President's Message
Renee Rucinsky, DVM, DABVP (Feline), President
Over my many years in ABVP, I’ve been heavily involved in both credentials and maintenance of certification. I’ve also had numerous vet students and young vets come through my hospital, and I spend a fair amount of time speaking to general practitioners. Why am I mentioning this stuff? I’m mentioning because I think as specialists, sometimes we forget how much we know, how far we’ve come, and how really great our accomplishment of becoming a Diplomate really is.
About a year ago, world class athlete and coach Kara Lawson gave a speech to her team that has really become something that sticks in my mind. And although they were directed at college student
athletes, her words are applicable especially to specialist veterinarians. Her main point is that things don’t get easier as we move on in life - our cases or projects or whatever don’t get easier - we just learn to handle hard better. When we read case reports and summaries and think ‘oh this is too easy’ - is it really? Or is it that being specialists allows us to handle what is hard for other people better?
Our MOC process ensures that we’re constantly trying to find ways to handle hard better. As Diplomates we seek out challenges, and have accepted the responsibility to always strive to improve. We understand that things never get easier as veterinarians, or really just in general. But our training and discipline and desire to be at the top of our games allows us to continue to
handle hard better. Take a look at the video, and see if you also think that it applies to us. I hope that it can help you get through difficult days as much as it helps me.
Kara Lawson: Handle Hard Better
In more tangible news, we are getting closer to making the find a dip feature easier and more accurate, we have plans to update our website over the next year, and the updated applicant handbook is imminent. If you are mentoring any potential applicants, please make sure they use the most current handbook available.
Please contact the Outreach Chair, Sarah Eaton, if you’ve done anything really cool lately, or are speaking somewhere, or anything you want to brag about. We are all a big giant team, and personally, I love hearing about what everyone is doing.
Lastly, mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 26 at 8 pm EDT. We’ll have our first town hall meeting where we can chat about what’s going on with ABVP, you can ask questions or give me advice on how to do my job, or whatever. More information to follow - watch your email inboxes. We’ll also find a way to allow you to send questions or comments beforehand if you prefer so I can prep and get answers for you as needed.
Diplomate Breakfast at ExoticsCon
All ABVP Diplomates in attendance at ExoticsCon are welcome to attend a combined breakfast with Diplomates of the ACZM.
Date: Monday, August 21
Time: 7-8 AM Eastern
Location: Webster (Lobby Level) of the Westin Boston Seaport District
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Update
Sonnya Dennis, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline), MOC Chair
Journal Club: Since the Google Group/Listserv for optional discussion of journal club articles is preferred by all over Slack, Slack Journal Club site was closed August 1st per the previous notification. Please contact info@abvp.com to be added to the Google Group/Listserv if you are not already a member. This is also a great way to chat among peers and keep in touch!
Tip: You may carry over 50 points that you earned in excess of what was needed to MOC from your last cycle to your next cycle. Don’t forget to screenshot your “overage” so you can claim the points in the Additional Category once your new cycle begins.
The Veterinary Optimist
Tune into Jennifer Evan's podcast "The Veterinary Optimist," with fellow Diplomate, Gary Norsworthy, DVM, DABVP (Feline).
September 1, 2023
- Exam registration deadline. This must be completed by 11:59 PM Central Time
November 4, 2023
- Certification Exam
Residency and Job Postings
Don’t forget that ABVP has classified listings for open positions all over the USA!
