With second term as AO VIB chairperson beginning in July, Watkins recounts achievements, looks to the future

A large animal surgery professor, holder of the Linda and Dennis H. Clark ’68 Endowed Chair in Equine Studies and orthopedic surgery group leader at the Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Services’ Department of Large Animal Medicine & Surgery (College Station, Texas, United States), Jeffrey P Watkins earned his doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree from Kansas State University (United States) in 1980. He earned his master of veterinary science (MS) degree in 1984 from Texas A&M while completing a residency in large animal surgery following graduation from veterinary school. He has been a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) since 1986. He has been active in all facets of orthopedic surgery, from clinical care and education to clinical research and outreach. He has been AO VET international faculty since 1991, serving AO VET in a host of official capacities. He was a member of the AO Technical Commission Veterinary Expert Group (VEEG) beginning in 2004 and served as chair from 2008 to 2013. Watkins was a member of the education committee and served as chairperson of AO VET North America from 2017 to 2021.

Watkins and his wife, Joni, live on a small farm outside of Bryan, Texas, and are the proud parents of one daughter, Jaley. On their farm, they manage a small hay-producing operation and have cattle, horses, dogs, and cats. They are avid horse competitors, showing their American Quarter Horses in reining, working cow horse, trail, and pleasure competitions.