Veterinary college graduate Ashley Johnson awarded prestigious Hogg Scholarship for food safety studies
Ashley Johnson DVM '13 has been named a 2024 American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) Foundation Hogg Scholarship recipient.
The prestigious award was presented during the American Association of Swine Veterinarians 55th Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. The Hogg Scholarship, established in 2008 and named after Alex Hogg, a pioneer in swine medicine, is designed to support AASV members like Johnson, who seek to advance their education in veterinary pathology or related fields after years of practice in the swine industry.
Johnson earned her DVM in 2013 from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech and her bachelor's degree in 2009 from Clemson University. She has just started a Master of Science in Food Safety at Michigan State University.
Currently serving as the Director of Food Policy at the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) in Washington, D.C., she plays a crucial role in shaping post-harvest food safety and human nutrition programs and addressing animal care issues within the market channels. This position helps shape policies that ensure the safety and quality of pork products from farm to table. The scholarship underscores her commitment to leverage her education to bolster her advocacy for science-based food safety policies.
Bridging veterinary practice and policy for food safety
Johnson's career focus on pork production has positioned her uniquely within veterinary medicine and emphasizes the critical importance of food safety and policy in public health. Her deep knowledge of swine medicine makes her an essential bridge between the pork industry and regulatory bodies, focusing on crucial aspects such as food safety, antimicrobial usage, and nutrition.
"A lot of my job is around food safety, and being armed with the most up-to-date science possible is crucial," Johnson said, underlining her significant impact on public health and industry practices. Her work on Capitol Hill, engaging with legislators, highlights the unique and vital perspective veterinarians can bring to policymaking on national and international levels, aiming to secure practical, science-based policies for the broader food production ecosystem.
Advocating for science
Johnson's involvement in advocating for supportive provisions in the Farm Bill, including funding for the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB), the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP), highlights the strategic role veterinarians have in legislative advocacy.
"We are trying to make sure that we have things in the farm bill that benefit the barnyard in general," Johnson explained. Her efforts aim to foster a food system that is not only safe and sustainable but also rooted in scientific evidence and attuned to the realities of food production and animal health.
The scholarship offers Johnson financial relief and professional validation, reinforcing her dedication to enhancing food safety. Her efforts underscore veterinarians' vital role in global food security, directly influencing consumer health worldwide.
Mentorship and shaping a future in swine medicine
Johnson is quick to credit several influential mentors during her education and career, including fellow alum Melinda McCall, a large-animal veterinarian based in Louisa, Virginia, and Sherrie Clark, associate department head and professor of theriogenology at the veterinary college's Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences.
With a substantial background in swine medicine, Clark offered Johnson a firsthand look into the complexities and nuances of working within this specialized field. She took Johnson under her wing and embarked on practical learning journeys beyond the traditional classroom setting.
"She said, 'You need to learn how to take blood from pigs. This is something you're going to need to know how to do. So, let's do it.' It was just her and I," Johnson shared, highlighting the hands-on, real-world experiences that Clark facilitated. This mentorship honed Johnson's technical skills and instilled in her a deep appreciation for the intricacies of swine health and the broader implications for food safety and animal welfare.
Another significant mentor was Jermey Pittman, a production veterinarian from Smithfield Foods and visiting professor who would come to Virginia Tech and lecture students on production swine medicine. Recognizing the opportunity, Johnson contacted Pittman to intern with him during her fourth year. Pittman was an integral part of the start of Johnson's career as he was not only a mentor but provided the recommendation for her first job in swine medicine after graduation. Their career paths have crossed multiple times, with the most recent at NPPC, where Pittman serves on the board of directors. "It is surreal to come full circle to working with one of your mentors on the very subject he taught me when I was a veterinary student," said Johnson.
The Unsung Heroes of Global Food Security
Johnson's commitment to veterinary medicine and food safety underscores the indispensable role of veterinarians in global food security. Her work goes beyond ensuring the health and welfare of animals; it directly impacts the quality of food available to consumers worldwide.
"Veterinarians are critical for maintaining the health and welfare of animals or the products that come from those animals," said Johnson, highlighting the profession's vital role in producing safe, nutritious food.
As she looks forward to contributing even more significantly to the field of food safety, Johnson's story proves the power of education, specialization, and unwavering dedication to public service. "To feed people is important," she concluded, capturing the core of her career and the broader impact of veterinarians in safeguarding food security for all.
