Lonnie King appointed chair of Appalachia advisory board

Lonnie King, DVMLonnie King, DVM, MS, DACVPM, the former dean of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, has been appointed chair of the Center for Animal Health in Appalachia (CAHA) Advisory Board, according to a center release.

"Dr. Lonnie King's vast experience in the field of veterinary medicine and animal agriculture and his expert knowledge in the "One Health" arena makes him the ideal leader to guide our team as we work to improve animal and public health issues in Appalachia and beyond," says Jason Johnson, DVM, DACT, MS, CAHA executive director. "Dr. King's experience and dynamic leadership will guide CAHA to envision the future of veterinary medicine and furthermore, spur us to develop education, research, outreach, advocacy, and new markets that ensure a bright future for veterinary medicine."

Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) formed CAHA at the DeBusk Veterinary Teaching Center in Lee County, Virginia. CAHA focuses on the unique challenges facing animal and public health in the 13-state Appalachian region. LMU-CVM and CAHA also conduct research and administrative activities on the LMU main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee. 

Previously, King served as dean for 10 years at Michigan State University, following 19 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service as both deputy administrator for veterinary services and administrator for the agency. While serving as the agency's chief veterinary officer, he worked extensively in global trade agreements and has testified before Congress on issues of emerging diseases and animal health.

A member of the National Academies of Science, King is also boarded by the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Most recently he directed the National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne and Enteric Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control, and currently serves as vice chair of the Obama Administration's recently established Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. King received his bachelor's degree and doctor of veterinary medicine degree from The Ohio State University, a master's degree in epidemiology from the University of Minnesota, and a master's degree in public administration from American University, the release states. 

For more information about CAHA, visit vetmed.lmunet.edu/caha or email CAHA@LMUnet.edu.