Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little Becomes President of American College of Veterinary Surgeons

UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine Professor Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little was recently named President of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Dr. Marcellin-Little was elected President-elect in 2025 and assumed the role of President at the 2026 ACVS Surgery Summit. Each year at the annual conference, the ACVS Nominating Committee submits a proposed slate of candidates for President-elect, one large animal regent, and one small animal regent to the ACVS Board of Regents for approval. The approved slate is forwarded to the membership for a vote.

The President is member of the 3-person Executive Committee of ACVS. The Executive Committee manages urgent situations affecting the College, helps plan meetings of the Board of Regents, and oversees the CEO of the College. The ACVS President is also a voting member of the Board of Regents.

In his role, Dr. Marcellin-Little will represent ACVS at several national/international meetings, including the ACVS Surgery Summit and the annual meeting of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. Following his year as President, Dr. Marcellin-Little assumes the role of Chair of the Board of Regents for a year.

“Becoming President of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons is a major professional honor,” said Dr. Marcellin-Little. “The organization has provided key leadership in veterinary surgery for more than 60 years. Leading ACVS is the end of a long professional journey. I went to veterinary school in France before I specialized in surgery in the United States. I think I might be the first president of the ACVS who became a veterinarian in a European country whose official language was not English.”

UC Davis has another representative in ACVS leadership. Alumna Julie Smith, DVM ’92, is Treasurer. Dr. Smith is currently a member of the Dean’s Leadership Council at UC Davis.

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