Senate committee approves two veterinary-board nominees

The Oklahoma Senate Agriculture Committee approved two nominations to veterinary oversight bodies after brief presentations and unanimous roll-call votes.

Rebecca Hartfield, renominated to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, described five years on the board and her work as a full-time mixed-animal veterinarian in Holdenville, an urgent-care practice in Manford and a newly opened practice in Cleveland. “I have a very large passion for rural mixed animal practice,” Hartfield said, urging the committee to support efforts to recruit rural students into veterinary careers.

Senator Sarah Wingard presented Hartfield’s nomination and asked the nominee to address the committee. The clerk recorded 13 ayes and 0 nays and the chair declared the nomination passed.

The committee also approved James (Jimmy) Harrell’s nomination to the Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medical Authority. Harrell described earlier work on OSU regents and efforts to improve the veterinary school, noting a need to increase the number of large-animal veterinarians who serve rural Oklahoma. “We’re certainly looking forward to seeing that done,” Harrell said of efforts to expand the vet school and attract more Oklahoma students.

Senator Murdoch presented Harrell. A roll call returned 13 ayes and 0 nays; the chair declared the motion passed.

The committee moved on to other bills after thanking the nominees for their willingness to serve.