The ACVS Board of Regents has appointed the members of the Certification Council. Following approval by Diplomates of the new ACVS Bylaws, the council will officially assume oversight of ACVS’s certification functions on January 1, 2027. A liaison from the board to the council will be named in the fall to serve in an ex officio capacity.
Council members
Christopher R. Byron, chair
Karen K. Cornell, officer filling the immediate past chair role
Annette M. McCoy, vice-chair
Todd M. Thomas, ACVS Diplomate Member
Brandy Willeford, ACVS Diplomate Member
Eric J. Parente, ACVS director of certification, ex officio
Aaron White, subject-matter expert (public) member, ex officio
Kimberly Soehnlein, ACVS credentialing programs director, ex officio
The council will be accountable for all certification-related processes and decisions, including oversight of the certification committees: Examination, Fellowship, Maintenance of Certification, Residency Program Compliance, and Resident Credentialing.
A transition of responsibilities will occur in the fall between the board and council to ensure continuity in decision-making.
The new ACVS Diplomate council members collectively bring experience from service on and leadership of all certification committees. Additionally, three members are former regents. Two ACVS Diplomate council members work in private practice, two represent the large animal specialty, and four represent the small animal specialty.
New positions for ACVS are the public member and ECVS Diplomate member. These positions, as well as moving the role of representative to the Veterinary Specialty Organizations Committee to a council member, will foster deeper relationships within veterinary medicine and bring outside perspectives directly to council leadership.
