A 42-year AVMA member and College of Veterinary Medicine graduate Robert Murtaugh, ’80 DVM, MS, has announced his run to be the next president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). 

Murtaugh is one of three candidates vying for the top spot and is campaigning on a platform aimed at increasing access to veterinary care. Highlighting the fact that 40 percent of pet owners are not able to obtain care for their animals and farmers struggling to get service in rural areas, Murtaugh sees the AVMA taking the lead in addressing these care shortages. 

“From the farms to families, the AVMA must seize the lead on implementing the paradigm shifts required to meet the growing delivery and access to care needs of our society,” Murtaugh says. 

Expanding access to veterinary care requires growing the number of providers in cities and rural areas. To adequately meet demands for veterinary service, Murtaguh says the supply of providers should grow by increasing the number of schools offering DVM degrees and the numbers and types of programs producing veterinary technicians. 

To accomplish these goals, Murtaugh seeks to draw on leadership experience gained from working in both academia and industry. After obtaining his DVM from CVM, Bob completed his residency at the Ohio State University in 1984 and board certification in veterinary internal medicine in 1985. He then joined Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine as faculty from 1984 to 1998, and he served as hospital director for both its large and small animal teaching Hospitals during that time.

Currently, a chief professional relations officer at Thrive Pet Healthcare, Murtaugh works to strengthen Thrive’s relationship with veterinary schools through educational curriculum support, student growth in primary care, residency, and specialization opportunities. He has been a contributor to the growth of Thrive Pet Healthcare from 15 to now more than 350 veterinary locations, providing a variety of quality small and large animal services over 37 states.

Murtaugh also will serve as the next chair of the Veterinary Medicine Academy (VMA) Leadership Council for the National Academies of Practice, starting his term in March.

AVMA delegates will vote to elect the organization’s 2023-2024 president at the AVMA Convention held in July in Denver.