The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recently announced the selection of the department’s new state veterinarian. Dr. Nora Wineland, will replace Dr. James Averill in that role effective November 5, 2018.

Wineland comes to MDARD from the US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, where she is currently the director of the Center for Animal Welfare. She received her bachelor’s degree in veterinary science, as well as her DVM, from Michigan State University. She earned her Master of Science degree from Colorado State University.

The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MSU VDL), part of the College of Veterinary Medicine, always has had a close working relationship with MDARD’s Animal Industry Division (AID) and the state veterinarian. Under the leadership of Averill and Dr. Rachel Reams, MSU VDL director, that relationship has been strengthened throughout the past three years.

In addition to routine and emergent reporting and collaboration on reportable diseases, animal disease investigations, and surveillance, the laboratory director and state veterinarian co-host quarterly meetings, emergency preparedness table-top exercises, and collaborative training sessions for their staff. In addition, the director and state veterinarian meet on a regular basis with other key veterinary and human health administrators from state and federal organizations to discuss human health issues of concern to Michigan and the area.

The MSU VDL welcomes Wineland to Michigan’s One Health community and looks forward to working with her to continue efforts to protect animal health throughout the state.