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Dr. Chris Bell Appointed 74th President of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
July 27, 2022
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is thrilled to welcome Dr. Chris Bell as its 74th President. Dr. Bell grew up on a family horse farm in Airdrie, Alberta. He attended the University of Saskatchewan where he obtained a Bachelor of Science, high honors, in Microbiology and Immunology. Dr. Bell proceeded to attain a DVM with distinction from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). Following his DVM, he completed a 1-year clinical internship at the Arizona Equine Medical and Surgical Center and then completed a 3-year surgical residency program at WCVM. Dr. Bell also completed a Master of Veterinary Science in Upper Airway Surgery during his residency program.
He is a board-certified Equine Surgeon and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS). Dr. Bell is an adjunct professor of equine surgery and sports medicine with WCVM. He is a recognized speaker and has presented at provincial, national, and international levels in the areas of lameness, ethanol fusion of the hocks, MRI diagnosis and treatment of navicular disease, orthopedic diseases, and development of balloon sinuplasty techniques in horses.
Dr. Bell serves his colleagues through multiple commitments to the CVMA and the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA). He was recognized in 2019 with the MVMA Award of Merit for contributions to his colleagues, the profession, and the MVMA. Dr. Bell is a member of the CVMA Canadian Veterinary Reserve, chairs the CVMA Emerging Leaders Program, and is chair of the MVMA Student and Early Career Engagement Committee. He is an active member of the equine community, sitting on several committees and boards within Manitoba such as the Manitoba Horse Council Breeds and Industry Committee, and is a Manitoba Horse Council consultant. Dr. Bell is also a member of the WCVM Educational Advisory Committee.
At the national and international levels, Dr. Bell currently serves as the American Association of Equine Practitioners liaison with the MVMA, and is a board member of the Canadian Equine Veterinary Advocacy Alliance. Since 2012, Dr. Bell has owned and primarily practiced from Elders Equine Veterinary Service, located just west of Winnipeg. Elders Equine is a host hospital and participates in senior veterinary student, veterinary intern, and surgical residency training through a distributed learning program. In 2020, Dr. Bell joined 2 of his classmates to start Grant Park Animal Hospital in Winnipeg where he runs their canine sports medicine service when not at his equine practice.
When he is not at work, Dr. Bell enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 daughters at their cabin or fishing at the lake.
