Have you ever noticed that some of our strongest leadership skills emerge in times of crisis? On April 27, 2011, I awoke to the sounds of sirens and the thunder of a powerful storm. My initial feeling of fear was quickly replaced by feelings of determination and the overwhelming need to protect my family and [...]
Categories: AVMA Leadership, Disaster Preparedness, Future Leaders, General
On January 7, the AVMA House of Delegates approved several revisions to the association’s Model Veterinary Practice Act, a document routinely used by state legislators and regulatory bodies for guidance on appropriate oversight of veterinary medicine. A special task force reviewed extensive comments from veterinarians, the public and AVMA entities before recommending the changes to [...]
Categories: Advocacy, Companion Animals, Disaster Preparedness, Drugs and Vaccines, Exotic Species, Fish, Food Animals, General, Horses, Policies and Governance, State Legislative Issues, Veterinary Technicians
Last week I met with twenty-three veterinarians in Washington DC to discuss issues of importance to our federally employed colleagues. These veterinarians all work in high level positions in public service for our country. Represented at the luncheon were veterinarians from the: Department of Homeland Security, USDA/APHIS/International Services, National Institute of Health, Association of American Veterinary [...]
Categories: AVMA Leadership, Advocacy, Disaster Preparedness, International Issues, One Health, Policies and Governance, Workforce Issues
Many of us fought to hold back the tears – and many of us simply let them fall – as we recently reflected on the tragic events that shook our nation 10 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001. The 10-year anniversary of that fateful day served as a stark reminder of how much the world [...]
Categories: AVMA Leadership, Disaster Preparedness, General
This weekend marks ten years since the horrific events of September 11, 2001, and I will be traveling to Liberty State Park across from Ground Zero with AVMA President Dr. Rene Carlson. She and I will attend a tribute event honoring the 9-11 Search and Rescue Dog teams and the VMATs and veterinarians who supported [...]
Categories: Animal Health, Animal Welfare, Canine, Disaster Preparedness, JAVMA, Volunteering
With Hurricane Irene bearing down on the East Coast, AVMA is taking part in national preparations with disaster planning officials. Our Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT) are on standby ready to deploy if needed to assist with veterinary medical care of animals affected by the storm. We are participating in daily update calls with our [...]
Categories: Disaster Preparedness
Are you prepared for the unexpected??? What if your home or office is without power? Illinois has faced record breaking levels of power outages this summer following a series of severe storms. When the power went down for two days in Schaumburg this week at the AVMA headquarters building all of us here were reminded [...]
Categories: Disaster Preparedness, Practice Management
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