New swine veterinarian to join College of Veterinary Medicine and MSU Extension team

Dr. Madonna Gemus-Benjamin will join the faculty Sept. 1, 2012.

Dr. Madonna Gemus-BenjaminMadonna Gemus-Benjamin has been appointed assistant professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences in the Michigan State University (MSUCollege of Veterinary Medicine and swine health Extension veterinarian with Michigan State University Extension (MSUE). Dr. Gemus-Benjamin will join the faculty Sept. 1, 2012.

A leading authority in swine health and an expert in research-based pork production practices, Dr. Gemus-Benjamin will be conducting Extension and research activities aimed at improving swine health and productivity. She will work closely with swine producers, industry professionals, and regulatory bodies.

“The college is very pleased that Madonna will be joining us,” said Ray Geor, chair of the MSU Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. “Her passion for production animal medicine and animal welfare is going to be a great asset to the department and to Michigan’s pork industry as a whole. She takes an approach that considers the success and well-being of the animal, the producer, the stockperson and the student, and we’re delighted about the contributions she’ll be able to make in her new role with MSUE and the department.”

Dr. Gemus-Benjamin comes to MSU from private practice, where she provided professional services to pork producers as well as regulatory and health agencies including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Veterinary Drug Directorate. She has served on the Drug Use and Regulatory Committee on Extra-Label Drug Use as well as with the Canadian Swine Health Board National Biosecurity Training Program. She was president of Veterinary Science Consulting Inc., a swine veterinary practice serving the southern Alberta pork production industry. Previously, she held a veterinary position at Elanco Animal Health. She received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Guelph and completed a residency in swine production medicine and a master’s degree in animal welfare at Michigan State University.

Wendy Powers, director of agriculture and agribusiness for MSU Extension, said Dr. Gemus-Benjamin's experience brings an added dimension to the MSUE team of educators and specialists who focus on pork production.

"Keeping pigs healthy is key to keeping the pork industry healthy," Powers said. "We are thrilled to have Dr. Gemus-Benjamin on our team. We look forward to working with her to continue to address the needs of Michigan's pork producers."

"This is an exciting move for me,” Dr. Gemus-Benjamin said. “I’m looking forward to working with such talented colleagues and with the dedicated people in Michigan’s pork industry. It’s a great opportunity to advance our commitment to animal and human health and safety, economic prosperity, and the integrity of the food supply.”

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