AVMA Washington bureau names assistant director

SCHAUMBURG, ILL. — The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has hired Dr. Bobby Nichols to serve as assistant director of the group's Governmental Relations Division (GRD).

Nichols is responsible for monitoring activities of Congress and federal regulatory agencies while acting as the profession's liaison with government officials. On Nichols' watch are Homeland Security, emergency response, research, food safety and public health issues.

The former small animal practitioner and 2003 Cornell University graduate replaces Dr. Ray Stock, who left the post earlier this year to pursue other interests. As a student, Nichols served as ambassador for the college's public affairs office and social chair of AVMA's student chapter. In 2002, he worked as a GRD student extern and lobbied Congress to help relieve the debt burden for veterinary students.

Nichols' goal is to increase the earning potential of DVMs.

"The biggest problem we face as a profession is relatively low salary in comparison to other health professions," he says. "Fortunately, for a variety of reasons, we are well positioned to improve our financial health while maintaining our reputation as ethical and compassionate professionals. I am excited to play a direct role in this improvement at the federal legislative level."