Profession gathers for first-ever virtual Veterinary Leadership Conference

By all accounts, the AVMA’s first-ever virtual Veterinary Leadership Conference (VLC) was a big success.

Held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 VLC attracted more than 600 attendees who gathered to expand and hone their leadership skills with a mix of continuing education sessions, AVMA governance meetings, featured speakers, and networking over the course of three days. If you’re interested in seeing what this year's VLC had to offer, you can still register and view all education sessions on demand through March.

Attendees included the members of the AVMA House of Delegates (HOD), representatives from state and allied veterinary medical associations, veterinarians from across the profession, veterinary students, and AVMA staff members and volunteers.

When your HOD gathers twice a year to conduct association business and consider policies, the interests of members drive the conversation, deliberation, and action.

Veterinary Information Forum

A highlight of the HOD’s leadership conference meeting is the AVMA’s Veterinary Information Forum (VIF), where delegates address issues of concern in the profession. The AVMA thanks the hundreds of members who answered our call for input on the topics addressed during this year’s forum: veterinary medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and the timing of canine spay/neuter.

Delegates held constructive discussions on both topics during the full HOD meeting and smaller committee meetings. While no formal action was taken on either topic, delegates were able to share a wide variety of experiences and opinions, which helps the AVMA’s ongoing efforts to ensure that the Association is providing the resources, education, and guidance that AVMA's more than 97,000 members need and expect.

Sharing progress and good news

HOD members also heard updates on many of the AVMA’s member-focused initiatives in 2020. These included the popular digital education platform AVMA Axon; the success of veterinary economics initiatives, including record-setting attendance for the 2020 Economic Summit; and new products and services launched this year by the AVMA Trust (AVMA LIFE and AVMA PLIT). Representatives from the AVMA Political Action Committee, American Veterinary Medical Foundation, and Student AVMA also provided 2020 updates and a look ahead at 2021.

Policies and resolutions

The HOD took the following actions on AVMA resolutions and policies:

• Resolution 1—Rules for officer election campaigns: The HOD referred the resolution to the House Advisory Committee for clarification of provisions relating to campaigning and endorsements.
• Resolution 2—Expansion of dues reduction for newer graduates: The HOD referred the resolution to the Board of Directors for consideration by the Strategy Management Committee and the Budget and Financial Review Committee.
• Resolution 3—AVMA policy on advocating for necessary veterinary medical therapy: The HOD approved this new policy.
• Resolution 4—AVMA revised policy on exempt biologics: The HOD approved the revised policy.
• Resolution 5—AVMA revised policy on guidelines for use of autogenous biologics: The HOD approved the revised policy.
• Resolution 6—AVMA revised policy on veterinary dentistry: The HOD approved the revised policy.
• Resolution 7—AVMA revised Model Veterinary Practice Act: The HOD approved the revised model practice act.

Recognition of service/Council appointments

The HOD recognized these colleagues, whose terms were ending, and thanked them for their strong contributions and service: Marie Bucko, outgoing Student AVMA president; and Dr. Wayne Roberson, delegate from Louisiana.

The HOD appointed Dr. Boyd Parr to the AVMA Council on Public Health, and Dr. Susan Tornquist to the AVMA Council on Research.