The Board will miss its two departing members, Dr. Alfred Stevens and Dr. Joseph Bondurant, Jr., whose terms with the Board expired on August 10, 2023. As past Board Presidents, both Drs. Stevens and Bondurant continued to advance the Board forward with some pivotal rulemaking efforts, sharing their invaluable insight and experience in veterinary medicine and regulatory efforts with the Board.
Congratulations to Dr. Trisha Marullo, who was elected as Board President for the 2024 fiscal year. Also, Dr. Larry Findley was elected as Board Vice-President and Dr. Keri Cataldo-Rogers was elected as Board Secretary-Treasurer.
The Board would like to welcome its two newest members, Dr. Christine McHughes and Dr. Jesse Brandon, who were appointed to start their term on August 11, 2023 and will serve through July 30, 2028.
Dr. Jesse Brandon is originally from Leesville, LA where he joined his father, Dr. Doug Brandon and his wife, Dr. Amanda Brandon, at their family-owned mixed animal practice. Dr. Brandon earned his Bachelor’s degree from LSU and earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from St. George’s University in 2013. His areas of special interest include equine lameness, large/small animal surgery, and advocacy for the veterinary profession. Dr. Brandon recently served as the LVMA President from 2020 to 2022 as well as District 3 Representative from 2017 to 2023.
Dr. Christine McHughes was raised in Amite, LA and was very active in the 4-H and FFA programs, showing livestock and competing in rodeo events throughout high school and college. She graduated with an undergraduate from SLU and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the LSU SVM in 2004. Dr. McHughes opened her small animal practice, Crosspoint Veterinary Hospital, in 2015 and has stayed involved in the local, state and national VMAs. Dr. McHughes is a past president of the LVMA and is the current president of the Walter J. Ernst, Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation. She also serves as a LA Representative on the Southwest Veterinary Symposium Board as well as its Treasurer.