As the veterinary profession navigates rapid change, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is focusing on innovation, workforce development, advocacy, and public health. In this exclusive interview, AVMA president Michael Q. Bailey, DVM, DACVR, discusses highlights of this year’s AVMA Convention, including new continuing education tracks, emerging technologies, and student outreach initiatives. He also addresses some of the profession’s most pressing challenges—from educational debt and workforce shortages to vaccine hesitancy and emerging animal diseases—and explains how the association is supporting veterinarians and veterinary technicians through advocacy, resources, and collaboration at both the national and international levels. "As the most trusted source of vaccine guidance, veterinarinas play a critical role in helping clients understand the importance of vaccination..." -Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, AVMA president. Photo courtesy AVMA 1) What are the highlights of this year’s AVMA Convention? Dr. Michael Q. Bailey (MB): This year’s theme is “Serious Learning, Serious Fun,” which is a nod to the more than 700 hours of high-quality continuing education across every area of our profession, and the serious fun Disneyland offers. Our keynote speaker is Dr. Mark Penning, vice president of Animals, Science, and Environment at Disney Parks. New offerings include a learning lab area showcasing start-up organizations, innovations, and new products, as well as an AVMA podcast booth. There’s something for everyone, lots of networking, opportunities to hear from world-renowned experts from across our profession, and the latest on cutting-edge research and best practices. On July 13, we will be hosting a program to inspire grade school and high school students to consider a career in the veterinary profession. The “Vet for a Day” program will feature the stars of National Geographic’s “Critter Fixers,” Dr. Vernard Hodges and Dr. Terrence Ferguson, to give participants an opportunity to see what a day in the life of a veterinarian is like. They will also get a chance to talk with leaders in our profession as they consider the many different paths a career in veterinary medicine can take. Photo courtesy AVMA 2) In terms of CE sessions and exhibitors, are there any standout topics or innovations? MB: We have several outstanding symposia, including two all-day symposia on July 13. The first, titled “From Insight to Impact: Delivering Accessible Care in Everyday Practice,” is focused on practical ways to reduce barriers to veterinary care delivery. During our annual Global Health Summit at the convention, the “Hot Topics in Global Veterinary Medicine” session will feature international experts discussing how advances in technology, antimicrobial stewardship, sustainability, One Health, and the expanding global role of veterinary specialists are shaping veterinary medicine worldwide. We’re also excited to offer a four-session track called “Integrating Veterinary Technicians for Empowered Teams, Stronger Practices” that explores how veterinary practices can improve efficiency, patient care, team engagement, and profitability by intentionally integrating veterinary technicians. We’ve lined up speakers who will share practical strategies, leadership approaches, and real-world examples to help practices fully leverage veterinary technicians’ skills while building stronger, more collaborative healthcare teams. We will have many exhibitors at the convention showcasing the latest technology in veterinary medicine. Photo courtesy AVMA Photo courtesy AVMA 3) How would you describe the most pressing challenges currently facing the veterinary profession, and how is the association helping members address them? MB: We continue a strong focus on better integration of veterinary technicians as a key part of the veterinary team. The AVMA’s Committee on Advancing Veterinary Technicians and Technologists (CAVTT) is working collaboratively with the AVMA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators (AVTE), and the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) on initiatives to help support and advance the veterinary technology profession. This includes developing resources that encourage veterinary technician engagement and career development. The CAVTT is also discussing ways to showcase the expertise of credentialled veterinary technicians and the variety of roles they serve across the veterinary industry. We are also facing multiple animal disease challenges, including one that is already within our borders and that we have been battling for several years–highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)–and two that have the potential to emerge in the U.S.–New World screwworm (NWS) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Veterinarians are key to prevention, early detection, treatment, and control. The AVMA is actively supporting its members with information and resources and is engaged in key conversations with our allied veterinary associations, state and federal partners, and the industry on strategies to combat these threats. Of course, one of the best ways to prevent disease is through vaccination, but–unfortunately–personal experiences, beliefs, misunderstandings, and misinformation have created vaccine hesitancy, including among pet owners. As the most trusted source of vaccine guidance, veterinarians play a critical role in helping clients understand the importance of vaccination and navigate any questions or concerns they have. The AVMA has assembled resources exclusively for its members to help them have these conversations with empathy, clarity, and confidence, so their clients can make informed decisions that help keep pets, households, and communities safe. Educational debt has a significant impact on the career path choices of young veterinarians. In 2025, the average educational debt for veterinary graduates who borrowed exceeded $212,000. The AVMA advocates on a range of higher education priorities that support veterinary borrowers and champions several veterinary-specific programs to help address educational debt within our community. AVMA’s higher education debt priorities include lowering interest rates, eliminating origination fees, automatically pausing student loan repayment and interest accumulation for veterinarians pursuing advanced education and training. We are also working to end taxation of the forgiven portion of student loans after the standard 20- to 25-year repayment period. Finally, and importantly, the AVMA has created a Task Force on Emerging Technologies and Innovation. This group is working on policy and practical guidance around AI and its responsible use and will be recommending creation and composition of a longer-term committee to keep a pulse on emerging technologies in general and support the AVMA with specific subject matter expertise beyond AI. 4) Given AVMA’s recent advocacy on Capitol Hill, where do you think things stand now—and what hurdles do you see in getting these measures forward? MB: Thanks to the AVMA’s advocacy work with members of Congress and other stakeholders, the Senate and House have both taken steps in advancing the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, which would preserve the legitimate veterinary use of the animal sedative while helping address illicit xylazine. In the Senate, the legislation was voted favorably out of the Judiciary Committee, with a strong bipartisan vote. In the House, the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a legislative hearing on the bill. The AVMA hopes this movement will lead to further congressional action on one of the profession’s top policy priorities. Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a series of new actions to strengthen the rural veterinary workforce and the USDA’s veterinary workforce. The plan is consistent with the rural veterinary workforce priorities the AVMA has been advocating for in recent years. Under this plan, an additional $15 million will be allocated to federal programs (Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and Veterinary Services Grant Program) to help recruit and retain veterinarians in rural and underserved communities across the country. The AVMA is actively working with the USDA to implement the plan to better support the veterinary profession. Even with the progress and implementation of the Rural Veterinary Workforce Plan, the AVMA continues to advocate and stress the importance of swift passage of the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act. The bill would eliminate federal taxes on awards from the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), which offers up to $120,000 in student loan relief to veterinarians who commit to three years of service in one of the 243 USDA-designated veterinary shortage areas. The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act was one of the topics discussed during the AVMA’s annual fly-in. Utilizing that legislative momentum, the AVMA is working with lawmakers and other stakeholders on how to most efficiently advance the legislation to the President’s desk for signature. 5) How can veterinarians engage in advocacy on industry issues, such as workforce and drug policy, without adding to burnout? MB: “Veterinarians can easily contribute to our profession’s advocacy work in a variety of ways, tailored to their specific interests and availability. They can: Join the AVMA’s Congressional Advocacy Network and act when you receive legislative alerts. Subscribe to the AVMA Advocate newsletter to stay informed about how the latest public policy moves affect you. Volunteer to join a committee that advises your veterinary associations on legislative matters. Become an AVMA Ambassador to meet your legislators and directly educate them on key issues. For hands-on experience in Washington, D.C., consider applying for an AVMA externship. These are all great ways to learn more about the impact of organized veterinary medicine on public policy and help establish a powerful legislative voice for the profession.” For more information about the association, visit the AVMA website.
