Matthew J. Salois, Ph.D., has joined the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to head the association’s Veterinary Economics Division. He will replace Michael R. Dicks, Ph.D., who is retiring after serving five years as AVMA’s chief economist. Previously, at Elanco Animal Health, Dr. Salois served as director of global scientific affairs and policy since 2016, and as an economic research and policy advisor from 2014 to 2016. Prior to joining Elanco, he worked as the chief economist at the Florida Department of Citrus and as an assistant professor in economics at the University of Reading. “Matt … has the opportunity now to build upon the AVMA Economic Division’s solid foundation to ensure that all the incredible data we have is turned into the most effective tools and resources for our members and the profession,” said Michael J. Topper, DVM, Ph.D., DACVP, president of the AVMA. Salois said the scope of achievement already accomplished by the AVMA Economics Division has been “breathtaking” and that the economics team currently in place is a testament to AVMA’s commitment to the veterinary profession. “I feel very privileged to be joining not only a team that I admire, but also to be a part of the AVMA and a world-class group of people dedicated to providing value to its members,” Salois said. One of the new director’s goals is to deliver economic analyses that provide tangible and actionable direction for the veterinary profession. “Like many economists, I have a genuine passion for the field,” he said. “But my ‘why’ is more than just about economics; it’s about acting on the insights generated through economics to help guide decisions and, hopefully, lead the veterinary profession to a stronger place.” Salois said the AVMA has already done much to benefit its members and the profession, such as taking the many sources of data available and identifying the most relevant and valuable information “hiding inside.” But he also stresses that there’s a lot veterinarians can do to help economists. “I have been privileged to work with some top-notch veterinarians the last few years, and they have truly helped me be a better economist by bringing their insights and perspective into my work,” Salois said. “By partnering together, I believe that economists and veterinarians can become more than the sum of their parts. I want to hear our members’ perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the profession and how they see economics ultimately helping them.”
