The Alabama Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories

AVDL News

• Dr. Hoerr Retires - Dr. Fred Hoerr, director of the State Diagnostic Laboratory, retired Feb. 29 after 31 years with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and Auburn University. Dr. Hoerr served the College of Veterinary Medicine, first as affiliate faculty and later as professor of avian pathology, through a joint appointment with the State Diagnostic Laboratory. He was honored with Professor Emeritus status during his retirement reception on Feb. 28.
• Dr. Sara Rowe was named Interim Director of the Alabama Veterinary State Diagnostic Laboratories - Dr. Rowe is a 1983 graduate of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.  She also holds a BS and MS in microbiology from Auburn University.   Dr. Rowe has been with the State Diagnostic Laboratory in Auburn since 1992.  During that time, she has served as Section Head of Bacteriology and Serology.  Prior to this, Dr. Rowe was with USDA for 2 years and the AU College of Veterinary Medicine for 7 years.   Contact Info:  rowesar@auburn.edu and  phone 334-844-7213.  
• Veterinary Students Learn about Diagnostic Lab - Auburn 2nd-year veterinary students recently received instruction on diagnostic laboratory purpose, services, and usage. The laboratory was organized by Dr. Paul Smith, visiting professor of infectious diseases.  Students learned about the partnership of state diagnostic laboratories and the USDA, and the role of state laboratories in disease diagnosis and regulatory medicine. Laboratory staff demonstrated proper specimen collection, packaging of specimens, and compliance with shipping regulations.
• Auburn Lab Awarded Full Accreditation - The American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) has awarded the Thompson-Bishop-Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory Full Accreditation through 2016. This marks the first AAVLD Accreditation since the lab was organized in 1947. The accreditation process involved an intensive 3-year implementation of quality system management, culminating in a 4-day audit by the AAVLD in August 2011.   Quality system implementation in the regional laboratories for AAVLD accreditation started in September 2011 and will follow a similar process.  For more information on AAVLD accreditation see http://aavld.memberclicks.net/accreditation.