E-Insight

September 2005

AAVMC Creates Disaster Relief Fund

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges has created a relief fund to help member institutions affected by natural disaster.

In a letter from Dr. Lawrence Heider, DVM, DACVPM, Executive Director of the AAVMC, to deans and department heads of veterinary programs, Dr. Heider wrote: “Hurricane Katrina has taken a toll on the health and lives of people and animals. It became apparent to the AAVMC that in the wake of the disaster that a fund needed to be established for grants to member institutions that incur expenses in their disaster relief efforts. The Board of Directors has established the AAVMC Disaster Fund to provide grants to member institutions for unbudgeted, non-reimbursed expenses incurred in disaster relief activities.”

The AAVMC has established the fund with an initial allocation of $20,000. Donations to the AAVMC Disaster Fund made through its member institutions and others will be matched by the AAVMC up to a total of $50,000, creating the potential to establish a $100,000 fund.

Wrote Dr. Heider: “It is the hope of the AAVMC that the accessibility and solicitation to colleagues by leaders in our member institutions will have a great impact on contributions to the AAVMC Disaster Fund. With this help, we hope to be able to provide assistance for relief efforts undertaken by our member institutions.” For additional information on the AAVMC Disaster Fund, visit their Web site at: www.aavmc.org.