HISA Announces Veterinary Advisory Committee Additions

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is pleased to announce the additions of Drs. Kevin Dunlavy, Vickie Heidlage-Williams, Jamie McAnly, Clayton McCook and Gabrielle Rivest to HISA's Veterinary Advisory Committee (VAC). Established in 2024, the committee is composed of both regulatory and private racetrack veterinarians across the nation. Advisory committee members provide feedback to HISA's executive team and standing committees on the execution and development of HISA's policies and protocols surrounding veterinary care, racetrack safety, medication, equine research and other related issues. Members are appointed for 18-month terms, and the new members succeed outgoing VAC members Drs. Nolton Pattio, Martha Misheff, Amy Narotsky and Horace "Sam" Ferguson, III. "We look forward to the meaningful contributions our new members will make and are confident their clinical expertise and wide range of experiences will further strengthen the committee's efforts to provide informed guidance to the industry," said Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, HISA Director of Policy & Industry Initiatives. More information about the new members can be found below: Dr. Kevin Dunlavy is a 1991 graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a founding partner of Kentucky Equine Medical Associates based in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Dunlavy has also been an active member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, serving on the Professional Conduct and Ethics Committee and Racing Committee and as a spokesperson for the On Call Program. Dr. Vickie Heidlage-Williams graduated from Oklahoma State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and became a Regulatory Veterinarian in March 2018 in her hometown's Will Rogers Downs. She initially worked for the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, performing pre-race exams, which expanded into working at Fair Meadows in Tulsa, Oklahoma as a commission veterinarian and as a track veterinarian for Fair Meadows and Will Rogers Downs. In 2021, she accepted a track/association veterinarian position at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and works at all three tracks today. Dr. Heidlage-Williams has also spent time during her career as an assistant owner/trainer of Thoroughbreds with her husband. Dr. Jamie McAnly is a 2005 graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she completed a hospital internship at Equine Services in Simpsonville, Kentucky, where she remained for two additional years as an associate. In 2008, she joined a private racetrack practice, spending winters at Palm Meadows Training Center and summers at Monmouth Park and Saratoga Race Course. In 2023, she transitioned into her current position as a Regulatory Veterinarian at Tampa Bay Downs. Since becoming a Regulatory Veterinarian, Dr. McAnly has traveled to Virginia during the summers to serve at the Colonial Downs meet. Dr. Clayton McCook graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas Christian University and a Master of Science in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut. Additionally, he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University in 2009. Subsequently, Dr. McCook completed a racetrack internship with Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery (ESMS), headquartered in Weatherford, Texas. Dr. McCook stayed on as an associate with ESMS and worked for the New Mexico racetrack circuit for a year before transferring to the ESMS Oklahoma division in 2011. Dr. Gabrielle Rivest completed her veterinary degree at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship at Colts Neck Equine Associates, before becoming an associate veterinarian working with standardbred racehorses and show horses in New Jersey. Dr. Rivest then joined the Maryland Jockey Club, where she ultimately became the senior association veterinarian. As a child, she became interested in the Thoroughbred racing industry, working as a hotwalker and exercise rider and retraining off-track Thoroughbreds after their racing careers. The full list of Veterinary Advisory Committee members can be viewed here.