AO VET 2025 regional election results

AO VET is delighted to introduce the newly elected officer of the AO VET Latin America Board.

Following the elections concluded in March 2025, the AO VET Latin America Board is pleased to announce the election for the position of AO VET Latin America Research Officer. 

The candidacy was examined by the Nomination Committee, formed by Kenneth Johnson, Javier Corral, and Marcelo Flores. The entire election process was ratified by the committee and was carried out according to the criteria and requirements of the AO VET Terms of Reference and approved by the AO VET International Board.

Over the next 3 years, he will work in his respective role to advance AO VET as the premier knowledge provider and promote excellence in patient care and outcomes in trauma and musculoskeletal disorders.

AO VET Latin America – Research Officer

Anderson Souza is currently a Veterinary Surgeon and Clinical Preceptor in Large Animals at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Uberaba, in Minas Gerais, Brazil. With a strong background in equine surgery, Anderson Souza has been actively involved with AO VET Latin America, having earned first place at both the AO VET Latin America Research Challenge held in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2024, and the II AO VET Symposium – Translating Clinical Research into Clinical Practice, conducted online in 2023.

He has also contributed clinically relevant research presented at the AO VET Symposium in Davos, Switzerland, in 2023. In addition to his research involvement, he has served as faculty at major AO VET educational events, including the Advanced Workshop on Complex Equine Fracture Management during AO LAT Regional Courses in Bogotá (2024) and at the II AO VET Symposium in São Paulo (2023).

His international training includes an invited visiting student position at the Equine Surgery Service at the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland, from August to September 2023, as well as completion of the AO VET Course – Principles in Equine Fracture Management in Berlin, Germany (2023), and the FEP program in 2024. Anderson Souza is also a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Equine Science and has authored 16 peer-reviewed scientific publications indexed on PubMed.

“I am highly motivated to contribute to the AO VET Latin America Board and grow professionally within the AO Foundation. My active involvement with AO VET as a member and educator, combined with my experience in research and clinical practice, provides me with a solid foundation to support the organization with innovation and excellence. I am eager to learn from experienced leaders, collaborate in a multicultural environment, and strengthen research and development programs. I see this position as a unique opportunity to develop my skills while helping AO VET maintain its role as a global leader in musculoskeletal veterinary surgery." 

Please join us in congratulating the election winner!