Read what's happening within ABVP.
President's Message
Jon Townsend, DVM, PhD, DABVP (Dairy Practice), President
Well a lot has gone on since I communicated with you last! I thought I would be turned out to pasture and forgotten about by this point but I’m still hanging around. In the words of The Who, “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss”.
Dr. Bill Folger, our President-Elect for 2021-2022, decided to step down for personal reasons. Dr. Folger contributed a lot to ABVP over the years, and I personally want to thank him for his service and dedication to ABVP and wish him well. With Dr. Folger resigning, we perused our bylaws and P&P and this particular situation wasn’t directly covered. Through help with interpretation by Dr. Mike Dutton and Dr. Craig Datz, it was decided that Dr. Gary Thompson, our incoming President-Elect and I would split the President’s duties for the next year, with me serving as President until December 31st, 2021 and Dr. Thompson assuming the President’s duties on January 1st, 2022 and serving in that capacity until June 30th, 2023, at which point Dr. Renee Rucinsky will step into the President’s role. Dr. Tracey Jensen will stay on in her Past-President’s role until December 31st, 2021, at which time I will assume those responsibilities until June 30th, 2023. These arrangements allowed all involved to help share the responsibilities and to not put unexpected duties on any of Board. I realize this may seem like an Abbott and Costello routine of “Who’s on First” but hopefully it makes sense. If you have questions please contact the Board.
I also wanted to give you an update on our Strategic Planning Session that was held in person in Nashville, TN on June 24th and 25th. Through the guidance of Association Options and Bill Pawlucy we had a great discussion of our strengths and weaknesses and what we need to do for making ABVP relevant and strong for the future. Through your input we organized our big focus areas as Value, Branding, Growth, and Leadership. These areas provide us a roadmap of priorities for the next 2-3 years, with each Goal Area having a “Goal Sponsor” to help achieve the priorities and make sure we stay on task. The details will be hashed out in the next couple of months and at our in-person meeting of the BOD and COR during Symposium. I am excited by the pathway that we are developing. Our discussions also identified weaknesses in our Bylaws that we’ll also be looking into. While not exciting, any changes will hopefully make us better in the long run. There’s lots to do so if you have interest in being involved and helping shape the future of ABVP, please contact me, the other members of the BOD, committee chairs, or your Regent to ask about opportunities to serve.
Finally, I want to remind you all of the ABVP Symposium in New Orleans September 16th through the 19th. While there may be fewer exhibitors this year due to continued corporate travel restrictions and competition from other large conferences such as WVC the prior week, we will still have a great in-person CE meeting for you to earn MOC points! I can’t thank Dr. Carondelet Nollner and her committee for all the work they have put in on behalf of ABVP. Just another awesome display of the volunteers that make ABVP happen.
I hope you all are doing well and having a great summer. Stay cool out there. Thank you for allowing me to serve you. Take care and stay well in your end of the barn!
Jon
Your ABVP Foundation Needs YOU
Symposium is just 50 days away and we need your help in supporting the ABVP Foundation. The ABVP Foundation has formulated plans to aid in recruiting new candidates and fostering interest in ABVP through outreach to veterinary teaching institutions, research sponsorships and student/mentor abstracts.
HOW CAN YOU HELP? Please consider donating to this year's online auction that will start in advance of the Symposium. Experiences such as vacations, vacation homes, mentorship, education and other opportunities would be encouraged. Smaller items such as artwork, etc. would be appreciated and would require shipment to the winning bidder.
Please contact: Julie Hass, DVM, MS, DABVP (Canine & Feline Practice) at jhass@vcsmilford.com to make donations, ask questions or offer suggestions!
Call for Volunteers Interested in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee
With the foundational knowledge that veterinary excellence requires diversity of perspectives, ideas, and approaches, the ABVP Diversity Equity and Inclusion ad hoc committee has started an internal self assessment to clearly identify barriers to becoming a Diplomate. Part of this assessment is collecting the demographic data of our membership, as well as those applying to become Diplomates. Just like routine wellness checks are an important part of ensuring the health and well being of our veterinary patients and herds, data collection is fundamental to understanding the health and well-being of an organization, workplace, university or nation. Collecting information on race, ethnicity, sex, disability status, sexual orientation,
and other factors is necessary to create evidence-based policies that address key disparities in access to becoming a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. Indeed, it is impossible to measure progress towards a more diverse diplomate population without data on the underlying makeup of our applicant pool and diplomates.
We are looking for volunteers who are motivated to change the status quo and willing to work as a team, not afraid of making mistakes and willing to learn and grow. If you are interested, please email info@abvp.com with what you feel diversity, equity and inclusion mean as well as why you are interested in being on the committee.
Support Fellow Diplomate Rob Coke
Dr. Rob Coke, DACZM, DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian Practice), San Antonio Zoo Director of Veterinary Care, has been named a finalist for a national award, The Hero Veterinarian. Please consider voting for Dr. Coke. You can vote once per day until 2:00 PM Central on July 29, 2021.
Vote HERE.
New MOC & Diplomate Payment Systems
ABVP is in the process of moving its system to our new technology partner, Prolydian. Currently, we have moved the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process and our payment system for annual Diplomate and Emeritus Diplomate Fees.
If you've already logged into everything, great! If not, please click below to learn more.
Journal Club
Should our bi-monthly emails not make it to your inbox, keep in mind you can always bookmark the URL for your RVS' Journal Club and check-in periodically for updates!
**Remember, this is now a mandatory part of the MOC process.**
Exotic Companion Mammal Journal Club
Residency and Job Postings
Don’t forget ABVP has classified listings for open positions all over the USA!
Event Calendar 2021-2022
September 1, 2021
Exam registration and fee deadline. Registration for all Candidates and MOC Diplomates must be completed via your ABVP online account by 11:59 PM Central Time
First-time Credentials Application and fee deadline. All applications and fees must be submitted via your ABVP online account by 11:59 PM Central Time
September 15, 2021
ABVP Exam (All Exams)
September 16-19, 2021
- ABVP Symposium, New Orleans, Louisiana
January 15, 2022
Credentials documentation deadline for both Initial Applications and Re-Applications. All documentation must be submitted via your ABVP online account by 11:59 P.M. Central Time
Swine Health Management Entry Exam registration and fee deadline. Registration must be completed via your ABVP online account by 11:59 P.M. Central Time
Semi-Annual Residency Logs deadline. Logs must be submitted via your ABVP SmartSheet account by 11:59 P.M. Central Time
