The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is amid a leadership transition, preparing for a new Executive Director to take the reins. Effective January 1st, Dr. Megan Niederwerder, currently serving as the Associate Director of the Swine Health Information Center, is poised to step into the role of Executive Director. Dr. Paul Sundberg, who has been at the helm of SHIC since its formation in 2015 and has played a pivotal role in shaping its mission and growth, has announced his retirement plans at the end of the year.
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Sundberg has highlighted the critical partnerships that SHIC has forged over the years. The organization collaborates closely with key stakeholders, including the National Pork Board, the National Pork Producers Council, and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. These partnerships encompass veterinarians, pork producers, and researchers from universities nationally and internationally.
Dr. Sundberg underlined that SHIC’s core objectives are in its mission statement.
“These objectives encompass disseminating information, undertaking comprehensive global disease monitoring, and engaging in targeted research endeavours aimed at mitigating the risk posed to the U.S. swine herd by emerging diseases,” he said.
One of SHIC’s primary focal points has been emerging diseases, a mission that became even more critical following the outbreak of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) in the United States in 2013. The PED outbreak resulted in devastating losses, with a staggering 10 percent reduction in production. This crisis prompted the National Pork Board’s Board of Directors to reassess their approach and allocate funding for establishing a center like SHIC. The goal was to proactively monitor and predict potential threats to the swine industry, thereby enhancing preparedness, responsiveness, and recovery capabilities.
Dr. Sundberg summed up the core focus of the Swine Health Information Center on four key pillars: prevention, preparation, response, and recovery from emerging diseases.
“This approach underscores the center’s commitment to identifying and understanding potential threats and taking proactive measures to safeguard the health and sustainability of the U.S. swine herd,” Dr. Sundberg said.
As SHIC prepares for this transition in leadership, the organization has commenced accepting applications for the role of Associate Director. Dr. Sundberg encouraged individuals interested in this pivotal position to explore the detailed position description, application process, and timelines, all of which are accessible on the Swine Health Information Center’s official website at swinehealth.org.
The appointment of Dr. Niederwerder as the incoming Executive Director signifies a continuation of SHIC’s dedication to swine health and its unwavering commitment to addressing emerging disease challenges. Under her leadership, SHIC will continue to play a vital role in safeguarding the well-being and resilience of the U.S. swine industry, collaborating with stakeholders, and conducting research essential for the sector’s growth and sustainability. •
— By Harry Siemens