AVMA membership surpasses 91KApril 19, 2018 Membership for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) hit a record-high this year, with more than 91,000 veterinarians cited as association members—equating to three out of every four U.S. veterinarians. The achievement was announced at AVMA's board of directors meeting, held in Schaumburg, Ill., Apr. 5-6. The board also announced the results of its recent performance survey, which demonstrated an increase in member satisfaction, with more members recommending the association to veterinary colleagues. Additional meeting highlights are outlined below. New AVMA website The board approved funding for a digital agency to assist AVMA with a full redesign of the association website. The project has commenced, with the updated website scheduled to launch in 2019. Veterinary Information Forum follow-up In January, the AVMA House of Delegates hosted a Veterinary Information Forum and asked association staff to collect information from state veterinary medical associations about the provision of veterinary care to underserved populations. The association expects to compile these findings and share them with its members by January 2019. Depopulation guidelines The AVMA Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals: 2018 Edition will be the third product in the association's Humane Endings …
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AVMA names new communications division leadApril 5, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has named John Eckroth as the association's communications division lead. In this position, Eckroth will set and guide the strategy for all external and internal association communications, including public relations outreach and digital communications. He will oversee the organization's media relations, crisis communications, digital communications, social media, market research, corporate communications and internal communications functions. "John brings a strong background in digital strategy and communications, branding and identity, content strategy, digital asset management, and analytics, and we're excited to see him leverage these strengths to benefit our members and the profession," said Angela Roberts, chief marketing and communications officer at the AVMA. Eckroth joins the AVMA from Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, where he served as director of digital experience and strategy. Prior to that, he was the director of digital communications and infrastructure at the University of Chicago. He graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in computer technology.
AVMA, AAVMC form Veterinary Futures CommissionApril 4, 2018To better evaluate the challenges and opportunities within the veterinary profession, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) have established a Veterinary Futures Commission comprised of individuals from academia, industry, professional practice, and other sectors of the profession. "We're very excited to bring together such a visionary and diverse group of big-picture thinkers to participate in these critical discussions," said Michael J. Topper, DVM, Ph.D., DACVP, president of the AVMA. "They are just the right folks to participate in the critical strategic discussions we need to be having, asking the right questions, and, when need be, challenging assumptions that might be holding us back." The commission, a result of the AVMA/AAVMC Joint Committee, will hold its first meeting April 8-9 in conjunction with the Innovation Summit at Texas A&M University. "The purpose of this group is to help shape a better future for the profession of veterinary medicine," said Andrew T. Maccabe, DVM, MPH, JD, AAVMC CEO. "The diversity of perspective and experience that commission members bring to the table is going to promote some innovative thinking and help generate the kinds …
AVMA, United partner to board emotional support animals safely, legally for allMarch 9, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association and the AVMA Professional Liability Insurance Trust have entered into the emotional support animal-airline travel challenge. United Airlines recently announced a new policy requiring a veterinary signature vouching for the health, behavior, and training of psychiatric service and emotional support animals flying with its passengers. The airline said the policy took effect March 1. The AVMA reviewed United's veterinary health form and expressed concern that the information it requested might not appropriately support the health and welfare of their animal and human passengers—and that it created potential liability risks for veterinarians attesting to them. After collaborating with United, the airline has adopted AVMA recommendations and will be posting a new form on their website that reflects alternate language. The new form will allow veterinarians to confidently report meaningful information to assist United in making decisions about transporting psychiatric service or emotional support animals on its flights, according to the AVMA. Requested revisions include: The form should be completed and signed only by a licensed veterinarian. The original version asked a veterinarian to attest that s/he "is not aware of any reason to believe that this animal would pose …
AVMA, AAVMC summit to address veterinary well-being cultureFebruary 19, 2018This spring, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, and Zoetis will present the Veterinary Wellbeing Summit 2018, Apr. 15-17 in Chicago to bring about well-being changes in the pforession. At this year's meeting, leaders within the veterinary medical community and other health professionals will gather to focus on strategies and resources for establishing a culture of well-being throughout the profession, according to the AAVMC. "The health and wellness challenges we face in veterinary medicine are real, they are serious, and they require a united and decisive response," said Andrew T. Maccabe, DVM, JD, MPH, AAVMC CEO. "We're gratified to see so many people and organizations working together to address this threat to our profession and the people and animals it serves." For more information or to register, click here.
Human Animal Bond Certified now offered to veterinary professionalsFebruary 12, 2018 The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) have unveiled Human Animal Bond Certified—a new certification course for practicing veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and veterinary practice managers. Through a series of online modules assembled by experts in the field of human-animal interaction science, veterinarians, veterinary nurses and veterinary practice managers can now develop a formal understanding of the research demonstrating the health benefits of pet ownership and human-animal interaction, and learn how best to use that knowledge in the practice of veterinary medicine. "Human Animal Bond Certified will become the new gold standard for veterinarians looking to engage their clients in a meaningful and effective way," said Tom Bohn, NAVC CEO. "Through an easy online interface that can be completed at an individualized pace, the Certification will support every aspect of a veterinary practice, from better client dialogue and compliance to improved financial performance." According to a recent HABRI pet owner survey, veterinarians are a trusted resource for scientific information on the human health benefits of pets, and vets have an opportunity to further strengthen their relationships with pet owners. When 2,000 pet owners were educated about the human health …
AVMA seeks help with livestock, public health vet shortageFebruary 5, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is asking Congress to help with funding to reduce the number of regions across the nation that currently suffer from a shortage of livestock and public health veterinarians. The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has said that 187 regions are in need of staffing, and the AVMA points to threats to animal health and the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers as major reasons to fill the need. The solution is passage of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act, according to the organization. High debt loads—which reached $143,758 on average for 2016 graduates of veterinary colleges—can make it cost-prohibitive for young veterinarians to practice in rural areas, as rural salaries are often lower than those in urban areas. The federally funded loan repayment program mitigates the educational burden new vets feel by offering loan forgiveness to those who commit to serving at least three years in underserved areas. However, the program does not receive enough funding to meet the demand, in part because each award is subject to an expensive income withholding tax that sends the program's funding back to the government. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program …
AVMA provides association management to VMAEJanuary 19, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association is now providing association management services to Veterinary Medical Association Executives (VMAE). Janet Donlin, DVM, CAE, AVMA executive vice president and CEO, officially welcomed the VMAE under the new arrangement during the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference in January. "Executives of state and allied associations contribute a tremendous depth of perspective and understanding of the issues facing our profession," said AVMA president Michael Topper, DVM, Ph.D. "This liaison is one more way we can work together to protect, promote, and advocate for the interests of the entire veterinary profession." Announcing the arrangement, Dr. Donlin discussed the role of state and allied association executives in the growth of veterinary medicine and the AVMA. "The state and allied executive directors of veterinary associations saw the benefits belonging to a professional association," Donlin said. "ASVMAE, now VMAE, was formed, and the rest is history." Other VMAE news Ralph Johnson, VMAE CEO, has joined the AVMA as director of special projects. He will continue to oversee the association management services the AVMA now provides to VMAE, and will assist the AVMA with initiatives focused on delivering products and services …
AVMA LIFE, PLIT unify efforts under umbrella trustJanuary 18, 2018Two cornerstones of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), AVMA LIFE and AVMA PLIT, announced they are unifying efforts under an umbrella trust. "This is an important step as we continue to focus on providing ongoing value to our members," said Michael Topper, DVM. "As AVMA President, my overarching desire has been to build on past progress for a stronger future for all veterinarians and those they serve. I have no doubt that members of AVMA, AVMA LIFE, and AVMA PLIT will experience enhanced services as a result of this new structure." The collaborative formation of the umbrella trust will continue to evolve toward full unification. Seven trustees will be appointed to the new umbrella trust; these same seven will serve as the trustees on the AVMA LIFE and AVMA PLIT boards. Of these seven, two will be current trustees from AVMA LIFE, two will be current trustees of AVMA PLIT, and three will be new appointees. "This approach ensures synergy and sound strategic direction while maintaining excellent service delivery to members," said Janet Donlin, DVM, CAE, AVMA executive vice president and CEO. "Our focus has been and will always be on providing excellent service and value …
AVMA publishes cannabis resource for membersJanuary 12, 2018A new document available exclusively to American Veterinary Medical Association members provides comprehensive background information to help veterinary professionals understand the legal aspects of cannabis use in animals; field questions and advise clients who are interested in marijuana therapies for their pets; and identify toxic exposures. Cannabis: What Veterinarians Need to Know addresses such topics as the legal status of medicinal marijuana in veterinary medicine, how cannabinoids function, marijuana risks to pets, clinical signs and treatment of acute marijuana toxicosis, and effects of chronic marijuana exposure. Available on the Cannabis Use and Pets page of the AVMA's website, the document is the first in a series of related materials the association is developing as a resource for its members. Future tools will include information on medicinal marijuana in pets, and educational materials clinicians can share directly with clients.
