Author: Site Administrator

One Health Lecture

Species-Spanning Medicine for Humans and Other Animals

Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz will be presenting a One Health lecture sponsored by UH John A Burns School of Medicine. Dr. Natterson-Horowitz is a cardiologist and evolutionary biologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, Harvard University’s Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, and the School of Medicine at UCLA. Her research focuses on evolutionary biology and the natural world as sources of insights for human health and development. A leader in the field of evolutionary medicine, she co-chairs the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Board on Animal Health Sciences, Conservation, and Research (BAHSCR). 

Zoobiquity, her best-selling popular science book co-authored with K. Bowers, was a finalist in the American Association for the Advancement of Science Excellence in Science Books Award, a Smithsonian Top Book of 2012, and a Discover Magazine Best Book of the Year. Her recently published Wildhood chronicles the transition from juvenile to adult biology and behavior across vertebrate species. Dr. Natterson-Horowitz earned her B.A. and M.A. at Harvard University and her M.D. at University of California, San Francisco. 

Her presentation “Species-Spanning Medicine for Humans and Other Animals” will be held at the UH John A. Burns School of Medicine in Kaka’ako.

Friday May 9, 2025
5:30pm
Room 102

RSVP here

Legislative Update – Spring 2025

The 2025 Hawaii legislative session is wrapping up. Here are the bills still winding their way through the legislative process:

It’s easy to stay informed and get involved in our local legislative process!

Toxoplasma Research Study

Dr. Jerrisa Ching Choe is still looking for participants for her study on the risk factors and seroprevalence of human toxoplasmosis in Hawaiʻi. The purpose of the study is to see what risk factors are associated with exposure and/or latent disease against Toxoplasma gondii among human populations in the state. 

To be eligible to participate in the study, volunteers need to be 1) within 18-65 years old, 2) are generally healthy and free of severe comorbidities (e.g. HIV/AIDs, immune-mediated diseases, autoimmune diseases etc.), and 3) have lived in a Hawaiʻi household for at least six months or more at a time. The study involves one visit to the JABSOM campus to complete a questionnaire and have a small amount of blood drawn from them. All participants of the study will be compensated with a $5 gift card to Starbucks or Jamba Juice of their choice! 

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the study, please contact Dr. Jerrisa Ching Choe (PhD Student) directly. Mahalo for your time and consideration!

Hawaii Pet Expo Volunteer Sign-ups

The 33rd annual Hawaii Pet Expo is coming up next month from May 3-4, 2025 10am-4pm. This event will be held at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall in Honolulu, Hawaii and is free to the public.

We are looking for volunteers from the veterinary community to help us make this event a success! If you’re willing to volunteer, please sign up at the link below before Monday, April 21, 2025.

Sign up to volunteer here!

Volunteers needed for:

HVMA BOOTH
• Ask-A-Vet
• Answer questions and encourage public to enjoy the educational displays in the booth

GREETERS
• Pass out programs, poop bags
• Aid in helping attendees with strollers, wheelchairs, etc through turnstiles
• Smile

FOODBANK / INFO BOOTH
• Be able to answer questions, direct vendors and public to booth area
• Lost and found center
• Be able to find security, expo organizers
• Collection and packing of food donations
• Collection of monetary donations
• Coordinate volunteers (show where shirts are and their work areas)

MAKE & TAKE CRAFT BOOTH
• Help kids and adult with crafts
• Encourage participation

SHOW MARSHALS
• Walk around exhibition hall and outside to clean-up spills and accidents (take poop to outside dumpster)
• Mop areas where there has been accidents
• Make sure exhibition hall doors are closed
• Remind pet owners to keep dogs leashed or secured and have cats, birds and pocket pets in carriers for the safety of all pets involved
• Assist exhibitors with removal of trash and put in outside dumpster
• All cleaning supplies provided (poop bags, disinfectants, mops)

SNACK BAR
• Help pet owners create snacks for pets

2025 HVMA Scholarship

The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association is pleased to announce that the 2025 HVMA scholarship application is now open! The application deadline is April 30th, 2025. 

Interested veterinary students (1st-4th year, US citizens) currently enrolled in an AVMA-accredited doctoral program of veterinary medicine who graduated from a high school in Hawaii are eligible to apply. Please share this opportunity with any students you think may be interested!

Please contact Dr. Jenee Odani if you have any questions. 

AVMA Updates – Winter 2025

AVMA Winter Session

AVMA convened on January 10th-11th for our annual winter session. We discussed two topics in the Veterinary Information Forum: supporting rural veterinarians and the current status of accreditation in veterinary education. We also voted on several new and revised policies ranging from biosecurity and cellular agriculture to veterinary license portability and guidelines on pet ownership. We always welcome your input! Please see here for the full details. 

AVMA Mentorship

Any AVMA member with less than 10 years of professional experience can now get free professional mentoring through MentorVet Connect, brought to you by the AVMA. Learn more.

Meet a Board Member – Raquel Wong

Raquel Wong, DVM
Oahu Rep

Raquel Wong, DVM, has been with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for almost 25 years and has a wide breadth of experience within the Animal Industry Division working in all branches of the Division. Dr. Wong earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in veterinary medicine. Dr. Wong enjoys spending her free time with family both on Oahu and the Big Island, caring for 3 large dogs, and keeping busy with many hobbies.

Letter from the President – Winter 2025

Heather Kihara, DVM
HVMA President

Aloha HVMA members! 

Happy New Year & Kung Hei Fat Choy! Coming into 2025, I’m very excited to lead us into the next two years! Our past president, Dr. Jenee Odani has done a wonderful job and I can only hope to carry on her excellent work and continue to build momentum for our Hawai’i vet community.

Jenee will continue to be on the board as the past president, alternate AVMA delegate, friend and mentor. In fact, the broad range of expertise of the veterinarians on the board is quite impressive! From our executive VP, zoo vet Dr. Jill Yoshicedo to our newest island representatives Drs. Raquel Wong, Gabrielle Asay, and Melissa Shaw, we not only represent small animal medicine but government, industry, small/large/exotic/aquatic/zoo animal medicine, holistic & rehab medicine, specialty, and of course small business owners.

Each newsletter we feature a board member along with any news both locally and nationally from AVMA and highlights of important events. Yet we continue to try to add to our breadth to make sure everyone is represented! Please consider joining the board! We are actively looking for outer island delegates and we will always accept help on committees. As a volunteer organization, I like to think that every member is passionate about advancing veterinary medicine and animal welfare in Hawai’i! Please encourage your fellow vets to join HVMA and let’s do good!

Toxoplasma Research Study

Jerrisa Ching Choe, DVM, MPH, is your HVMA New Graduate Delegate and a PhD student in the Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa who is still looking for participants for her study on the evaluation of risk factors and seroprevalence of human toxoplasmosis in Hawaiʻi. The purpose of the study is to investigate what major risk factors are associated with exposure and/or latent disease against Toxoplasma gondii among human populations in the state. Email Jerrisa for more information.

FDA Solicits Public Comments on Use of Cannabis-Derived Products in Veterinary Medicine

The FDA has released a request for information (RFI)soliciting comments from the public, particularly veterinarians, related to the use of cannabis-derived products (CDP) in animals. The focus of this RFI is on cannabidiol (CBD) products and other products derived from hemp.The FDA is trying to better understand what veterinarians are experiencing related to CDPs in their patients, such as: general patterns of use (i.e., animal species, brands, formulations, doses, indications for use), quality standards, benefits of use, potential drug interactions, adverse events and safety problems, and toxicological concerns.

The Federal Register notice about the RFI contains instructions for submitting comments. FDA will fully consider all comments, including comments submitted anonymously. The comment period for this RFI opens on January 16, and will be open for 90 days. If you have relevant responses to the questions in the RFI, please submit them no later than April 16, 2025.