Upcoming summit to examine wellbeing strategies for veterinarians

A profession-wide summit meeting will bring together experts from both within and outside of the veterinary community next month to address vital wellbeing strategies for our profession.

The AVMA has teamed up with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and Zoetis to host the 2018 Veterinary Wellbeing Summit April 15-17 outside Chicago. The summit will cover a range of topics including the link between culture and wellbeing, the importance of boundary setting, addressing the perfectionism code, and the business case for wellbeing. Many of the sessions will offer a look at real-life scenarios, such as examples of successful wellbeing programs in various work environments, personal obstacles and success stories, and lessons learned.

In addition to facilitating critical conversations, the goal of the summit is to provide practical resources and strategies to enable participants ranging from academicians, students, and practitioners to establish a culture of wellbeing in their workplace and throughout the profession. Presenters will share healthy tips and strategies that can be implemented at a personal or professional level, by anyone at any time, no matter the size of your organization or the stage you are at in your career.

The Veterinary Wellbeing Summit also will offer attendees:

• An introduction to the nine dimensions of wellbeing and how you can influence each one
• 100 healthy tips you can take back and implement in your home, workplace and community
• Engaging and dynamic sessions that outline action-based steps to improve wellbeing
• Interactive breakout sessions
• A chance to make a difference in the profession by creating programs that improve the emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of veterinarians

The AVMA, AAVMC and Zoetis share a commitment to wellbeing in the veterinary profession and to providing resources to help individuals bring positive change to their workplaces. The summit offers an opportunity for veterinarians from all walks to join together in an exploration of effective strategies for improving the professional wellbeing of all in our profession.

If you are interested in learning more about, and contributing to, the wellbeing conversation – whether as a clinician, student, teacher or other member of the veterinary community – we encourage you to consider attending this important event. Space is limited, so early registration is advisable. Learn more about the 2018 Veterinary Wellbeing Summit and register here.

Full Schedule

Sunday, April 15

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch / Welcome
1:10 - 2:00 p.m. Mission Possible: Creating a Culture of Wellbeing – Dr. Jen Brandt, Director of Member Wellness and Diversity Initiatives, AVMA
2:00 - 2:15 p.m. Break
2:15 - 3:15 p.m. Disney to Dean: Insights on Career Success and Wellbeing - Dean Mark Stetter, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
3:30 - 4:20 p.m. Break Out Sessions (Attendee Choice)

• Update on CDC Research and Wellbeing Within the Veterinary Profession - Dr. Randall Nett, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Healthy 100 - AVMA LIFE and PLIT Tips - Dr. Katrina Geitner, AVMA LIFE, and Dr. Linda Ellis, AVMA PLIT
• Large Animal Practitioner Wellness - Dr. Allen Cannedy, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Building Boundaries - Becky Murray, Veterinary Specialty Center
• Cracking the Perfectionism Code - Dr. Betsy Charles, Veterinary Leadership Institute
• Diving Deep into AAHA’s Guide for Veterinary Team Wellbeing - Dr. Mike Cavanaugh and Dr. Heather Loenser, AAHA
• It Starts with On-boarding: Increase Employee Retention by Enhancing Wellbeing - Amanda Fark, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine

4:20 - 4:30 p.m. Break
4:30 - 5:00 p.m. Closing

Monday, April 16

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 - 9:50 a.m. Self Narration: How It Can Impact Your Wellbeing - Dr. Jaron Jones, Self-Narrate Inc. and University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
9:50 - 10:00 a.m. Break
10:00 -10:50 a.m. Break Out Sessions (Attendee Choice)

• Update on CDC Research and Wellbeing Within the Veterinary Profession - Dr. Randall Nett, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Healthy 100 - AVMA LIFE and PLIT Tips - Dr. Katrina Geitner, AVMA LIFE, and Dr. Linda Ellis, AVMA PLIT
• A View from the Inside Out: Building Robust Counseling and Wellbeing Services for Veterinary Medical Students - Dr. Laurie Fonken, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and Dr. Alex Rowell, Oregon State University
• Building Boundaries - Becky Murray, Veterinary Specialty Center
• Developing a Health and Wellbeing Approach - Dr. Scott Mogren and Cristin Connor, Banfield Pet Hospital
• What’s Culture Got to Do with It? Understanding the Link Between Your Team’s Wellbeing and Your Hospital’s Culture - Dr. Mike Cavanaugh and Dr. Heather Loesner, AAHA
• Self-Narration: Wellbeing Workshop - Dr. Jaron Jones, Self-Narrate Inc. and University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine

10:50 - 11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 - 11:50 a.m. Occupational Health in Veterinary Medicine - Dr. Heather Fowler, National Pork Board
11:50 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Lunch
12:45 - 1:00 p.m. Break
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Planning Prevention and Post-intervention After an Event in the Workplace - Dr. Barry Feldman, University of Massachusetts Medical School
2:30 - 2:45 p.m. Full Attendee Energizer / Refresher - Dr. Betsy Charles, Veterinary Leadership Institute
2:45 - 3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 - 3:50 p.m. Creating a Culture of Wellbeing in Veterinary Medicine - Panel Discussion with Dr. Betsy Charles, Dr. Laura Smallwood, Dr. Keelan Lewis, Dr. Christina Moore, and Crystal Chrisler
3:50 - 4:15 p.m. Break
4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Importance of Wellbeing in Veterinary Medicine - Dr. Christine Jenkins, Zoetis

Tuesday, April 17

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 - 10:15 a.m. Mental Health Services: Demystifying Credentials and Finding Support - Dr. Chandra Grabill, Michigan State University, Bethany Colaprete, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Stephanie Johnson, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Kerry Karaffa, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine
10:15 - 10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 - 11:20 a.m. Breakout Sessions (Attendee Choice)

• Safety in Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Heather Fowler, National Pork Board
• Healthy 100 - AVMA LIFE and PLIT Tips - Dr. Katrina Geitner, AVMA LIFE, and Dr. Linda Ellis, AVMA PLIT
• It Starts with On-boarding: Increase Employee Retention by Enhancing Wellbeing- Amanda Fark, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary medicine
• Planning Prevention and Post-intervention After an Event in the Work Place - Dr. Barry Feldman, University of Massachusetts Medical School
• Developing a Health and Wellbeing Approach - Dr. Scott Mogren and Cristin Connor, Banfield Pet Hospital
• Cracking the Perfectionism Code - Dr. Betsy Charles, Veterinary Leadership Institute
• Self-Narration: Wellbeing Workshop - Dr. Jaron Jones, Self-Narrate Inc. and University of Florida College of Veterinary medicine
• Large Animal Practitioner Wellness - Dr. Allen Cannedy, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine

11:20 - 11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Closing Ceremony/ Lunch