NAVC Welcomes Dr. Karen Kline as New Board President
Dr. Karen Kline has assumed the position of NAVC Board President for 2024 – 2025 on Jan. 16, 2024. After serving on the NAVC Board of Directors for six years, Kline took the reins from Bob Lester at the NAVC’s annual business meeting held in conjunction with its largest event of the year, the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX).
Kline has been a practicing veterinarian for 35 years and a board certified neurologist for 30 years. She is currently staff neurologist at VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists where she has worked since 2019, holding the position of Medical Director from 2019 to 2024. Prior to this, Kline worked at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle from 2008 to 2019. Kline received her DVM degree from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989 and completed a rotating internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City in 1990. She stayed at AMC and completed her neurology residency in 1993 and stayed on a year as staff neurologist until 1994. In 1994, Kline became board certified in veterinary neurology through the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. From 1995 through 2008, Kline was an associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery at Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine. While there, she obtained her Master of Science degree in veterinary pathology and completed her thesis on Immunohistochemical Differentiation of Canine Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases. She has published multiple journal articles, has been an author in several veterinary textbooks and has spoken at local, national and international meetings. She obtained her certification in veterinary acupuncture in 2000.
“I am honored to be the next president of NAVC and I will carry on the tradition of excellence and innovation that this organization represents,” said Kline. “VMX 2024 was a fantastic experience for all participants from all across the globe and has gotten 2024 off to an exciting start. It was indeed the Show of Shows, and I look forward to continuing that energy and innovation throughout this year and my tenure as NAVC board president!”
Kline’s interests are neurorehabilitation, inflammatory and infectious central nervous system diseases and spinal cord injury and therapeutics. Outside of work, she has always enjoyed the Pacific Northwest and enjoys spending her free time with her husband Karl and dog Voodie.
Members of the NAVC Board of Directors for 2024-2025 are: Karen Kline – President; Bob Lester – Immediate Past President; Sally Haddock – President-Elect; Jonathan R. Townsend – Vice President; Christine Navarre – Treasurer. Directors: Megan Brashear; Crystal Chrisler; Geraldine Diethelm; Trish Farry; Jason W. Johnson; Tammy Michau; Christina V. Tran; Cindy Trice.