Dr. Steven Atwood elected chairman of Veterinary Medicine Academy
Dr. Steven W. Atwood, a longtime Island veterinarian and founder of Animal Health Care Associates in West Tisbury, was recently elected chairman of the Veterinary Medicine Academy of the National Academies of Practice (NAP).
NAP is comprised of ten academies representing primary health professions. Those include dentistry, medicine, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, psychology, social work, and veterinary medicine.
Dr. Atwood was elected to the Veterinary Medicine Academy about five years ago, he told The Times in a phone conversation last week. He will serve two years as its chairman.
Membership in each of the academies is limited to only 150 practitioners and scholars nationwide. They are nominated and elected by their peers.
“It’s a really nice honor,” Dr. Atwood said. “This is an interdisciplinary group that influences national health policies.”
The word “interdisciplinary” also can be used to describe Dr. Atwood. In addition to being a veterinarian, he received a doctor of medicine degree in 2006 from the University of Health Sciences in the British West Indies. In May 2011 Dr. Atwood graduated with a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Massachusetts School of Public Health in Amherst.
NAP was founded in 1981. In addition to honoring outstanding health care leaders and practitioners, the organization promotes quality health care through cooperative advocacy, practice, education, and research.
Horse Council open house
The Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council will sponsor an open house at Woodbe Farm on State road in West Tisbury on Saturday, April 27 from 12 to 3 pm.
There will be riding demonstrations, pony rides, a tack swap, and food. Meet Island trainers and learn what the MV Horse Council has to offer. The Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council aims to bring together all horse lovers on Martha’s Vineyard, to promote horses and their related activities, as well as to provide educational clinics, seminars and youth programs for its membership, according to a press release. For more information call Tracey at 508-294-7982. Rain date is Sunday, April 28.