Many faces, one profession
More than 400 positions exist on AVMA councils, committees, and task forces. To showcase the diverse backgrounds and expertise of the volunteers who serve on them and to inspire even more AVMA members to participate, JAVMA News is featuring a few entities each month. For more information about serving on one of these entities, go here, or contact officeevp
avma [dot] org (officeevp[at]avma[dot]org).
Judicial Council
Charge/mission: The council, on behalf of AVMA members, investigates allegations of unethical conduct and takes action regarding the discipline or dismissal of members, advises on questions of veterinary medical ethics and on questions relating to interpretation of the AVMA Bylaws, and investigates general professional conditions and matters pertaining to the relations of veterinarians to one another or to the public.
Members:
Dr. Kent D. McClure (TEX '88), chair, Animal Health Institute, Washington, D.C.
Dr. Mike J. Murphy (TEX '81), University of Minnesota
Dr. Emily A. Walton (OSU '81), Hancock County Board of Commissioners, Ohio
Col. Donald L. Noah (OSU '85), Department of Defense, Alexandria, Va.
Dr. David G. Beauchamp (NCU '85), Leland Veterinary Hospital, Leland, N.C.
What current project(s) are you most excited about?
Dr. Lyle P. Vogel, AVMA assistant executive vice president, said the council, with leadership by the chair, is developing a reference guide for itself that will result in consistent interpretation and implementation of the Rules of Disciplinary Procedure of the Judicial Council.
A recent meaningful accomplishment:
Dr. Vogel said the council recommended—and the Executive Board approved—an addition to the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics. The item states: "Veterinarians should disclose to clients potential conflicts of interest." The council recommended the addition after the AVMA Council on Veterinary Service raised concerns about conflicts of interest, giving a hypothetical example in which a veterinarian who has a business relationship with a pet shop also provides postpurchase "guarantee" examinations of pets from the shop.
How is your entity addressing the profession's pressing issues?
"One of the main functions of a professional association is to establish and enforce ethical standards for the profession," Dr. Vogel said. "The Judicial Council's major responsibility is to accomplish this function.
"At each meeting, the Judicial Council evaluates allegations against member veterinarians of violations of the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics and makes decisions regarding disciplinary action."
How is the entity addressing the strategic or operational goals of the AVMA?
Kent D. McClure, DVM, JD, chair, said the AVMA's strategic plan identifies one of the AVMA's core competencies as setting and preserving professional standards. He said the Judicial Council not only reviews allegations of unethical conduct and responds to requests for advice but also ensures that the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics address appropriate areas, provide good guidance to veterinarians, and protect the public.
Task Force on Foreign Veterinary Graduate Equivalence
Charge/mission: The task force's charge includes examining the feasibility and framework to create a single, independent entity to operate a program for the assessment of veterinary educational equivalence of graduates of non-AVMA/Council on Education-accredited veterinary schools and colleges.
Members:
Dr. James J. Brace (CAL '71), chair, Knoxville, Tenn.; representing American veterinary medical colleges
Dr. John R. Pascoe (QLD '75), Davis, Calif.; representing veterinary state boards
Dr. Corinne R. Sweeney (GA '78), Kennett Square, Pa.; representing veterinary state boards
Dr. Sylvia Latour (MON '83), Mont Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada; representing Canadian National Examining Board/Canada VMA
Dr. Philip A. Bushby (IL '72), Starkville, Miss.; representing the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates
Dr. Donald A. Prater (VMR '96), Blacksburg, Va.; representing the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates
What current project(s) are you most excited about?
According to Dr. David E. Granstrom, director of the AVMA Education and Research Division, task force members have been working with the American Association of Veterinary State Boards to identify and address the needs of foreign veterinary graduates, the profession, and society.
A recent meaningful accomplishment:
Although the task force has not completed its work, many areas of common understanding among the relevant groups have been identified so far, Dr. Granstrom said.
How is your entity addressing the profession's pressing issues?
The task force is working to bring about the most efficient system for ensuring that methods for the assessment of foreign veterinary graduate equivalence meet the needs of society for well-educated veterinarians in a wide variety of disciplines, Dr. Granstrom explained.
How is the entity addressing the strategic or operational goals of the AVMA?
The AVMA strategic goals follow from the Association's guiding principles, which include integrity, inclusiveness, unity, and science-based medicine, Dr. Granstrom said. The stated purpose of the AVMA is to advance the science and art of veterinary medicine. One of the core competencies that enables the AVMA to follow its guiding principles and purpose is setting and preserving professional standards. This includes the Standards of Accreditation for veterinary medical colleges maintained by the AVMA Council on Education, he explained. The AVMA strategic goal on veterinary medical education includes an objective to ensure foreign veterinary graduate certification remains rigorous and in step with the Standards of Accreditation. By working with key stakeholders to meet this objective, the AVMA is following its guiding principles and fulfilling its purpose to advance the art and science of veterinary medicine.