Kevin Shea, APHIS administrator, announced senior leadership changes, effective August 1. Dr. Rosemary Sifford is named Veterinary Services (VS) next Deputy Administrator and Chief Veterinary Officer and Dr. Alecia Naugle as VS’ Associate Deputy Administrator. Dr. Burke Healey will assume the role of Executive Director for VS’ Strategy and Policy division, where he will concentrate on several longstanding animal health issues, including the future of the tuberculosis program.

Since 2020, Dr. Sifford has served as the Associate Deputy Administrator of APHIS’ Animal Care program. Before joining Animal Care, she was VS’ Associate Deputy Administrator. Dr. Sifford began her career with APHIS in 1997 as a Saul T. Wilson Scholar and has held several positions both in the field and at headquarters. Dr. Alecia Naugle, is currently serving as VS’ Executive Director for Strategy and Policy and has held multiple leadership positions within the program’s headquarters office, including serving as Director of VS’ Ruminant Health Center.  She also spent a year with USDA’s Office of the Chief Scientist, serving as a Senior Advisor for Animal Health, Production and Products.