Diversity in veterinary medicine: No longer the whitest, but still the biggest loserSeptember 25, 2020Veterinary medicine is no longer the whitest profession in the country. Speech pathologists and dental hygienists beat us out this time. Still, 90 percent white (down from 92 percent in 2013) is nothing to celebrate. As our country convulses anew over the ingrained effects of slavery, bigotry, and racism, the thoughtful veterinarian should probably question how these cultural forces affect our profession and what we should be doing to address its persistent homogeneity. Risks and rewards of homogeneity It can always be argued that, as in milk production, homogenization has its benefits. And it's true—we're somewhat more insulated against controversy, dissent, and unproductive infighting this way. But we're also lacking in diversity of thoughts, opinions, interests, ideas, and experiences. Oh… and don't forget the flavor. I mean, we're really quite bland (as our conferences' musical events continue to demonstrate). As a consequence of our composition, veterinarians don't argue much about race or diversity. We all seem to agree on one thing: Most of us appear to believe the ideal demographic composition of the veterinary profession should reflect the diversity of its entire community. We intuitively understand we can't adequately serve a nation as diverse as ours without graduating veterinarians …
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Why euthanasia will never be the sameAugust 19, 2020Most of us recognize COVID has done something to our clients’ collective psyche. How most socially distanced humans interact with their nonhuman friends has been altered, irrevocably.
Making technology work while in coronavirus mode (and beyond)July 6, 2020Remote consultation is about helping veterinarians do more with the information they already have at their disposal.
A veterinary meditation: Sources of hope in the midst of an outbreakJune 17, 2020In uncertain times, a fundamental human tendency is to project into the future and foresee the adversity that lies ahead. Some of us go straight to catastrophe, while others experience a more nebulous dread.
Got allergies? Welcome to the club (of veterinary masochists)May 26, 2020Did you know that in a recent study conducted by UC Davis, almost 90 percent of veterinarians tested positive for allergies?
Loving animals: Our profession's secret weapon or its Achilles heel?April 27, 2020Unlike previous generations, today's veterinary students are entering the profession aware of its pitfalls, driven by a love for and desire to work with animals.
Off Leash: Stalking stigmaMarch 3, 2020Eighteen years ago, Patty Khuly realized she had a problem. Anxiety, depression, and a family history of mental illness conspired with the stress of divorce, debt, and single motherhood to feed a cycle of self-medication with alcohol and prescription drugs.
Associate autonomy: How to preserve your professional independenceJanuary 9, 2020While being an associate has its charms, what can you do to preserve your professional independence?
Stand out in a crowdJanuary 7, 2020It behooves us to always keep in mind our clients also have choices. They vote by walking in our door; it’s up to us to communicate why we deserve their business.
Is it time we change our tune on telemedicine?May 24, 2019At some point, our profession got it into its collective head to start hating on telemedicine. Perhaps it was the image of non-veterinarians armed with third-tier vet tech degrees hunched over laptops banging out answers to questions they have no business fielding. And in their pajamas, no less! It's a mental picture my state's association—the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA)—is advancing this legislative season, as it seeks to limit telemedicine's reach into Sunshine State living rooms. And Florida is by no means alone in its quest to curb the telemedicine industry's growth. Most other state associations also are seeking a legislative solution to the perceived threat posed by online veterinary services. Telemedicine was front and center at American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA's) House of Delegates (HOD) meeting in January, the findings of which they'll likely present at this summer's conference in Washington, D.C. These are the best minds our profession has at its disposal, grappling with issues as fundamental as the nature of the veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR). It all comes down to the hands In its wariness of telemedicine, professional organizations like AVMA and state veterinary medical associations (VMAs) argue the definition of VCPR is at the heart of the …
