Dr. Megan Niederwerder Reflects on SHIC’s Strategic Mission
Swine Web News | July 2025
As the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) celebrates its 10th anniversary this July, the organization is reaffirming its commitment to minimizing the impact of emerging disease threats and protecting the health of the U.S. swine herd.
Founded by the National Pork Board in 2015, SHIC has played a pivotal role in advancing herd health through preparedness, disease surveillance, risk mitigation, and strategic research investments.
Built on Five Strategic Pillars
Executive Director Dr. Megan Niederwerder highlights the five foundational priorities that have guided SHIC’s impact over the past decade:
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Improving Swine Health Information
SHIC delivers up-to-date domestic and global disease monitoring data to veterinarians and producers, helping the industry stay informed about current health threats. -
Monitoring and Mitigating Risks
The center proactively identifies and addresses potential threats to swine health, aiming to minimize their impact on pork production. -
Responding to Emerging Diseases
SHIC evaluates global disease developments and deploys preparedness and prevention protocols to protect U.S. herds from emerging pathogens. -
Surveillance and Discovery
Through population-level detection efforts, SHIC works to rapidly identify new diseases if they enter domestic swine populations. -
Swine Disease Matrices
SHIC prioritizes diseases for research and funding using comprehensive matrices, ensuring pork checkoff investments target the most critical health concerns.
“We’re constantly looking at how to evolve and strengthen our response to emerging threats,” says Dr. Niederwerder. “Our work has always been guided by the goal of delivering real-time solutions to producers, veterinarians, and the broader pork industry.”
For more information on SHIC’s ongoing initiatives and access to their disease resources, visit swinehealth.org.
