partner of the Ontario Veterinary Group in Toronto and works as a part-time assistant professor and externship coordinator for the Ontario Veterinary College Department of Clinical Studies.

Dr. Gregg Takashima will take over as the new president-elect. He was a Hubbs Seaworld associate and earned an NOAH and Sea Grant Fellowship in marine ecology before earning his veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota. Takashima now owns GKT Contract Veterinary Services, is a member of the Portland Veterinary Medical Association, a board member of the Dove Lewis Memorial Emergency and Critical Care Animal Hospital, and a member of AAHA's Practice Team and Membership Audit and Control committees since 2000.

The new vice president-elect is Michael Moyer, VMD, who has previously served AAHA as a member of the Hospital Services Committee, Leadership Council and as a student advocate. He is the Rosenthal director of shelter animal medicine and owns Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital in Bensalem, Pa.

New directors added to the AAHA ranks include Janna Poll, MBA, SPHR, CMPE, as practice manager director; Sally Ryan, DVM, as director; and Aman Sukhija as a new member of the Board of Directors.

In addition to welcoming new leadership, the association adopted a new logo and tagline at its annual meeting. The new tagline, "The Standard of Veterinary Excellence," represents the mission of the association and highlights the importance of accreditation.