Dr Ellen van Nierop will lead the association's global community.
Small animal clinician Dr Ellen van Nierop, who practises in Quito, Ecuador, has been named president of the WSAVA.
Originally from the Netherlands, Dr Nierop was elected president at the WSAVA World Congress (29-31 October) in Lima, Peru. She will be supported by Dr Jim Berry from Canada, who was elected WSAVA vice president.
Ellen said: “I am honoured to serve the veterinary profession as WSAVA President and will ensure that we continue to strengthen and grow our global veterinary community in order to build a better future for both our current members and those still to come.”
"As a practising clinician, I find the WSAVA’s educational resources invaluable and, as a member of the Executive Board, I have seen at first hand the hugely positive influence the association is having in terms of raising standards of companion animal veterinary care around the world."
A graduate of Ghent University in Belgium, Ellen runs a small animal clinic with her husband, who is also a vet. She first joined the WSAVA Executive Board in 2013 and has been the Ecuadorian representative of the WSAVA for AMVEPE since 2009.
Other new roles on the WSAVA executive board include Dr Oscar Umaña from Costa Rica as honorary treasurer and Dr Jerzy Gawor from Poland as Board Member.
Image (C) WSAVA.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
