The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) announces the addition of two exceptional veterinarians to its Leadership Council: Dr. Brian Forsgren of Ohio and Dr. Jennifer Scarlett of California. The HSVMA Leadership Council is an advisory group of veterinary professionals who help lead the organization’s efforts in the animal welfare arena.

Brian Forsgren, DVM

Dr. Brian Forsgren is the owner and founder of Gateway Animal Clinic, a thriving veterinary practice within Cleveland’s poverty-stricken inner city. His practice philosophy is unique—to provide access to care for pet owners who have minimal financial resources. A graduate of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, he has served as the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association’s (OVMA) Chairman of the Animal Welfare committee (1996-99) and OVMA President (1999).

Nationally, Dr. Forsgren is a member of the American Association of Human Animal Bond Veterinarians and the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics. Additionally, he was honored as Ohio’s Veterinarian of the Year (2000), received the OVMA Distinguished Service Award (1996), was named Distinguished Alumnus by the OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine (2009), received the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinary of the Year Award (2009) and, most recently, received the HSVMA Veterinary Advocate of the Year Award (2011).

Jennifer Scarlett, DVM

Dr. Jennifer Scarlett is a co-president of the San Francisco SPCA (SF SPCA), where she has been responsible for creating a number of visionary programs including Community Cares, a vaccine outreach program, and "Fospice," a shelter program that uses foster homes to care for the most medically challenged shelter animals. Under her leadership, the SF SPCA has increased spay and neuter surgeries by 1,000 procedures per year, increased adoptions, increased surrender acceptance by 150 percent and has met the 25 percent increase in demand for discounted and free care.

Dr. Scarlett has more than 20 years of experience as a veterinarian in both non-profit and for-profit veterinary medicine. She served as a trip leader for Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS), a program of the HSVMA, for 12 years. In 2011, she received the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Meritorious Achievement Award for contributions to the veterinary field. She completed her undergraduate studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, received a DVM from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and completed a large animal residency at the University of Tennessee.

HSVMA Leadership Council chairperson, Dr. Holly Cheever, said "HSVMA is fortunate to have these two respected veterinarians who are so passionate about advancing the cause of animal welfare among our ranks. I look forward to working with them in the coming years to further the HSVMA mission of bringing the veterinary profession to the forefront of animal protection."