Dr. Douglas Kratt, of Onalaska, Wisconsin, assumed the role of American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) president during the AVMA House of Delegates meeting on July 31. The meeting was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Kratt ran on the platform of building and connecting with members and potential members. Using Legos as a metaphor for the veterinary medical profession, he pointed out that they are versatile and integrate well with Legos of different shapes, colors, and sizes and together, they can build great things.
“My mission is to listen, serve and connect with the members; to build within the veterinary medical profession; to bring together shared interests; and to be more inclusive,” says Dr. Kratt. “We are stronger together and will do great things for our communities and veterinary medicine.
“With the many challenges and opportunities facing our nation and the veterinary community, it is clear that civil unrest and calls for justice deserve our time and attention,” he adds. “I am making and will continue to make an intentional effort to listen more, learn more and do more.”
A University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine graduate, Dr. Kratt practices at Central Animal Hospital in Onalaska, a small animal veterinary hospital that he has owned since 1998. Dr. Kratt is a previous WVMA president and AVMA House of Delegates delegate and has served on numerous WVMA committees and task forces. On the national level, Dr. Kratt has served on AVMA’s House Advisory Committee, Strategic Management Committee and Task Force on Volunteer Engagement. In addition, he is a graduate of the 2012-2013 AVMA Future Leaders program.