AVMA podcast spotlights advocacy path through Jacey Cerda

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AVMA’s My Veterinary Life podcast is spotlighting the Government Relations Division externship through a new episode featuring Dr. Jacey Cerda, a Colorado State University postdoctoral fellow whose career has crossed wildlife biology, law, public health, veterinary medicine, and policy. In the episode, published October 2, 2025, Cerda discusses her experience as an AVMA Government Relations Division extern and frames advocacy as a practical extension of veterinary training, not a separate career track. The episode also fits into a broader AVMA effort to highlight early-career pathways into organized veterinary medicine and policy engagement. (podcasts.apple.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the episode is less about a program announcement than a reminder that policy experience can shape careers far beyond Capitol Hill. AVMA has long used student advocacy initiatives, externships, and congressional fellowships to build a pipeline of veterinarians who can influence legislation and regulation affecting workforce shortages, student debt, public health, animal welfare, and One Health. Cerda’s background, including current work on biodiversity conservation and disaster response, underscores how those skills can translate into nontraditional roles that still have direct relevance for clinical practice and the profession’s regulatory future. (avma.org)

What to watch: Expect AVMA to keep using the My Veterinary Life series and related advocacy programs to recruit more students and early-career veterinarians into organized medicine and public policy work. (listennotes.com)