AVMA fellow joins Washington congresswoman’s office

Dr. Michael Streitz

Dr. Michael Streitz of Minnesota will spend his AVMA congressional fellowship with U.S. Congresswoman Kim Schrier's office, the AVMA announced October 8.

Rep. Schrier has represented Washington state's 8th Congressional District since 2019. The 2024-25 George W. Bishop AVMA Fellowship Program will allow Dr. Streitz to serve as a full-time scientific advisor to Rep. Schrier and her staff. He will work with lawmakers in Congress to help craft and influence legislation across a wide breadth of policy issues.

Most recently, Dr. Streitz served as a policy liaison fellow with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases in Atlanta.

"The AVMA is delighted to hear about Dr. Streitz's opportunity to work with Representative Schrier, who has been a friend of veterinary medicine," said Dr. Sandra Faeh, AVMA President, in the announcement. "As a science fellow, his role in the Congresswoman's office will help amplify the profession's voice in Congress and ensure a veterinarian's perspective is heard while working alongside those making important public policy decisions.

We look forward to seeing what Dr. Streitz accomplishes during his AVMA congressional fellowship and strongly urge more veterinarians to explore roles in public policy as they are essential to maintaining animal and public health and advancing veterinary medicine."

Dr. Streitz brings a wealth of public policy experience to this role. His background includes working as a clinical laboratory technologist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, internships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and CDC, and an externship with the National Pork Producers Council. Dr. Streitz also serves on the Advocacy Committee of the Georgia VMA.

A 2023 veterinary graduate of the University of Minnesota, Dr. Streitz also holds a master's degree in public health.

Dr. Streitz said in the announcement, "Veterinarians are uniquely positioned to approach health policy holistically, leveraging our expertise in food safety, animal wellness, and wildlife management to tackle complex legislative challenges. I look forward to supporting the Congresswoman in advancing her health and agriculture policy initiatives for the 8th district of Washington and for the American people as a whole."

Rep. Schrier's district covers nearly 10,000 square miles in western Washington state, just east of Seattle, and has a diverse economy, including ranching, farming, and dairy operations.

Rep. Schrier, who formerly worked a pediatrician, said in the announcement, "I'm very excited to have Dr. Streitz join my office as a fellow and am confident that his expertise will have a positive and significant impact in crafting and developing policies that benefit our constituents. Dr. Streitz's experience as a veterinarian and policy liaison fellow with the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will serve our office well when focusing on animal health and public health-related issues."

The AVMA Fellowship Program is nonpartisan and supports participant veterinarians, who go through a competitive selection process and then work to be placed in a congressional office, where they obtain significant experience in federal policymaking and assist the office with their unique veterinary expertise.

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