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The Modern Balancing Act: Achieving Work-Life Balance
April 28, 2022

Tired of teetering out of control? Do you feel overwhelmed by your work, home and family responsibilities? Are you frequently stressed because you can’t get everything done? If your life seems like a circus: juggling work, home and family responsibilities – you’re not alone. Many people just like you feel like their life is leading them, instead of them leading a purpose-driven life and choosing where they spend their time. So, who’s running the show? Is it your smartphone, your laptop, your boss – or you? If your answer is something else than you it’s time to get back in the driver’s seat!

Life balance is a buzzword these days for good reason. It’s a chronic issue that comes up in conversation because quite simply, life has become harder to manage. With email, smartphones and everything else demanding our attention, it’s no wonder we get bogged down in to-do lists and at the end of the day, we don’t know where the time went. We’re expected to work faster and more efficiently, plus we’re more accessible than ever because of new technology that allows us to work or communicate from anywhere. Information comes at us faster than ever and this trend shows no sign of stopping.

The problem with your life being out of balance is:

· You’re not focusing your attention and time where you want to, and not living the life you want to live.

· It feels like your life is on autopilot; like someone else is driving the bus and you are not in control.

· When you feel pressured to handle so many tasks and have so many demands on your time, you lose creative thinking and effectiveness – not to mention becoming physically exhausted.

The flip side of this issue is we all want greater fulfillment in our lives and careers than ever before. It’s no longer acceptable to punch a time clock at the same job for our whole lives and wait until retirement to have fun. We want fulfillment and balance now. I’ve noticed through my career coaching practice that, while people are craving greater balance, they are having more trouble achieving it.

So what can you do to create balance in your life today? Here are some tips:

Step One: Make a list of the different areas of your life where you’re not spending as much time and energy as you’d like. For example, if you’ve lost touch with friends and family or aren’t connecting with them as frequently as you want to, put that down. Come up with at least three areas that need work in terms of your time and attention.

In each of these three areas, identify one action step you can take in the next week to improve upon that area. Will you make a commitment to call one friend in the next week or spend time with at least one family member? Make the action step simple, realistic and give yourself a deadline. Taking one step in each of these areas will create greater balance in your life. Continue to do this every week until you develop a habit of attending to the areas of your life that are important to you.

Step Two: Learn to balance work and personal time. If work is one of those areas that’s taking over your life, try some of these techniques to better manage your work time and attention.

· Turn off your smartphone and/or email when you need focused time to work on a project.

· Set your email settings to only check emails when you press send/receive, not every time an email comes through. Some inboxes also have the option to “pause” your inbox until you are ready to see new emails. Having the email buzz at you whenever you receive a new message is incredibly distracting.

· Turn off your voicemail or email chime on your phone. Make a commitment to only check your voicemail and email twice a day at certain times.

· Prioritize your tasks on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Consciously choose where you focus your time and energy.

· Plan ahead. When you know a big project is coming up, plan for how you need to spend your time and delegate other tasks as necessary. Don’t wait for crunch time to rearrange your priorities.

· Set boundaries. For example, decide how late you are willing to stay at work each night and how frequently this will happen. Before you dive into a task, determine how much time you can and will spend on that task. Set a goal for yourself, you’ll be more likely to achieve it.

Your action steps don’t have to be complicated; they simply require time for self-reflection and a true commitment to implement. When you create greater balance in your life you will experience greater fulfillment, effectiveness and productivity. You will be less stressed and won’t get sick as often. And most importantly, you’ll be leading the life you want to lead!

We hope this is helpful to you!
The career coaches at HallieCrawford.com

Hallie has been a certified career coach, speaker, author, and national career expert since 2002. Her company, Create Your Career Path, is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. She is regularly featured in the media (Forbes, CNN, Money magazine, WSJ) and has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Vanderbilt University and the University of Illinois. With over 2,000 success stories, her team of coaches and resume writers help professionals find jobs that make them want to jump out of bed in the morning to go to work. Their website is www.createyourcareerpath.com.

Time Management in a New Era
June 4, 2021

Written by: Hallie Crawford, MA, CPCC

Certified Career Coach and Founder of Create Your Career Path Career Coaching

As the coronavirus pandemic starts to slow, businesses have a brand new challenge of figuring out how to handle in some cases bringing people back to the office/field, letting them work remotely or a hybrid model. This can make professionals feel overwhelmed with how to manage their time. For example, managing work from home can be easier said than done. It's far too easy to get caught up in day-to-day professional activities and never take a break. Or it can seem hard to find time to get any work done while at home with your family or partners! Then layer on managing a schedule at home one week, in person another week or any combination of this, it's even harder to set up an effective daily structure.

Here are two ways we suggest you work on improving your time management, and six steps you can take to manage that extra long to do list.

Assess your current work-life balance. In order to know what improvements you may need to make, it's important to determine your current status. Think about categories such as your family, friends, health and work and how satisfied you currently feel in those areas. You can use our free Work-Life Balance Wheel to help you with this exercise. What changes would you like to make for greater work-life balance?

Set boundaries. Think about your current work schedule and boundaries that you could set according to your industry and situation. Will you answer work emails after 7 p.m.? Will you work on weekends? Do you need a quiet area in the house for certain hours during the day to focus on important tasks and projects? Talk to your household about how you can better respect each other’s schedules. Then be proactive about respecting the boundaries you have set.

Next, if you're feeling overwhelmed by your extra long to do list and don't know where to start, here’s an easy checklist that you can use to separate and organize your long list of tasks effectively. I use this with my clients when they’re struggling with time management during their career transition.

Step One: Make a list of everything you have on your plate to do, for today, tomorrow, even the month ahead. It's OK if it's long.

Step Two: Prioritize your list based on what’s urgent and what isn't.

Step Three: Break it down into manageable chunks by categorizing each task based on type of task: Admin, Financial, Sales, etc. Decide what items are highest priority each day and need to be tackled first. As you are prioritizing tasks each day, you can narrow down your to do list based on what you can...
         1. Delegate
         2. Say no to
         3. Say yes to (like saying yes to getting help cleaning your garage, finding a babysitter for help with your kids, etc.)
         4. Put off until later – schedule tasks for later in the month or year if they're not urgent.

Step Four: Categorize your tasks like this every week to keep your list manageable.

Step Five: Place these categories somewhere accessible. I keep this list in a folder on my desk that's always there when I need it.

Step Six: Time block: Especially when you're working remotely, it's important to block out your time in terms of what tasks you will perform at what times of day and days of the week. Decide when you are at your best for the hardest tasks, when you will check your email and when you'll work on specific projects. Take breaks! Schedule those in, as well as time to connect with co-workers, etc. for social interaction.

Hallie is a certified career coach, speaker, author, and national career expert with over 21 years of experience. Her company, Create Your Career Path, is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. She is regularly featured in the media (Forbes, CNN, Money magazine, WSJ) and has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Vanderbilt University and the University of Illinois. With over 1,500 success stories, her team of coaches and resumé writers help professionals find jobs that make them want to jump out of bed in the morning to go to work. Her website is www.halliecrawford.com.

Diversity & Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine
November 30, 2020

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine, the AAIV Board of Directors has unanimously decided to offer two scholarships for the Purdue Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion. This program is designed for veterinarians and veterinary technicians who want to build inclusive work environments that are welcoming to clients. Veterinarians and veterinary technicians will earn 9 continuing education credits upon certificate completion. At the end of this program, the professional will have a better understanding of diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine and how to apply that knowledge in their personal and professional lives. In addition to certification and continuing education credits, the recipients will be given the opportunity to write an article for a future AAIV newsletter and contribute to our AAIV blog posts throughout the year as they apply their learning at work and at home.

Information on the program can be found here: https://vet.purdue.edu/humancenteredvetmed/professionals.php.

AAIV members with a current membership and who would like to apply for the scholarships should research the program and send a letter of interest and resume to industryvets@gmail.com by January 31, 2020.

In Memoriam: John W. Paul
November 24, 2020

JOHN W. PAUL DVM, MS, age 86 passed away peacefully on October 29, 2020 after a more than 20-year challenge of Parkinson’s disease. John (or Bill as he was known in his early years) was born in Livonia NY to Ralph W. and Hazel M. (Collins) Paul and grew up in Bloomfield NY.

He attended the Bloomfield Central School and graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in Business/Marketing. John served in the US Army and continued his education at the Ohio State University earning both a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a Masters in Clinical Pharmacology. John had a long and distinguished career in Animal Health, including the development of Panacur® and Regu-Mate® for horses. He retired from Hoechst Roussel Vet headquartered in Somerville NJ in 1998 before moving to Canandaigua NY.

John was active in several professional organizations including AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners), where he served as Treasurer, AAVPT and AVMA. While in college, John drove the starting gate at Vernon Downs (NY). Later he owned and raced two Standardbred horses, Tippecanoe and Herald N.

John’s move to Canandaigua brought him back to his roots. He served on the Board of the Ontario County Historical Society and was a member of Canandaigua Scientific. In 2014, he and his niece Patricia White Talley published A Genealogical Study of the American Paul/Paull Family.

John’s passion was not limited to professional pursuits and horses. He put his business and marketing skills to work leading successful fundraisers reflecting his love of history and art. These include Canandaigua Artists Past and Present, Art of our Faiths and the juried show Women Artists of the Finger Lakes. Each of these was more successful than the one before with proceeds supporting his Church.

John’s most significant contribution was founding the Parkinson Support Group of the Finger Lakes (PSGFL) in 2008. This group has grown from 12 Canandaigua members to serve hundreds of PD patients/caregivers in 8 New York counties. PSGFL will continue to expand its support of the PD community in John’s memory.

John is survived by his wife of 31 years Patricia Pidgeon Smith, son John Cameron Paul, two grandchildren, a great-grandson, brother-in-law Walter P. Pidgeon Jr., sister-in-law Susan W. Pidgeon, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, four sisters: Lucille (Kenneth) Sanderson, Marian (Robert) White, Jeanette (Leonard) Wesley and Thelma (Lewis) Buckman, niece Nancy Boylan and nephew Leonard Wesley Jr.

Our gratitude to the staff at Bridges of Mendon for their wonderful care of John. We look forward to a celebration of John’s life in Spring/Summer 2021 when weather and pandemic safety should be more favorable.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson Support Group of the Finger Lakes (PSGFL), PO Box 131, Canandaigua NY 14424 or the First Congregational Church, 58 North Main Street, Canandaigua NY 14424. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home Inc., Canandaigua. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.

Call for Nominations: House Advisory Committee
November 23, 2020

Written by: Debra Nickelson, DVM, MBA
AAIV Alt. Delegate to the AVMA HOD

Nominations are now being accepted for one At-Large position on the House Advisory Committee (HAC). The position carries a three-year term, beginning at the close of the HOD Regular Annual Session in July 2021. The responsibilities of HAC members include:

1. Consider all developments relating to veterinary medicine from a long-range viewpoint, be alert to the changing needs for and demands on the entire profession, and make recommendations to the House of Delegates and the Board of Directors as to how these changing conditions can best be met for the overall welfare of the profession;
2. Act in a leadership capacity to the House of Delegates on all matters referred to the House of Delegates reference committees;
3. Make a detailed study of the reports from the AVMA councils and committees in advance of the annual session and make recommendations to the House of Delegates on such reports;
4. Meet sufficiently in advance of each session so that its recommendations can be prepared for presentation to the delegates prior to or at the time the House of Delegates convenes;
5. Review and approve the credentials of candidates for President-Elect, Vice President, councils, the House Advisory Committee, and, when necessary, the President;
6. In the event that the office of President-Elect or Vice President becomes vacant, appoint a qualified voting member of the Association to assume those respective duties until the next election; and
7. Act as the Bylaws committee for the House of Delegates.

The deadline for receipt of HAC nominations is May 1, 2021. Nomination materials, including the nomination form, a one-two page resume, and a completed Campaign Guide Form with photo may be emailed to OfficeEVP@avma.org. Because HAC candidates will give a two minute speech to the HOD during the HOD Annual Session in July 2021, they are not required to create a campaign video, unless desired. Or if the meeting is virtual, candidates must submit a video.
Interested candidates should submit the attached nomination materials (HAC Nomination Form and HAC Campaign Guide Form), along with a resume and photo, by the May 1 deadline. The forms are also located on the House Advisory Committee Volunteers page of the AVMA website (click for forms).

Veterinary Profession Looks to Change Storyline on Diversity & Inclusion
November 23, 2020

Written by: Tangela Williams, DVM & Meg Conlon, DVM

The October 21st, 2020 Time Magazine headline -- “Pet Owners are Diverse, Veterinarians are Not“ – was blunt, but the numbers don’t lie. More than 85% of veterinary professional identify as white, while only 1-2% identify as black/African American, 3% as Hispanic/Latino, 2% as Asian/Pacific Islander, and 1% as Native American. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Neither do pet owners or veterinary professionals own experiences which can be embarrassing, lonely and demoralizing. Perhaps most disturbing -- the percentage of black veterinarians has declined since 2016. (Time Magazine) That decline tells us change requires consistent work across the profession including veterinary associations, universities, industry partners, and individuals.

The good news is efforts are underway beginning with the organizations that represent the veterinary community. The AVMA, AAHA, and AAVMC are just a few of the veterinary organizations offering an array of tools for anyone in the profession to access. AAHA continues to push standards for hospital excellence by providing “steps that you can take right now toward becoming an antiracist practice, professional, and individual.” For practices, the association calls for expanded recruitment, starting with historically black colleges, introducing mandatory antiracism training, and educating oneself with resources like Navigating Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine or by discovering the benefits of diversity in the veterinary profession. As a veterinary professional, AAHA provides links for joining networks like BlackDVM Network or getting involved with the National Association for Black Veterinarians or the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association. They identify certification opportunities like Purdue’s online program for Diversity & Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. And, they remind us that as individuals there are a plethora of resources from the National Museum of African History & Culture to documentaries and books, which they list on their website here.

The AVMA is providing important resources, including webinars, their own Work Place Wellbeing Certificate program, and podcasts, as well as collaborating with key stakeholders to build a strategy to identify goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the veterinary profession. The AVMA is also in the process of hiring an outside consultant to support and advance its D&I initiatives. Check out their resources here.

Veterinary schools are also taking action through the AAVMC, individually, and in partnership with industry . Take time to listen to AAVMC’s Diversity & Inclusion on Air. The program, which was launched in 2015, aims to deliver more diversity programming to a wider veterinary audience, covering a variety of topics with guests from across the profession. On their website, you can also find a link to their strategic plan which outlines how D&I are part of their core values.

We know is the hurdles begin long before veterinary school. Young people don’t have black veterinary role models regardless of their socioeconomic status. Others at an economic disadvantage are shut out of the competitive veterinary school admissions process from the start, lacking role models and either finding shadow experiences non-existent or failing to rack up these critical hours for admission because they can’t afford to take an unpaid internship. The repercussions of these shortcomings in the pipeline reverberate to admissions at veterinary colleges all the way through to recruitment at the clinic level and in corporate medicine. Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine created League of VetaHumanz. The program will focus on expanding role models to reach children who may not have veterinarians in their lives by creating a global and inclusive Veterinary Superhero League. The program will engage K-12 students by creating and delivering resources focused on science, technology, engineering, and math. (Mattson, 2020).

Veterinary schools also offer programs like vet camps offering valuable veterinary experience for students interested in the field at no cost in every part of the country, in both urban and rural settings, in an effort to reach students from all walks of life. Other opportunities can be found at veterinary clinics, humane societies, shelters and wildlife rescue centers. According to Time Magazine, the University of Arizona’s new vet school is “among those that have stopped requiring applicants to have a minimum number of hours of clinical experience. Instead, applicants can explain how they’ve found success in the face of hardship or how they’ve adapted to change. Of the 110 students in its inaugural class, 33% were minorities, officials say.”

Universities know they have a lot of ground to make up. Consider that Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine is the only veterinary medical professional program located on the campus of a historically black college or university in the United States and more than 70 percent of the nation’s African-American veterinarians claim it as their alma mater. Industry and the AVMA are hoping to help change that dynamic. Several animal health companies are partnering with the AVMA and veterinary colleges to provide scholarships for students of color to attend veterinary school.

The profession has many miles to go in their journey to become a more diverse and inclusive profession. And, it will require everyone to make the journey. But, the outlook today is hopeful with so much to gain for the profession and the pet owners we serve.

Commission Positions
November 17, 2020

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) are excited to announce the launch of the Commission for a Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Veterinary Profession (Commission). The newly formed Commission will be charged with establishing actionable goals that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the veterinary community.

First, in addition to the seven individuals who have been appointed by the founding member organizations of the Commission, AVMA will be selecting six people who have a demonstrated interest, knowledge, and experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion. Anyone interested in being appointed must send an email containing a brief bio (250 to 300 words), and a short statement of interest in serving on the Commission (up to 300 words) to Adrian Hochstadt, Deputy CEO of the AVMA, ahochstadt@avma.org, (847) 306-0374, by November 23, 2020.

Second, AVMA seeks additional veterinary professionals to serve on the Commission's Advisory Group, which will be a larger, more informal body supporting the work of the Commission by providing critical feedback, populating working groups, and generating ideas. Those wanting to apply to serve on the Commission's Advisory Group must send their contact information and a brief bio (250-300 words) to Adrian Hochstadt, ahochstadt@avma.org, (847) 306-0374 by November 23, 2020.

In the near term, the Commission is expected to meet virtually, with no travel or financial requirements. Please note that individuals participating in the Commission commit to driving the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the veterinary medical profession and will incorporate this principle in their actions.

August 2020 Bylaws Vote Results
September 20, 2020

AAIV members voted to change the association's bylaws regarding membership and dues. This change simplified membership categories and now allows international members to vote.

Additionally, the new bylaws allow retired AAIV members to be granted LifeTime member status. If you are a retired AAIV member, please contact us at industryvets@gmail.com to learn more. The updated bylaws are below:

Article II. Membership and Dues.

1. Active Voting Member. Member who is current on dues.
a. Regular Members (includes AVMA and non AVMA members and internationally based members)
b. Lifetime Members - Any member granted Lifetime Member status prior to the 2015 Amendments to these Bylaws is grandfathered into the Association as a Lifetime Member; any previous Regular Member who has retired from veterinary work is granted Lifetime Member status.
2. Active Non-Voting Member. Member who is current on dues but does not have voting privileges.
a. Veterinary Students

Upcoming Industry Webinar:
AAIV Presents: Career Opportunities in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Research Compliance
September 20, 2020

November 5
1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT/11 a.m. MT/10 a.m. PT

This webinar will help attendees better understand the specialty of laboratory animal medicine and the main tasks performed by laboratory animal practitioners. They will also learn about the basic elements of animal research oversight and compliance. Participants will gain insight into the other components of research compliance that involve animal research including biosafety, conflict of interest, and stem cell research oversight.

Join Dr. Stacy Pritt, Assistant Vice President of Conflict of Interest & the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas (UTSW), for this special AAIV webinar and learn about “Career Opportunities in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Research Compliance.”

Register Now

You're Invited: Networking and Remaining Relevant During Challenging Times
September 20, 2020

Thursday, November 19, 2020
6:00 to 7:00 PM CST

You are invited to participate in a conversation about Networking and Remaining Relevant During Challenging Times.

In this conversation with The Bridge Club, we will take a self-audit of our networking approaches, identify new opportunities and build our personal brands while we wait for in-person networking to resume.

Sponsored by The Bridge Club and AAIV

Register Now

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
August 15, 2020

The AAIV supports the actionables led by MCVMA (Multicultural VMA) sent to the AVMA.

The AVMA’s ongoing DEI initiatives include:
• Strategies to increase the number of diverse applicants to colleges of veterinary medicine.
• Strategies to build DEI capabilities and capacities within the AVMA itself (staff and volunteers).
• Strategies to build DEI capabilities and capacities of veterinarians and their teams so they can support healthy practices and best serve their clients and communities.

The AVMA news release with additional information on initiatives adopted may be found here:
https://www.avma.org/news/press-releases/profession-wide-effort-diversity-equity-inclusion

Many AAIV members are leading efforts personally to grow diversity, equity and inclusion within their workplaces and with our colleagues. Webinars and other interactive forums are offered now; please check the AAIV website for information on upcoming events.

We all must work to be more inclusive personally and in our professional spaces. The AAIV is aligned with this collaborative effort. Please contact AAIV BOD President-Elect Matt Krecic and Secretary Tim Smaha at industryvets@gmail.com for more information.

Upcoming Industry Webinar: AAIV Presents: Investments, Market Volatility, Media Noise and You!
August 15, 2020

September 10
1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT/11 a.m. MT/10 a.m. PT

Join Darby Affeldt, DVM, RICP to discuss the basics of investment planning, how to navigate natural market volatility and the associated media noise, and how that can impact investors.

We’ll start by discussing some fundamental investment concepts. Then we’ll review some of the investment options that are available to attendees and consider some general investment strategies. Since we are currently experiencing major market volatility, we’ll then use the concepts we have discussed to highlight how we can use volatility to our advantage. Investors can decrease market risk by developing a strategy – custom to their own situation - and sticking to it so that their financial goals could still be met, despite the volatility! Finally, we’ll discuss how attendees might go about determining such a strategy, how to allocate investment dollars, all specific to their goals and life plans.

Attendees will take away investing fundamentals concepts and learn if they need to build or revisit their investment philosophy, specific to their own situation. It will assist attendees in thinking about their own investment needs and may help them to determine whether they might benefit from working with a financial planning professional.

Register Now

Results: AAIV Bylaws Vote
May 25, 2020

AAIV members voted to update the following wording in the association's bylaws. Please stay tuned for more information and the positive change this may bring for current and future AAIV members.

Article II, no. 4, letter a
Previous wording--
Dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors and shall be assessed annually on a 12-month rolling subscription basis.

Wording updated May 2020--
Dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors and shall be assessed annually on July 1.

Deadline Extended to July 1: Take the Compensation Survey Today
May 25, 2020

This year's compensation survey deadline has been extended to July 1! The compensation survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, and the reports from this survey consistently provide relevant data for industry veterinarians and companies.

We encourage you to contribute your information by taking the survey today and passing the link along to your colleagues:

https://forms.gle/MYU38EStkBNCZFS89

In Memoriam: Dr. Bruce Wren
May 25, 2020

AAIV Past President Dr. Wallace “Bruce” Wren, 85, of Lenexa, Kan., passed away May 20, 2020. Inspired by his dairy veterinarian uncle Dr. Walter Johnson, Bruce graduated from K-State in 1958 and later obtained a Master’s (1962) and PhD in veterinary pathology (1968) there. In 1958 he entered the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, Ft. Jackson, S.C. From 1960 on, Wren worked in a veterinary practice in Ottawa, Kan., as well as later working in diagnostic labs including his own as well as the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Lincoln. He also was a technical services veterinarian (livestock) for several animal health companies and continued to consult after his retirement. He was a member of numerous national and state veterinary associations.

2019 Reflection
December 18, 2019

Hello from Pam Mitchell! I have been an AAIV member many years, later becoming an At-large Board of Directors member. I then served as Secretary in 2018, President-Elect in 2019 and starting in 2020, will serve as your President.
The AAIV Board of Directors follow the organization’s Vision and Mission to guide us in our activities.

Vision
To be indispensable for improving the health and welfare of all species
Mission
Promote the value of veterinarians in human and animal health care industries

We wish to thank our Board Members who transitioned off the BOD this year, for their service: Michelle Larsen, Stacy Pritt, Hoyt Cheramie and Tony Rumschlag, At-Large BOD members, and Ralph Richardson, ex-officio for Kansas State University Olathe.
We are grateful for those who joined the BOD in 2019: Merari Cruz, Alison Sateren, David Goodnight, Tim Smaha, Wendy Weirich and Gary Anderson. We also welcome Chuck Johnson, whose term begins in 2020.
We thank Dan Marsman as our AVMA HOD delegate. After serving for six years, he transfers the reigns to Bonnie Bragdon, our HOD Delegate and Ellen Lowery, our Alternate HOD Delegate. We are grateful for Bonnie’s and Ellen’s continued service.

We are grateful for our three-year partnership with Kansas State University Olathe (KSO), particularly for the ongoing support from Project Coordinator Emily Loeb.
KSO provides numerous educational opportunities quite suitable for AAIV members, including the Regulatory Affairs in Animal Health Seminar Series. Please visit olathe.k-state.edu for course offerings for your personal and professional development!

The AAIV celebrated our 65th Anniversary as an AVMA Allied Organization! So exciting!
We enjoyed special Anniversary Celebrations at our Networking Receptions at VMX and AVMA in 2019. We published a White Paper in JAVMA and started the all-day Adult Learning and Leading Track at VMX, with KSO.
In 2019 we entered a collaboration with The Bridge Club, benefiting members in both organizations.
We have continued involvement in our Committees, which are: Nominations, Sponsorship, Programming, Membership Recruitment and Retention, and Marketing and Communication. You do not need to be a BOD member to contribute to a committee! Please reach out if you are interested in contributing to a committee!

We wish to recognize our 2019 sponsors!
Our Platinum Sponsors are: Elanco, Hill’s Pet Products, Zoetis, Zomedica
Gold Sponsors: Merck Animal Health, Boehringer-Ingelheim
Silvers Sponsors: Dechra Veterinary Products, The Vet Recruiter

Our 2020 sponsorships include several added benefits, based on level of sponsorship, including complimentary AAIV memberships to student representatives, invitations to include articles for our e-Newsletter, free banner ads on our website and recognition at the VMX All-day Adult Learning & Leadership Track.

We are looking forward to an exciting year in 2020!
Wishing each of you the Best in 2020 for personal and professional success!

Happy Holidays!

2018 Compensation Survey Results - Now Available
October 5, 2019

The 2018 Compensation Survey has been analyzed, and the report is now available for AAIV members to access on our report webpage. The compensation survey reports provide relevant data for industry veterinarians and companies. Thank you to all who contributed your information. We value your participation and contribution to the strength of the data. Access to this data is exclusive to AAIV members.

To learn more about becoming a part of AAIV, visit the membership page and contact us with any questions.

Call for Nominations: AAIV Board of Directors
October 5, 2019

Become an AAIV Board member to help shape the exciting present and future of the AAIV. The AAIV will elect at least two board members to serve a three-year term, from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022. Additionally, AAIV members will elect officers to serve a one-year term, from January 1 to December 31, 2020. Click here for AAIV board and officer position descriptions.

Current nominations include:
President-Elect: Matthew Krecic, who served as Secretary in 2019
Secretary: Timothy Smaha, who served as a Board Member in 2019
Treasurer: Eduardo Vivas, who served as Treasurer in 2019

At-Large Members:
Merari Cruz, who is completing a vacant 2019 term
Wendy Weirich, who is completing a vacant 2019 term

Please send your nominations to industryvets@gmail.com by Monday, Oct. 21, 2019. In your nomination email, please include the completed candidate nomination form which can be downloaded from here. We will open voting Nov. 6-30. This gives the new officers and board members time to arrange to attend the board meeting at VMX 2020.

Save the Date | AAIV Presents: Reaching Your Retirement/Financial Goals | Monday, October 28, 6 - 7 p.m. E.T.
October 5, 2019

This webinar will help attendees explore how their own perceptions of money may be supporting or hindering their financial goals. We will examine the core financial fundamentals which apply to everyone, and how critical it is to cohesively integrate and then revisit the financial decisions we make throughout our careers.

Join Dr. Darby Affeldt, financial advisor to veterinarians and medical professionals, North Star Resource Group, for this special AAIV webinar and learn about “Reaching Your Retirement/Financial Goals.”

Learn more

Education Opportunities at Kansas State University Olathe
September 15, 2019

Inspiring teams to reach new levels of success takes more than a position on an organizational chart. It requires a leader who develops a culture of excellence and translates strategic vision into purposeful actions. This is the competitive edge you will gain with our premiere leadership programs for professionals. The four-part Leadership Essentials series kicks off in October.

Seminar 1: Using Strengths and Emotional Intelligence to Maximize Personal and Team Performance, Oct. 24 -- This workshop will help emerging and current leaders understand how to use strengths and emotional intelligence to maximize performance. Specifically, it will help participants learn how to build on both personal and team strengths in leadership roles. Participants also will examine emotional intelligence and learn specific ways to improve it and maximize performance.

Learn more and register today

Please note: AAIV members will receive a special 10% discount on their registration. Contact us to receive this discount code.

AAIV Sponsor Highlight: Zoetis
July 29, 2019

VetVance®, A Valuable Career Building Tool for Veterinary Professionals

VetVance®, part of Zoetis’ Commitment to Veterinarians™, is a free educational resource that provides veterinary and veterinary technician students and recent graduates with valuable, online content that addresses professional development, business skills, professional stewardship, financial literacy and personal wellness. Through the site, available at www.VetVance.com, users can access over 100 short, multi-media learning modules presented by established industry professionals and experts from multiple disciplines.

VetVance includes opportunities for users to grow their network and engage in online dialogue with peers directly through the Community feature. Additional benefits include job search functionality and opportunities for eligible veterinary students to learn about and apply for scholarships and externships offered by Zoetis in conjunction with industry partners. Through a partnership with Zuku Review®, eligible veterinary and veterinary technician students can access a coupon for a discounted NAVLE or VTNE exam preparation subscription. "VetVance has become a go-to resource for many in the veterinary community," said Dr. Christine Jenkins, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President, Veterinary Medical Services & Outcomes Research at Zoetis, "By addressing topics that are typically not part of a veterinary or veterinary technician student’s core curriculum, VetVance serves as an important adjunct to veterinary education and a valuable tool for early career development.”

Launching in 2014, VetVance currently has more than 21,000 registered users globally, with nearly 18,000 in the United States, representing multiple areas of interest including small-, large- and production animal medicine; academia, laboratory, industry and other areas. Its users reflect a wide range of professional veterinary experience and include many veterinary and veterinary technician students enrolled in a U.S. or Caribbean college of veterinary medicine or an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, and many practicing veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

In July 2018, Zoetis introduced the VetVance mobile application, providing additional access for users and more opportunities for Zoetis to reach an even broader audience. The free mobile application, available for use on iOS smartphones and tablets and Android smartphones, features many of the tools found on the VetVance website including courses, course progress tracking and community.

You're Invited: AAIV Networking Reception at AVMA 2019 in Washington D.C.
July 29, 2019

The AAIV Networking Reception at AVMA 2019 will be hosted on Saturday, August 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. ET at the Marriott Marquis Washington DC, Catholic University Room. Join us at the networking reception to:

- Kick off the 65th Anniversary of the American Association of Industry Veterinarians with a champagne toast, cake, and door prizes
- Network with your current or future animal health industry colleagues
- Be one of the first four individuals who join or renew AAIV membership to get a special incentive

Register today Registration is requested but not required. Please contact us at industryvets@gmail.com with questions.

Save the Date | AAIV Presents: Going Beyond Skills and Experience: Finding the Job That's Right for You | Thursday, September 26, 1 - 2 p.m. E.T.
July 29, 2019

To enjoy professional satisfaction and grow your Veterinary career the right way, it’s critical to find
a job that matches you in every way possible. Yes, that includes technical skills and experience, but it also includes other important areas that some people overlook.

Join Stacy Pursell, owner and founder of The VET Recruiter, for this special AAIV webinar and discover the key to “Going Beyond Skills and Experience: Finding the Job That’s Right for You.”

In Memoriam
June 7, 2019

Remembering the lives and legacies of Drs. Norm Stewart, Linda Lord and Gary Stamp. Each will be remembered for their contributions to the profession and the many lives they touched. Although they have left this world, the imprint they left on the profession and in our hearts will remain.

Thank You and Welcome
June 7, 2019

The AAIV Board of Directors thanks outgoing board members: Dr. Ralph Richardson, retired Dean and CEO, Kansas State University Olathe, and Dr. Michelle Larsen, Professional Services Veterinarian, Abaxis.

Ralph was instrumental in securing a valuable partnership between AAIV and K-State Olathe. So we are extremely grateful. Replacing Ralph as the K-State Olathe liaison board member is Dr. Gary Anderson, Director, International Animal Health and Food Safety Institute, Kansas State University Olathe.

AAIV would like to thank Dr. Michelle Larsen for her 2 terms (6 years) of service on the AAIV board. Michelle has worked tirelessly to move AAIV into the social media world with her leadership of the Marketing and Communications Committee. Replacing Michelle is Dr. Merari Cruz, Professional Services Veterinarians for the South Florida market of Zoetis.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Gary Anderson and Dr. Merari Cruz to the AAIV Board of Directors!

AAIV Compensation Survey
June 7, 2019

The 2018 AAIV Compensation Survey is open for industry veterinarians to complete! The compensation survey reports consistently provide relevant data for industry veterinarians and companies. The survey will close on July 1, 2019. We encourage you to contribute your information by taking the survey today and passing the link along to your colleagues:

https://forms.gle/A9xJ7WEunXcTSGUy5

Your participation is valued and so important to the strength of the data. Learn more about the compensation survey and how AAIV members can access past reports here.

AAIV Membership Drive
April 23, 2019

One of AAIV's main initiatives is to serve more industry veterinarians by continuing to grow our membership. Our goal is to recruit 200 additional members by July 2019.

As a current member, you are our best advocate for sharing the association with your colleagues. Help us reach our goal, and you will have a chance to win $200.

Log in and learn more

Welcome Dr. Timothy Smaha
April 23, 2019

The AAIV Board of Directors welcomes Timothy Smaha, DVM as our newest At-Large Board of Directors member! Tim has served on the Nominations Committee this past year.

Tim is an Auburn University CVM 2007 graduate who has been in industry approximately 8 years. Currently, Tim is a Professional Services Veterinarian for Dechra Vet Products.
He is a member of AVMA, SCAV, AAHA and IVECCS. Additionally, Tim is active in his local Columbia SC VMA, having previously served as Treasurer.

Please join your AAIV BOD in welcoming Tim!

AAIV Sponsor Highlight: Boehringer Ingelheim
April 23, 2019

An innovative pilot program: How a digital microphone and algorithm could scan for respiratory disease in swine
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. is launching an innovative pilot program this spring that harnesses technology to try to help pigs stay healthy and help farmers operate more efficiently.

The company is installing high-tech microphones in the pig barns of a few select customers. The microphones are part of a digital monitoring tool from SoundTalks NV, a Belgian company. They record the sound of coughing pigs and rely on an algorithm to flag increased coughing that could signal respiratory distress.

That farmers and veterinarians intervene early to collect samples and get a diagnosis, potentially improving a pig’s health and limiting the risk of exposure to nearby animals. For farmers, early detection, diagnosis and treatment could boost the bottom line in an industry where respiratory and other diseases claim an untold number of pigs and cost hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

Boehringer Ingelheim plan to start installing the microphones with a few customers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota, and in swine markets around the world. It is part of a larger company effort to leverage rapid technological change to benefit livestock and pets and the people who own and care for them.

Read more

Join us for AAIV Presents: Building Your Brand With Social Media
February 19, 2019

Join Dr. Caitlin DeWilde to learn how to build your brand via LinkedIn and other social media channels. Participants will discover best practices with professional photos and backgrounds, endorsements and recommendations. You will also learn how to use action words to describe your summary and experience, how to use your contacts to network without driving them away, what content to post on your channels, and what LinkedIn (and other channels) can do for you.

AAIV members: No cost. Please log in to your member account to register.
Non-members: $30

Register Here

Call for AVMA Legislative Advisory Committee Alternate Representative
February 19, 2019

The AAIV has a delegate and an alternate delegate spot on the AVMA Legislative Advisory Committee. The position of alternate delegate for the term of August 2019 to August 2022 is now open. The purpose of the Legislative Advisory Committee is to assist the AVMA Board of Directors in formulating and implementing AVMA legislative policy and AVMA positions on federal regulatory proposals.

If you are interested in applying, please send your resume/CV and a short paragraph indicating why you are interested in this position to industryvets@gmail.com by March 4.

AAIV Education Series | January/February 2019
The Power of Mindset
Written by: Ellen Lowery, DVM, PhD, MBA
February 19, 2019

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” Henry Ford

Mindset – the established set of attitudes held by someone; a person’s way of thinking and their opinions. Literature defines two basic mindsets that shape us. Marilee Adams refers to the judger vs. the learner mindsets; Carol Dweck refers to the fixed vs. the growth mindsets. Both agree that we typically have one dominant mindset (often the judger or the fixed mindset) and that with purposeful thought and practice we have the ability to choose our mindset, thus our reactions, choices and behaviors, in life situations. Understanding our dominant mindset, being aware of our typical attitudes or beliefs, being mindful of the power of our beliefs, and choosing to change our approach to situations can have a profound impact.

Adams uses a great visual tool, the choice map. This map is an illustration of the paths a judger and a learner mindset take from the perspective of external circumstances to internal thoughts and reactions. As with many paths there comes a cross road, and the traveler has options or choices. With mindsets, this represents the opportunity to switch the internal dialogue from judger questions such as why am I such a failure, why do bad things always happen to me, or I’m not good enough to learner questions such as why am I reacting this way, what can I learn from this, and what could I do differently next time. These thoughts go very quickly, moment to moment, and we have the ability to switch thoughts from limiting beliefs to unlimited possibilities. Want to learn more? Watch Marilee Adams discuss the judger vs. the learner mindsets on you tube and you can download the choice map at http://inquiryinstitute.com.

Carol Dweck’s research led her to understanding the power of ‘not yet’. A fixed mindset believes intelligence is static, a growth mindset believes intelligence can be developed. A fixed mindset avoids challenges, gives up easily, ignores feedback, and feels threatened by others success. A growth mindset embraces challenges, persists despite setbacks, listens to and learns from feedback, and supports others successes. Success may not have happened ‘yet’, however it’s not a failure, it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. Her research reminds me of one of my favorite sayings ‘fail forward’, because failure is inevitable; what we choose to learn from, and do, as a result of that failure is our choice to own.

A favorite movie of mine is A Knight’s Tale. I enjoy the story, the resilience of the characters, the comedic perspective, the music, and I have a crush on Paul Bettany. In the story, the main characters father, John Thatcher, tells his son to ‘change his stars and live a better life.’ That’s mindset, choosing, despite external circumstances and internal dialogue, to have a passion for learning, growing and being your best self.

Traveler's Corner | January/February 2019
Be Your Best Self - Healthy Habits for Road Warriors
Written by: Ellen Lowery, DVM, PhD, MBA
February 19, 2019

Through travel delays, traffic jams, flight cancellations, hotel overbookings and wardrobe malfunctions (I once showed up for a symposium with one black and one blue shoe packed) I’ve learned a thing or two. Here are some travel hacks that have helped me be more efficient, productive, and take better care of myself and my family.
Plan ahead:
• Source or create a checklist that works for you. There are templates available on line that you can use or refine to your personal travel needs.
• Don’t just schedule your travel dates, proactively schedule time to book & plan your trip. This may include:
o The time to make your travel arrangements (flight, rental care, lodging, airport parking)
o The time to take care of family stuff….children’s activities (school or extracurricular), aging parent needs, and pet care arrangements.
• Review the weather forecast for your destination to pack appropriately and prepare for potential travel delays. Also check the forecast for home – if there’s snow in the forecast consider making arrangements for snow removal. It’s a relief to drive home and be able to get into your driveway/garage and bonus, you don’t have to unpack and shovel snow!

• Create your travel and on site itinerary including confirmation numbers for easy check in, etc. Airline, hotel, ground travel apps are real timesavers. If you’re using a ground travel service such as Uber or Lyft be sure your information is up to date and look ahead to note pick up areas and plan travel time.
• Your daily itinerary also helps in efficient packing. You’ll know what type of attire is needed, and as you lay out your attire, also match needed accessories.
• Get cash and ask for singles so you’ll have tipping money available (airport skycap, shuttles, ground transportation, and hotel staff).
• Update and charge your devices and then pack the chargers and the devices – helpful to use your checklist at home and at your destination. It will save you leaving your charger in your hotel room!
Your wellbeing – make this a priority!
• Make it a priority to schedule your personal time.
o Get your personal travel on your calendar now!
o Schedule key personal events – school activities or other important events
o Block your calendar for comp time if provided
o Block some office time for when you return to attend to business priorities
• Pack healthy snacks – for the plane and your hotel stay. Some of my favorites (be label-mindful) – protein bars, instant oatmeal packets, favorite coffee singles or teabags, instant soup, rice cakes, nut butter, tuna kits, fresh/dried fruit and nuts. These can be found in single serving sizes that are easy to pack in your carry on or checked luggage and provide on-the-run convenience.
• Pack something special – a favorite body wash or lotion, a book, comfy socks, etc. These small things help make the hotel room more personal and comfortable.
• Invest in a sleep mask, ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones and a binder clip for those hotel shades that never completely close. These do wonders for a more restful night.
• Pack your workout clothes….whether you walk the hotel halls, utilize the fitness center or workout in your room – find a routine that works for you to get in some fitness and you time. Exercise bands and a jump rope are lightweight and can be easily packed and support a flexible, convenient in-room exercise routine. Download your favorite exercise and meditation apps. I use Insight Timer for both meditation and as a sound machine for better sleep.

Business travel is the norm for most industry veterinarians. I hope you find a pearl or two in these travel hacks from a fellow road warrior!

Be well, travel well, stay well!

Letter from the President | January/February 2019
Written by: Debra Nickelson, DVM, MBA
February 19, 2019

Those who know me, know I like to celebrate, especially when I can celebrate other people and organizations. This year, 2019, the American Association of Industry Veterinarians has a lot to celebrate. We celebrate those of you who are AAIV members, of which we have a little over 200 actively listed. Thank you for your support and participation. You are indispensable for improving the health and welfare of all species. Reach out to your colleagues in your companies or at events – remind them to join or renew their membership in AAIV. Let’s get our membership numbers up to 300 this year.

We celebrate our generous sponsors who help AAIV promote the value of veterinarians in animal and human health care industries. Thank you to Boehringer-Ingelheim, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Merck Animal Health, Elanco Animal Health, Zoetis, Ceva Animal Health, Dechra Veterinary Products, and The Vet Recruiter. We welcome more companies to become involved, especially those who already support the veterinary industry.

We celebrate the Board of Directors of AAIV, of which we have four new people this year: David Goodnight, Carolyn Luther, Stacy Pritt and Eduardo Vivas. This board represents one of the most diverse among non-profit veterinary organizations, not just in terms of demographics, but mostly in terms of the different careers people enjoy. Take a look at the bios on aaivet.org and you will see a wide variety of how veterinarians create their own careers.

We celebrate a new educational initiative launched at VMX called Learning and Leading, organized by Dr. Ralph Richardson of Kansas State University – Olathe and sponsored by AAIV. I was pleased to moderate this popular day-long session in which about 90 to 170 people attended. With that high attendance and so many positive comments, this track will be a new tradition at VMX.

We celebrate the fact that AAIV has existed for 65 amazing years! Over 100 people celebrated at our VMX Networking Reception, so thank you! I really appreciate the help of Emily Loeb, Ellen Lowery, Eduardo Vivas and Janet Meyers who helped run the registration and memberships. My non-veterinary friend, Janet flew from upstate New York to hang out with me, so I put her to work at our exhibit hall table and the Networking Reception.

We will continue to celebrate with more events, the next being a webinar, Building Your Brand with Social Media by Dr. Caitlin DeWilde on April 17 at 7:00 PM EST. Save the date for our next networking reception at AVMA 2019 in Washington D.C. on Saturday, August 3. I would like all sponsors to designate someone to say a few words of greeting and welcome those who are considering a position in veterinary industry.

I appreciate and celebrate all of you who make AAIV such a great organization. We want to be your resource for Education – Networking - Advocacy in the Veterinary Industry.

Celebrating with you,

Deb Nickelson DVM, MBA
2019 President, AAIV Board of Directors

2018 Reflection
December 6, 2018

Greetings to our AAIV members!

I continue to be impressed by and grateful for the American Association of Industry Veterinarians. AAIV was formed in 1954 by a group of veterinarians working in the pharmaceutical industry, and in 2019 will celebrate its 65th anniversary. That’s quite an accomplishment. As incoming president Dr. Debra Nickelson likes to say, AAIV has outlasted most companies!

When I first joined industry, one of the questions posed during my interview was whether or not I would feel tainted working for industry. Looking back, that question was such a surprise! I was interviewing with an outstanding company (founded by a veterinarian!), would be working with incredible, accomplished veterinary colleagues, would have the opportunity to contribute to the global health and welfare of animals, would receive a solid salary and excellent benefits package and further my personal and professional growth. WOW! The reality was, at that time, industry veterinarians were sometimes viewed as those that ‘couldn’t make it in practice, were looking for an easy desk job, weren’t real veterinarians.’ None of these sentiments are true, of course, and I’m so proud to be a member of an organization whose mission is to promote the value of veterinarians that work in public and corporate organizations.

AAIV continues to experience growth, build partnerships and celebrate successes thanks to the dedication of AAIV members and our current and former Board of Directors members. On behalf of the board, it is my pleasure to share some reflections with you.

Early in 2018, AAIV revised its vision and mission statement to reflect the importance of, and advocacy for, our members. The AAIV Vision is to be indispensable for improving the health and welfare of all species, and our Mission is to promote the value of veterinarians in human and animal healthcare industries. The core values of the organization are collaboration, networking & relationships, innovation, collegiality and professional support.

AAIV celebrated its second year of partnerships with Kansas State University Olathe (K-State Olathe) and the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC). The partnership with K-State Olathe continues to strengthen our administrative platform while providing many new opportunities for our members as well as for the animal health industry. The partnership with NAVC created an Industry Chair position on the NAVC VMX planning committee and as a result, there will be a full day AAIV industry track at VMX 2019. This track will focus on adult learning with topics on delivering more impactful presentations, becoming a more emotionally intelligent leader and principles/techniques to enhance learning.

We’re also continuing to evolve our website and membership platform, which you can access by visiting www.aaivet.org. I invite you to log in, explore the website, and connect with us. We are currently building out further tools and information that our members have asked for, such as career transition and development.

In Fall of 2017, AAIV established committees charged with developing and implementing strategies in programming; marketing and communications; membership recruitment; nominations; and fundraising. During 2018, the committees have been very engaged and productive, and you’ve likely seen the results through an increased social media presence, programming and events at conferences, a focus on increasing member value and benefits, and increasing education and opportunities to serve on AVMA committees. There’s plenty of opportunity to become involved and serve on any AAIV committees that interest you; you do not have to be a board member to serve. Please email industryvets@gmail.com or reach out to any board member to learn more. Speaking of board members, we had a record number of nominations for board positions this year. Congratulations to all nominees!

2018 has been an outstanding year of building our presence and continuing to evolve as an organization that truly exists to advocate for and enhance the value of industry veterinarians. We invite you to join us at the AAIV Annual Meeting and Reception at VMX on Sunday, January 20, 5:00 -7:00pm ET at the Hyatt Regency Silver Springs Room. Along with our annual member meeting we will be celebrating our 65th anniversary with a champagne toast (and there’ll be cake!). Registration is optional, but you can help us plan by registering here.

I am grateful for you and for the opportunity to serve you this year as AAIV president. I want to share a special thank you to my AAIV board colleagues and our remarkable program coordinator Emily Loeb. Because of their passion and dedication, 2018 has been rewarding, productive, and together we have successfully built upon the foundation paved by previous AAIV board members. I also want to thank the companies that have provided sponsorship to support the advancement of our organization. Your support not only champions our initiatives, it also demonstrates recognition of the value your veterinarians provide to your business. Our platinum sponsors for 2018 included Boehringer-Ingelheim, CEVA, Elanco, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Merck Animal Health, and Zoetis. Our silver sponsors for 2018 were Dechra and The VET Recruiter.

Dr. Debra Nickelsen, 2019 AAIV Board President, will take the helm of our organization as of January 1. With her leadership, the board’s continued commitment, and your engagement – I am confident 2019 will be the best year yet for AAIV!

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank our members for being part of AAIV and encourage you to contact us anytime at industryvets@gmail.com. We wish you a joyous holiday season and a successful, happy new year.

All the very best,

Ellen I. Lowery, DVM, PhD, MBA
2018 AAIV BOD President

AAIV Celebrates 65th Anniversary in 2019
December 11, 2018

The American Association of Industry Veterinarians (then known as the Industrial Veterinarians Association) was formed in 1954 by a group of veterinarians working in the pharmaceutical industry. While these veterinarians worked with different companies, they recognized their common mission to promote the value of veterinarians in human and animal health industries. The AAIV was one of the first two constituent allied organizations provided representation in the AVMA House of Delegates. Through the years, members expanded their careers to biologic, nutrition, medical device, research, human health, and other companies. AAIV members found they had much in common as all were indispensable for improving the health and welfare of all species. The association provided a professional organization in which they could belong and network with other industry veterinarians who were experiencing career changes as companies launched, merged or were sold.

The AAIV will celebrate its 65th anniversary in 2019 with a number of events. Celebrations will kick off at the 2019 VMX meeting in Orlando, FL. On Saturday, January 19, AAIV will co-sponsor a day-long Adult Learning Symposium, where two speakers from Kansas State University Olathe will help attendees enhance their presentation, leadership, teaching and learning skills. On Sunday, January 20, AAIV will host a champagne and cake networking reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hyatt Regency Silver Spring. Be sure to attend to meet your current and future colleagues, find out more about AAIV and enter to win a door prize. Current AAIV members are invited to stop by the AAIV booth (Booth #354) to pick up a lapel pin and badge ribbon.

AAIV will host networking events at Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas NV, the AVMA Convention in Washington DC, and Fetch Central in Kansas City MO. Watch your email and social media for more details on these events as well as upcoming industry-focused webinars. AAIV will host four webinars next year, which are free to AAIV members, and non-members can pay a small fee to attend. One upcoming webinar will focus on how to leverage LinkedIn to build your career.

Our association had an article accepted for publication within the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The article, “Sixty-five years of contributions by members of the American Association of Industry Veterinarians,” co-authored by board members Matthew Krecic, Daniel Marsman and Bonnie Bragdon, will be published in the January 1 issue. Article highlights include:

- The American Association of Industry Veterinarians marks its 65th anniversary in 2019 and was one of the first 2 constituent allied organizations provided representation in the AVMA House of Delegates. This long-standing recognition by the AVMA reflects the importance AAIV member veterinarians have not only in the animal health industry but also to practicing veterinarians.
- The publication highlights the many roles AAIV member veterinarians fulfill within public and corporate organizations and relates the importance of these roles to practicing veterinarians.
- The aim is to inform—and celebrate—all that AAIV member veterinarians have done and continue to do.

AAIV celebrates everyone’s career in industry by participating in career transitions workshops at AVMA convention, posting helpful information about careers in veterinary industry and hosting a job board on our website. Celebrate your career with industry by celebrating with AAIV during this 65th anniversary year!

Traveler's Corner | November/December 2018
Mia's Top 5 Travel Tips - In Short, Lighten Up
Written by: Mia Cary, DVM
December 11, 2018

Like many of you I travel frequently and have picked up travel habits that help to increase my efficiency and comfort while on the road. My ‘top 5’ travel tip list evolves and fluctuates over time (as does my top 5 Oreo flavors, but that’s for another time). Today I share with you my current top 5 travel tips.

Tip #5 = Reentry
Because of all the intersections within our profession, some of you may have crossed paths with Dr. Dan Green, or know of him. I had the pleasure of working with Dan for the majority of my nine years at Boehringer Ingelheim (BI). During our first year together at BI he explained the concept of reentry and how it had worked wonders for his sanity and his marriage (Hi Glenda!). The key to reentry is to remind yourself as you are heading home after several days on the road, that the person you live with (eg partner, spouse, family, etc) has been dealing with their own set of challenges and frustrations while you’ve been away. Just because you’re feeling like an exhausted road warrior and want nothing more than to slide into your favorite chair (or bath), kick off your shoes, put up your feet, and chill - it will serve you well to take a deep breath and prepare to give a bit of yourself to those waiting to greet you. Listen to what’s been happening in their world while you’ve been away (even if you talk to them every day while you’re traveling), make sure they know how happy you are to be home and how much you’ve missed them, and THEN chill. And remember to be mindful of your greeting so that your spouse knows you are as happy to see them as you are your dog or cat (I’m still working on this one).

Tip #4 = Screenshots
Believe it or not I was a slow adopter for relying solely on the mobile app digital boarding pass. While I’ve used the mobile apps for Delta, United, and American Airlines for quite a while, up until recently I also printed a hard copy of the boarding pass (sorry trees) just in case. My rationale was that if I had dodgy internet or cell service then the boarding pass might not be available when it’s time to board the plane (which happens, albeit infrequently). Now I simply check-in on the mobile app then screenshot the boarding pass. It’s ready to go whenever I need it, easy peasy!

Tip #3 = Layers
What our moms told us is true - layers are the way to go. This is as true for the road warrior as it is for those prepping to play in the snow. Those of you that are longtime travel warriors already know that in the summer hotel meeting rooms are frigid due to the AC being cranked on high, and in the winter they are usually steaming hot. Never, ever go to a meeting in a hotel meeting room without a sweater or some of jacket or suit coat. You’re welcome. Ditto for the plane. It may be 110 F outside but if you’re getting on a plane with a sleeveless top, you’re more than likely going to be chilly during the flight. Wearing your layers on the plane also makes room in your suitcase for other necessities.

Tip #2 = Duplicate Staples & Ziploc Bags
If you travel once a month or more, consider purchasing a second set of all of your staples such as toiletries, charging cords, and a few of your favorites. When I started this habit over 15 years ago it was a game-changer. Now my routine while unpacking after a trip is to restock my duplicates (eg add more shampoo to my 3 ounce refillable bottle and add more qtips to my qtip refillable holder), throw a Bounce sheet into my suitcase, partially zip it up (to allow a bit of air flow) and it’s ready to go for the next trip.

As you’ll see with my final tip I typically travel quite light, but I always pack a few “favorites” so it feels like I’m bringing a bit of home with me. While hotel shampoo and lotion are perfectly fine, I typically pack my favorite shampoo (Aveda), lotion (B&B Works Japanese Cherry Blossom), and lounging socks (soft and furry). May not sound like much but when I get back to my hotel room after a long day these little perks are quite nice.

Because I carry several refillable bottles I learned long ago to use ziploc bags instead of more permanent toiletry kits. At first blush this suggestion doesn’t appear to be environmentally friendly but I get MANY repeat uses out of my ziploc bags. I use one gallon size for items such as make-up, dental floss, and such, and use the quart size for small travel bottles of liquids like shampoo. If my shampoo bottle happens to leak (which I’m convinced happens completely at random) I can simply rinse out the ziploc bag and it will be dry by the next morning. Ziploc bags are also easy to compress to rid of extra air, this makes them even more packable.

Tip #1 = Lighten Up
Last but not least - lighten up! Lighten up in terms of how you pack, and the attitude you choose while on the road. We know that attitude is everything, and we know it’s much harder to choose a good one when your flight is majorly delayed - but what a difference it can make to how you experience travel challenges! It’s taken me a long time to really own this, and my #alwaysanupside approach helps as well. Flight delays? Well that leaves more time to knock out some work so there will be less to do when I finally get home. Or, perhaps I’ve had a really busy week and a flight delay gives me time to read for pleasure so that I’m more refreshed and ready for reentry. On the more challenging travel days it’s helpful to remind myself how lucky I am to have a career that allows me to travel - it really is a gift and a pleasure that sometimes those of us that travel routinely for work take for granted.

Back to the packing side of lighten up - this is something I’ve gotten really good at. An extreme was this October when I traveled for just over three weeks straight with only one carry-on suitcase. I couldn’t have done it without the one night stay at my sister’s house (thx Kaye!) and access to her laundry room but still …. 3+ weeks! According to my husband (who is also an industry vet who travels a lot) women are able to travel lighter because many of our clothes are made of thinner, more packable material. He’s not wrong! One of the requirements I shoot for when purchasing work clothes is that that they need to be made of material that is easily dewrinkled by a short steam in a hotel bathroom. That, and excellent pockets, are my key work-clothes features.

The last thing I want to mention associated with this “lighten up” tip is mindfulness. I know this has become quite the buzzword as of late but daily meditation and a mindful approach to traveling (and life) has been very rewarding for me. I highly recommend the Calm.com app. Whether you’re new to meditation or an old pro, I bet you’ll like this app (plus it has cool screensavers). We know the only things we can truly control are our actions and reactions, so let's own them shall we?

Bonus tips: Invest in TSA Precheck and Clear if you haven’t already. Just do it. And rolling clothes helps to minimize wrinkles. Speaking of wrinkles, one last tip - a 3 ounce bottle of Downy Light Fresh Wrinkle Releaser is one of my staples. Okay one more, take a picture of where you park in the airport parking lot - one less thing that you need to remember.

As I close out this message I want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to my fellow industry vet travelers - the AAIV Board of Directors. As the outgoing Past-President, December marks my last month serving on the board. It’s been a pleasure working with the current board on our targeted focus of creating more value for our members. It’s also been wonderful meeting so many of our long-time and new members at AAIV networking receptions throughout the year. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and look forward to seeing you in 2019!

AAIV Education Series | November/December 2018
Summary of "AAIV Presents: Personal and Organizational Wellbeing: Thriving versus Barely Surviving"
December 11, 2018

Personal and Organizational Wellbeing: Thriving vs. Barely Surviving was the topic for the latest AAIV webinar, presented by Dr. Tad Coles, a veterinarian and certified compassion fatigue coach.

Dr. Coles focused on recognizing the signs of burnout, tools for self-assessment and differentiating burnout from compassion fatigue. He provided great information on tools available to assess your level of burnout and how to take necessary steps to support personal wellbeing.

Highlights from the webinar include:

• The importance of decreasing stigma associated with mental health and using appropriate language
• Understanding compassion fatigue and burnout, recognizing the signs, tools for self-assessment and important steps to increase your personal wellbeing
• The benefits of personal and organizational mindfulness

Wellbeing is a critical issue in our profession, and burnout is very real in today's workplace as jobs and employers demand more from their employees. Learning about burnout — including its three components and the six areas of mismatch that lead to it, personal tools that can help establish and maintain personal wellbeing and resilience, and organizational tools that can help you and your companies support personal and workplace wellbeing is important to everyone’s wellbeing.

Log into your AAIV member account to view this and other archived webinars here!

Congratulations to Newly Elected AAIV Board Members
December 1, 2018

Congratulations to our newly elected AAIV Board of Directors officers and at-large members!

Officers

President: Debra Nickelson

President-Elect: Pam Mitchell

Secretary: Matt Krecic

Treasurer: Eduardo Vivas

House of Delegates Alternate Delegate: Ellen Lowery

Newly Elected At-Large Members

David Goodnight

Carolyn Luther

Stacy Pritt

Continuing Board Members

Bonnie Bragdon

Hoyt Cheramie

Michelle Larsen

Daniel Marsman

Ralph Richardson

Tony Rumschlag

Newly elected at-large board members will serve a three-year term, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. AAIV officers will serve a one-year term, from January 1 to December 31, 2019.

Colleagues Helping Colleagues Following Hurricane Michael
October 19, 2018

While some emergency teams have been released from deployment and coordination calls are becoming less frequent (i.e., efforts are moving from response to recovery mode), efforts to assist those affected by Hurricane Michael are far from over. The AVMA and the AVMF will continue to reach out to colleagues to see what assistance we might provide as they work to move forward from this devastating storm.

Please follow this link to AVMF information on disaster relief following Hurricane Michael and how you can help and/or get involved.

Adult Learning and Better Communication is Focus of AAIV Developed Track for 2019 VMX Expo
October 2, 2018

AAIV has organized an industry-focused track in adult learning that is being offered at the 2019 VMX Veterinary Meeting and Expo.

VMX, formerly the North American Veterinary Conference, is Jan. 19-23, 2019, in Orlando, Florida. The five modules in the Adult Learning Symposium, which is the AAIV track for the conference, will run from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Jan. 19 in the Orange County Convention Center North Hall.

The Adult Learning Symposium track will teach participants who work with adults in any capacity or occupation how to better engage and communicate with adults.

"Adults learn differently than younger, more traditional students," said Ralph Richardson, dean and CEO of K-State Olathe, who serves on the board's planning committee and helped connect AAIV to faculty experts in adult learning at the campus. "When we think of traditional learners, they are people who enroll in classes, take tests and then graduate. Adult learners are those who have been out of school for a little while and everything that they learn after their schooling relates to experiences rather than learning a block of material that they are tested on."

Each of the five modules in the Adult Learning Symposium delves into how adults learn and communicate, and how to best communicate and teach this audience. Modules are "Delivering More Impactful Presentations," "Becoming a More Emotionally Intelligent Leader," "Using Neuroscience Principles to Enhance Learning," "Interactive Techniques to Enhance Learning" and "Learning and Cognitive Styles."

The track and all of the modules will be delivered by Judy Favor, assistant professor of educational leadership, and Royce Ann Collins, associate professor of adult learning and leadership and adult learning and leadership graduate program director for K-State Olathe and Fort Leavenworth — both faculty at K-State Olathe.

The track is generating a lot of interest, Richardson said. Initially, the adult learning track was targeted for industry veterinarians. After learning about the modules and subject matter, though, VMX organizers are encouraging all of the conference's speakers — regardless of occupation — to attend the Adult Learning Symposium modules as the overlying material is beneficial to any profession that interacts with adults.

More information about VMX and registration is at navc.com/vmx/.

Note: Register for the conference by Oct. 5 and save 20% on the registration fee.

Leadership and Service Opportunity
Call for Nominations: AAIV Board of Directors Officers and At-Large Member Nominations
October 2, 2018

Become an AAIV Board member to help shape the exciting present and future of the AAIV. The AAIV will elect three new board members to serve a three-year term, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. Additionally, AAIV members will elect officers to serve a one-year term, from January 1 to December 31, 2019. Click here for AAIV board and officer position descriptions.

Current nominations include:

• President-Elect: Pam Mitchell

• Secretary: Matt Krecic

• Treasurer: Eduardo Vivas

• House of Delegates Alternate Delegate: Ellen Lowery

At-Large Members:

• Merari Cruz

• Craig Galbraith
• David Goodnight
• Carolyn Luther
• Stacy Pritt
• Tim Smaha

Please send your nominations to industryvets@gmail.com by Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. In your nomination email, please include the completed candidate nomination form which can be downloaded from here.

Leadership and Service Opportunity
AAIV Encourages Board Members to Volunteer for AVMA Committee Vacancies
October 2, 2018

Inspired to volunteer for one of several AVMA committees and councils? The AAIV, as a recognized member organization of the AVMA House of Delegates (HOD), may be able to help you. Nominees for all committee and council positions require the written support of an HOD member organization — such as the AAIV.

Contact the AAIV at industryvets@gmail.com to learn more or to nominate yourself or someone you know to serve in these positions. Please include the nominee's name, email address, the position or committee you are nominating them for, and the reason(s) you are nominating them. More information is on the AVMA's website.

The AAIV Board of Directors will review each submitted nomination and vote to determine the nominees for which the AAIV will support, with preference given to AAIV members. As an AVMA allied organization, the AAIV looks forward to providing support for selected candidates.

The AAIV has interest in representation on these committees and councils—

Veterinary Leadership Conference Planning Committee
American Board of Veterinary Specialties
Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities Selection Committee
Judicial Council*

Click here for a complete list of vacancies and AVMA deadlines for nominations. Please note that some vacancies are to be filled immediately; therefore, nominate yourself or someone else soon.

*Incumbent eligible for another term.

Upcoming "AAIV Presents" Webinar
"AAIV Presents: Personal and Organizational Wellbeing — Thriving versus Barely Surviving"
Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018 | 7-8 p.m. ET

Burnout is very real in today's workplace as jobs and employers demand more from their workers.

In this webinar, you'll learn about burnout — including its three components and the six areas of mismatch that lead to it, personal tools that can help establish and maintain personal wellbeing and resilience, and organizational tools that can help a company support the wellbeing and resilience of staff. You also will learn the difference between compassion fatigue and burnout as well as readily available assessments for each.

The webinar is presented by Tad Coles, DVM, CCFP, MRSS-P, founder of Compassion Fatigue Coaching and Medical Director at Two Dogs And A Cat Veterinary Clinic.

This seminar is approved for 1.0 RACE credit.

Register today: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8838963371862276866

Note: Starting in 2019, AAIV will begin charging non-members $30 per webinar, so please make sure your membership is current. Join or renew your membership.

AAIV Needs Your Input: Topics for AVMA House of Delegates
October 2, 2018

The American Association of Industry Veterinarians (AAIV) has the opportunity to provide a topic to discuss at the AVMA's House of Delegates Veterinary Information Forum in January 2019. It is critical to have the voice of the AAIV members to speak on behalf of industry veterinarians and their organizations/firms. Please take a few moments to complete this brief survey to pick your top priority and second priority in the list; your voice is important and valued. The survey will close Thursday, Oct. 11.

Better Understanding Our Profession through Insights
October 2, 2018

AAIV Board member Dr. Heidi Hulon facilitated Insights training for the AVMA Economics Division and leadership team members.

The Insights Program helps people gain a deep insight into themselves and their colleagues. By uncovering meaning in preferences and behavior, participants learn to adapt and connect with others to create stronger and more effective relationships. Every Insights Discovery Personal profile provides information on an individual's strengths and weaknesses, communications style and their value to a team. Each profile includes suggestions for development that can be put into practice the very next day.

"We took a deeper dive into the profile of our profession – and saw that most of us are introverts, with a high percentage sitting in the Earth Green quadrant," Hulon said. "When we consider that on a daily basis as a profession we go round and round utilizing all of these energies, we can see why colleagues are struggling with compassion/ empathy fatigue or moral stress. We need to do a better job of understanding ourselves and recharging ourselves."

AVMA, AVMF Provide Support to Help Veterinarians and Animals Recover from Hurricane Florence
October 2, 2018

While media and public attention shift away from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Florence, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) have stepped up their efforts to provide support and assistance to veterinarians and animal care organizations still reeling from the storm’s aftermath.

Staff from the AVMA and AVMF, as well as members of the associations’ volunteer leadership, have been in contact with state veterinary medical associations and veterinary colleges in the region to determine what type of assistance is needed or anticipated. Dr. Gail Golab, AVMA chief veterinary officer, and Dr. Warren Hess, assistant director of AVMA’s Division of Animal and Public Health, have been communicating daily with national and state organizations to better determine the needs of veterinary and animal care organizations in the region affected by Florence, and to provide guidance.

The AVMF, which serves as the charitable arm of the AVMA, recently donated $10,000 to the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation and another $10,000 to Friends of the NCVMA Foundation to provide immediate assistance to veterinarians and shelters in the state recovering from the effects of the hurricane. The AVMF also has an ongoing disaster relief program offering grants up to $5,000 to help veterinarians and their animal patients recover from the storm’s impact.

“It is bad here,” said North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association Executive Director Claire Holley. “We are still dealing with flooding, power outages and road closings.”

Holley expressed concern that the media has “all but stopped” covering what is happening in a big portion of rural North Carolina, which has been paralyzed by the aftermath of the storm. Nine of the state’s rivers remain at major flood stage, which can cause additional flooding and damage to homes, veterinary clinics, businesses and farms.

“I do know there are number of veterinary hospitals that have been damaged,” Holley said. “Until the waters recede and access is restored, we won't have any definite information. Right now, we are still recovering people and animals.”

Recent reports estimate that Hurricane Florence would drop more than 10 trillion gallons of water in North Carolina alone, creating enormous obstacles to those trying to return to their homes and businesses.

North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said the storm was “unprecedented” and that losses were expected to exceed those from any storm in recent memory, due to the flooding it has caused in the state’s top six agricultural counties. Preliminary estimates suggest that 4.1 million poultry and 5,500 hogs died from the storm and its aftermath. In addition, hundreds, if not thousands, of pets have been sheltered due to the storm.

"In addition to providing financial support, the AVMA is playing an important role in helping to disseminate information within the veterinary community, between the veterinary community and organizations providing animal and public assistance, and to animal owners and advocates so that those who need help get the right support as quickly as possible," said Dr. John de Jong, president of the AVMA.

The AVMF relies on the generosity of its donors to provide funds such as those recently given to veterinarians and shelters in North Carolina. To learn more about how you can donate to help veterinarians help animals, visit the AVMF website.

2018 AVMA Humane Endings Symposium | Nov. 2-4
October 2, 2018

Registration is now open for the 2018 AVMA Humane Endings Symposium, which is Nov. 2-4 at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois.

Experts on humane endings for animals will come together to present cutting-edge research and practical experience in the application of methods of euthanasia, slaughter and depopulation across many species.

The symposium gathers information for and showcases some of the AVMA’s most widely recognized and respected guidance documents. It consists of plenary sessions as well as two species- and hot topic-specific educational tracks.

When this event was last held in 2014, many attendees said that it was the best AVMA symposium they had attended. That same level of enthusiasm was uniformly reflected on post-event attendee surveys.

Registration and more information about the event is on the 2018 Humane Endings Symposium website.

Note: Register by Oct. 15 to receive the regular rate of $325. Registration after Oct. 15 is $375, respectively.

Lodging:A block of rooms has been reserved at the Westin O’Hare for symposium attendees. Rooms can be booked online or reserved over the phone by calling 888-627-8517 (mention American Veterinary Medical Association or Humane Endings Symposium). Any rooms within the block that have not been reserved by Oct. 11 will be released.

AAIV Education Series | September/October 2018
Summary of "AAIV Presents: Who's the Boss and Does it Matter? Getting Things Done When You're Not in Charge"
October 2, 2018

Regardless of title, role and positional authority in an organization, we all are capable of being a leader to accomplish large tasks in the workplace.

Jeff Thoren, D.V.M., PCC, BCC and founder of Gifted Leaders LLC, and Linda Mains, M.A., owner of Mains and Associates, shared their expertise in influencing without authority. Key topics included building trust and working with people in your network; the "power over" mindset versus the "power with" mindset; finding shared wants; and reality and points of view.

Log into your AAIV member account to view this archived webinar here.

In case you missed it... September/October 2018
October 2, 2018

Thank you for engaging with us on social media. In case you missed it, the most viewed post over the past two months was AAIV President Dr. Ellen Lowery's blog P earls for a Thriving Career, which had 77 engagements — 50 of which were likes and 18 of which were loves. The second was the AVMA's Check the Chip Day.

Stay up to date with AAIV through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. AAIV launched a new Facebook group for members as well as a new LinkedIn group. Join today, and contact us at industryvets@gmail.com with questions

Educational Opportunities at Kansas State University Olathe
October 2, 2018

Animal Health Industry Insights: Trends and Career Pathways | Oct. 23
This event will feature four prominent animal health industry speakers who will share their insights on current trends in the animal health industry and what that means for the future of the industry, including the impacts of acquisitions and mergers. A panel discussion will follow with a focus on career development, specifically related to the animal health industry.

Learn more about and register for the event.

Kansas City One Health Day | Nov. 1
Celebrate One Health at Kansas City One Health Day by learning about how the collaborative approach to human, animal and environmental health may help society outsmart antibiotic resistance. The event is from 3-6 p.m. on Nov. 1 at K-State Olathe and will be livestreamed on Zoom for those unable to attend in person. Kansas City One Health is a collaboration with Kansas State University, BioNexus KC and BioKansas.

Learn more and register for the event.

CRO-Sponsor Relationships: Best Practices to Improve Efficiency and Regulatory Process Outcomes | Dec. 6
Strong sponsor partnerships with contract research organizations, or CROs, can deliver substantial benefits for animal health product development both in efficiency and deliverable quality resulting in faster product approvals. But strategic partnerships require significant investment of effort to develop and maintain. By jointly confronting the barriers to success, and coming to agreement on the needed changes and time commitment required, sponsors and CROs can increase their probability of success. This seminar will explore the benefits, barriers and factors for success for truly productive partnerships.

Please note: AAIV members will receive a special 10% discount on their registration for the Dec. 6 regulatory affairs seminar. Please contact us at industryvets@gmail.com to receive this discount code.

AAIV Education Series | July/August 2018
Pearls for a Thriving Career
Ellen Lowery, DVM, PhD, MBA
August 2, 2018

When I first joined industry I believed I had the perfect job. I was immersed in a mix of research, education and clinical work in an environment that met my core needs at the time - challenging work, the right geographic location and financial security with benefits! Honestly at that time in my life, just out of graduate school with a mountain of educational debt and a family to provide for, I just wanted a ‘good’ job and wasn’t really thinking about my long term career. A few years later, as corporate priorities shifted, I was faced with a career decision – stay in R&D and shift my research focus, search for a different position within the company or look outside the company. I realized that I needed to take the lead in managing my career to be successful professionally and personally. I evolved from passively waiting to see what my manager thought would be my next role to actively learning about different roles and seeking new opportunities.

Career management can be thought of as the process by which we make reasoned, appropriate decisions about our work lives. It may seem that our careers are driven more by chance than ‘reasoned decisions’. This is where you take charge. Taking an active role in managing your career can be the difference between surviving a job and having a thriving career.
Some pearls for managing your career within a corporate environment include:

• Start with your ‘why’. Know what’s important to you in regards to your talents, interests and preferred lifestyle. What are the reasons that you’ve chosen the company and your position? This could range from needed a job with benefits to love the company values. For example, with my first position I had the opportunity to join a company that didn’t require relocation (important for my family), offered a strong salary and benefits package (important for me to be able to care for my family and service my loan debt), had a position that matched my interests/strengths (important for me to feel fulfilled and challenged) and was a company that had a mission that matched my core values (important for my fit and values as a veterinarian).

• Think about what’s important to you both now and in the future and be willing to step outside your comfort zone. Early in my career the ability to provide stability and care for my family was more important than climbing the corporate ladder. After a few years I was ready personally and professionally for new challenges and also wanted career advancement. I was willing to leave my role in R&D and embrace opportunities on the commercial side of the business. A great resource is the book Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers. She writes that one of the biggest reasons people don’t move ahead is the fear of making the wrong decision. Flip this to thinking about your potential gain from making the right decision and be willing to fail forward. If you make a mistake, it’s an opportunity to learn and grow.

• Embrace both the objective and subjective levers of career management. The objective components are things like the job position or duties (my first position as a scientist) and the subjective components are the feelings or values around that experience (exciting work, met personal values). From this perspective, career management can involve changing the objective component (moving from scientist position to marketing manager position) and/or by modifying the subjective perception (saying I have to stay with company for financial reasons versus saying I choose to stay with the company because supporting my family is important to me).

• Work with your manager and your network to learn about different positions. If there’s a position you’re interested in, ask about the requirements for that position (skills, location, travel, etc.), evaluate if the position is a fit for you in terms of your career and your life goals and if so, let your interests be known and ask for opportunities to develop the needed skills.

• Adopt a learner mindset and frame your career in terms of work related experiences vs. specific positions. Leaning in to opportunities builds your network and your skillset, both valuable in shaping your career. Look for ways to enhance your career through opportunities within your company, such as leading a project or volunteering for a task force, or outside your company such as working with professional organizations (AAIV, AVMA, local VMA or shelter, school board, youth sports, 4H, etc.)

Taking an active role in managing your career by understanding what you enjoy, what you’re good at and what really matters to you in work and in life will support a rewarding, successful career.

Next "AAIV Presents" Webinar
August 2, 2018

AAIV Presents: Who's the Boss and Does it Matter? Getting Things Done When You're Not in Charge
Monday, August 27 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Presented by:
Jeff Thoren, DVM, PCC, BCC, Founder, Gifted Leaders LLC
Linda Mains, M.A., Principal, Mains & Associates

How often do you find yourself wishing you could be “the boss” – or at least have the authority and responsibility that you think accompanies that title? How do you deal with the frustration of offering an idea or plan for organizational improvement – and finding that no one seems to listen or care? How much do you care about making a difference in your organization and your life?

In this webinar, you’ll discover how to lead from wherever you stand and have an impact on people, process, and even politics. Regardless of your official title or role, you can have a positive influence that will allow you and those around you to feel more empowered and fulfilled at work.

Register Today

2017 Compensation Survey Results - Now Available!
August 2, 2018

The 2017 Compensation Survey has been analyzed, and the report is now available for AAIV members to access on our report webpage. The compensation survey reports provide relevant data for industry veterinarians and companies. Thank you to all who contributed your information. We value your participation and contribution to the strength of the data. Access to this data is exclusive to AAIV members. To learn more about becoming a part of AAIV, visit our membership page and contact us with any questions.

Continuing Education Opportunities at Kansas State University Olathe | July/August 2018
August 2, 2018

Antibiotic Stewardship in Animal Health
Kansas State University Olathe is hosting a seminar series designed to provide the latest information about regulatory affairs in animal health. "Antibiotic Stewardship in Animal Health" -- the fifth seminar in the series -- is on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at
K-State Olathe. Due to the complexity of this topic, the seminar has been extended to a full day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The seminar also will be live streamed for remote viewing and recorded for post event viewing.

Learn more and register today.

Please note: AAIV members will receive a special 10% discount on their registration. Please contact us at industryvets@gmail.com to receive this discount code.

Upcoming Webinars for Academic Programs

"Master of Science in Veterinary Biomedical Science"
Wednesday, October 3
12:00 - 12:30 p.m. CT

"Professional Science Master's in Applied Science and Technology (PSM)"
Wednesday, October 3
12:30 - 1:00 p.m. CT

Learn more and register for an upcoming webinar.

In case you missed it... | July/August 2018
August 2, 2018

Thank you for engaging with us on social media. In case you missed it, the most viewed post in May was a shared article on Zoetis acquiring Abaxis, and the most viewed post in June was a request for feedback on the Veterinary Information Forum.

Stay up to date with AAIV through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. AAIV launched a new Facebook group for members as well as a new LinkedIn group. The goal of the new LinkedIn group is to provide increased opportunities for information sharing and virtual networking for our members. Join today, and contact us at industryvets@gmail.com with questions..

Traveler's Corner | July/August 2018
August 2, 2018

Looking to squeeze in a quick vacation before the end of summer? Check out the best summer vacation spots in the U.S. according to U.S. News & World Report.

AAIV Member Achievements | July/August 2018
August 2, 2018

Accomplishments
Silene St. Bernard, DVM, DACVPM, became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventative Medicine.

Awards
Mia Cary, DVM, past-president of AAIV, was awarded the first Pride Veterinary Medical Community Leadership Award. Read more.

Elections
Jessica Light, DVM, MA, was named as an industry, exclusive member of the AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents.

Matthew Krecic, DVM, MS, MBA, Diplomate ACVIM, was named as a veterinary medical research member of the AVMA Council on Research.

Saundra Willis, DVM, was named to the AVMA House Advisory Committee.

Have you had a recent personal or professional achievement? We want to hear about it! Email us at industryvets@gmail.com, and we will publish your news in the next
AAIV eNewsletter.

Join us for Happy Hour at Fetch Central
July 30, 2018

Traveling to Fetch Central in Kansas City? Join us for a casual happy hour at The Dubliner (170 East 14th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106) on Sunday, August 19 at 5:30 p.m. CT. Your first soda, beer or wine is on us!

An RSVP is not required. Contact us at industryvets@gmail.com if you have any questions. We look forward to this chance to connect, network and learn from each other.

In case you missed it... | May/June 2018
May 22, 2018

Thank you for engaging with us on social media. In case you missed it, the most viewed post in April was a shared article on Zoetis acquiring Abaxis. Also in April, AAIV participated in K-State Olathe's Open House and connected with over 1,500 attendees.

Stay up to date with AAIV through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. AAIV launched a new Facebook group for members as well as a new LinkedIn group. Join today, and contact us at industryvets@gmail.com with questions.

Traveler's Corner | May/June 2018
May 22, 2018

The Great Escape
Matthew Krecic, DVM, AAIV Board Member

Overwhelmed with the crowds on the concourses and gates at airports, I am often in search of quiet—and sanity. Accommodating spots may be few or even non-existent at some airports; yet, when I find them, I sigh in relief. What are these spots? Airline club lounges.

I like the accommodations—beverages; snacks; work carousels and comfy chairs, with the choice depending on my mood and time of day/night; clean bathrooms; and—importantly—quiet. OK, not every minute is quiet, but generally fellow patrons speak softly.

I have memberships for the big three carriers—American, Delta, and United. You may think this number of memberships is overkill; yet, I like to be prepared for wherever I travel. Traveling to or through Dallas or Phoenix? American. Traveling to or through Atlanta or Minneapolis? Delta. Traveling to or through Chicago or Denver—United.

Airline club memberships can be expensive; however, rather than paying for them outright, I try to creatively find ways to obtain them.

Consider—
• Using airlines miles—I have used airlines miles to outright obtain memberships for American and Delta.
• Obtaining an airlines credit card—I have the United Club Visa card—and with an annual fee of $450, I have receive an individual membership that also allows for one accompanying traveler. The annual fee is often less than that of the monetary cost of a membership and includes other perks—e.g. free checked baggage and airlines points for dollars spent.

Maybe you are not ready to commit to a one-year membership just yet because you want to ensure the membership will be of value to you. The good news is that you can purchase a one-day pass for around $50. Experiencing the airline club lounges through purchase of one-day passes convinced me of obtaining memberships—especially when I had significant, hours-long delays.

Seeking refuge in an airline club lounge is just one way for me to maintain my sanity. It may be yours as well. However, if not, what is yours? Please share at industryvets@gmail.com. Your comments may appear in a future Travel Tidbits column.

AAIV Member Achievements | May/June 2018
May 22, 2018

Happening(s)

Ellen Lowery, DVM, PhD, MBA
- Now a council member for the Veterinary Oral Health Council
- Spoke as part of a Women's Leadership Panel at the Veterinary Innovation Summit at Texas A&M
- Presented at the University of Florida VBMA meeting in March

Have you had a recent personal or professional achievement? We want to hear about it! Email us at industryvets@gmail.com, and we will publish your news in the next AAIV eNewsletter.

AAIV Education Series | May/June 2018
Summary of "AAIV Presents: The Skills You Need to Work in the Veterinary Industry"
May 22, 2018

As a professional in the Veterinary industry, you don’t just want to survive . . . you want to thrive! But exactly how can you take your career to the next level? What can you do to give yourself an edge in both the employment marketplace and the Veterinary industry?

Stacy Pursell, founder and CEO of The VET Recruiter shared her expertise in the executive search and recruiting profession in this informative webinar. Key topics included:

- Importance of maximizing your value
- Discussion of skills
- Tips for interviewing
- Taking risks and being open to opportunity

Log into your AAIV member account to view this archived webinar here.

In case you missed it... | March/April 2018
March 26, 2018

Thank you for engaging with us on social media. In case you missed it, our most popular post in January was a feature on Dr. Debra Nickelson. The most viewed post in February was a shared article on the Feather in Her Cap Award.

Stay up to date with AAIV through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. AAIV launched a new Facebook group for members as well as a new LinkedIn group. Join today, and contact us at industryvets@gmail.com with questions.

Traveler's Corner | March/April 2018
March 26, 2018

Business travel is a combination of efficiency and safety. Here are a couple tips to enhance your business travel from the 2018 AAIV president-elect, Debra Nickelson, DVM, MBA:

Efficiency
- Whenever possible, carry your luggage instead of checking it. Even if you need to ship some company literature or samples to your venue, hotel or sales rep, it is worth the convenience of having your bags with you instead of waiting (and hoping) they show up in baggage claim.
- Place your lotions, face cream, hair gel and other liquid cosmetics into empty eye contact containers to keep your liquids to a minimum.

Safety
- If you are concerned about hotel safety, consider using a wooden door jam inside your hotel room. Please note: plastic door jams may slide on carpet, but wooden door jams have worked well for me.
- Use a hair clip to keep the drapes closed in your room, even when you stay on an upper floor. Sometimes there is a gap in the drapes you just can’t close, and you may be able to use the hair clip for yourself during the day.

AAIV Member Achievements | March/April 2018
March 26, 2018

Promotion(s)

Christine Royal, DVM
Director, Companion Animal and Equine Professional Services
Merck Animal Health

Joseph Hahn, DVM
Director, US Companion Animal and Equine Pharmacovigilance
Merck Animal Health

New Job(s)

Ellen Lowery, DVM, PhD, MBA
Professor of Practice, Animal Health
Kansas State University Olathe

Have you had a recent personal or professional achievement? We want to hear about it! Email us at industryvets@gmail.com, and we will publish your news in the next
AAIV eNewsletter.

AAIV Education Series | March/April 2018
Summary of "AAIV Presents: ORGANized Veterinary Medicine: The Eyes, Ears and Heart of the Profession"
March 26, 2018

“Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine...” This is the oath we took upon graduation. With this admission, we joined a profession and a family of colleagues. There are many ways to support the profession and each other. How involved have you been?

- Learn about the importance of being involved – advocacy, education, mentoring, etc.
- Identify what options are available for how you can be involved- National, State and Local VMA’s and a variety of Allied Organizations.
- Learn how to get involved and how much time it really takes (hint – it’s not as time-consuming as you may think).
- Discover why supporting our profession is important now and for the future!

There is a way for anyone to get involved in supporting and giving back to our profession. Won’t you join us in sharing your experiences, expertise and excitement?

Log into your AAIV member account to access this archived webinar here.

Your Vote Needed: Veterinary Information Forum (VIF) Topics
March 26, 2018

The AVMA convenes the Veterinary Information Forum every 6 months as part of the House of Delegates meeting. The purpose of the Veterinary Information Forum is to allow the membership to bring forward and discuss emerging topics that affect the profession. The House of Delegates considers information from the forum and recommends action to address the issue. One such issue identified in 2016, was cyberbullying. As an outcome of discussion during the veterinary information forum, a hotline for support was established.

Vote for the Summer 2018 VIF topics.

Upcoming "AAIV Presents" Webinar
March 26, 2018

AAIV Presents: The Skills You Need to Work in the Veterinary Industry
Thursday, April 26, 2018 | 1:00 p.m. ET

As a professional in the Veterinary industry, you don’t just want to survive . . . you want to thrive! But exactly how can you take your career to the next level? What can you do to give yourself an edge in both the employment marketplace and the Veterinary industry?

Join Stacy Pursell, founder and CEO of The VET Recruiter, for this webinar. With more than 20 years in the executive search and recruiting profession, Stacy knows what Veterinary employers want in potential employees and how you can acquire the skills necessary for career advancement.

Register today: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3675941539553403393

You're invited to take the 2017 Compensation Survey!
March 15, 2018

The 2017 compensation survey is now open! The compensation survey reports consistently provide relevant data for industry veterinarians and companies. We encourage you to contribute your information by taking the survey today and passing the link along to your colleagues:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/comp_survey_2017

Your participation is valued and so important to the strength of the data. Learn more about the compensation survey and how AAIV members can access past reports here. We appreciate your time and continued support of the AAIV.

Annual Meeting and Networking Reception at VMX in Orlando
January 19, 2018

You are invited to the AAIV Annual Meeting and Networking Reception at the VMX 2018 Convention in Orlando!
Sunday, February 4 | 4:30 p.m. ET
Hyatt Regency Orlando | Silver Springs Room

Join us at the annual meeting and networking reception to:

• Network with your current or future industry veterinary colleagues while enjoying hors d'oeuvres, a hosted bar and door prizes
• Get a glimpse of how we will celebrate our 65th anniversary in 2019
• Learn about the benefits of joining or renewing your AAIV membership

Register today Walk-ins are welcome!

Upcoming Regulatory Affairs in Animal Health Seminar
January 19, 2018

This academic year, the Kansas State University Olathe campus is hosting four seminars designed to provide the latest information about regulatory affairs in animal health. "Ensuring Data Quality in Animal Health Studies" -- the third seminar in the series -- is from 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, at K-State Olathe, 22201 W. Innovation Drive, Olathe, Kansas. It also will be live streamed for remote viewing.

Read more

AAIV and AVMA working together for you | January/February 2018
January 19, 2018

Dr. Wendy Weirich appointed to the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee
Congratulations to Wendy Weirich, DVM, CVA, MSc, on her appointment as AAIV's alternate delegate to the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee.

"I am excited to serve on the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee because animal welfare has long been a passion of mine. I have worked in companion animal and farm animal welfare in various capacities and look forward to learning more about how animal welfare factors into the careers of industry veterinarians. I am also excited to get a closer look at how the AVMA AWC researches and addresses animal welfare issues. AVMA has always been my go to resource for continuing education and keeping up with what is happening in the veterinary profession. I have been a member since graduation and attend the AVMA convention as often as I can for CE." - Wendy Weirich, DVM, CVA, MSc

Dr. Weirich is a graduate of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine (BS, DVM) and Royal Veterinary College, London (MSc). She practiced small animal medicine in Arlington, VA before starting with Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Dr. Weirich has worked in various capacities over the years including sales, marketing, training, clinical studies and animal welfare. Her current role is as a Professional Consulting Veterinarian – responsible for engaging and educating veterinary students, veterinary technician students, general practitioners and veterinary specialists in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, DC and West Virginia.

Call for nominations: open AVMA positions
Are you or a colleague interested in volunteering for an AVMA committee or council? One position available for application is AVMA's Council on Education (COE). Interested individuals can learn more and apply here.

Other AVMA positions available for nominations include:

AAIV's Alternate Delegate for the Animal Agriculture Liaison Committee (AALC)
Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, Microbiology position
Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, At-Large positions
Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, Clinical Pharmacology position
Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, Industry, Exclusive position
Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural Agencies positions
Council on Research, Colleges of Veterinary Medicine positions
Council on Research, Private Clinical Practice position
Council on Veterinary Service, Private Practice-Exclusively Small Animal positions
Council on Veterinary Service, Private Mixed Practice position
Council on Veterinary Service, Recent Graduates or Emerging Leaders position
Judicial Council, At-Large positions

Contact us at industryvets@gmail.com to learn more or to nominate yourself or someone you know to serve in these positions. Please include the nominee's name, email address, the position or committee you are nominating them for, and the reason(s) you are nominating them.

AVMA House of Delegates Representatives latest blog post
What’s worse than hate? Indifference!
Love, hate or don’t care about the AVMA, it’s an organization which represents you as a veterinary professional.

But let’s be frank. I struggle with finding the relevance of AVMA resolutions, policies and services to me as a professional services veterinarian tasked with supporting a field based sales team.

Why should I care about….
Veterinary-patient-client relationship – I don’t see patients
The opioid addiction crisis – I don’t prescribe medications
Increased corporatization of veterinary medicine – I don’t plan to go back to practice
And the list goes on…..

How does any of this relate to industry veterinarians and our contributions to animal health?

And I came to the conclusion, I‘ve been thinking about it all wrong. Instead of asking how these issues affect me or you, I have a new question.

What does the AVMA need to do to represent your unique interests and needs as veterinarians working in industry?

Read more

AAIV Education Series | January/February 2018
January 19, 2018

Summary of "AAIV Presents: They Don't Teach Corporate in Vet School"
Many of our AAIV members either currently work for industry or are considering an industry position. In "AAIV Presents: They Don’t Teach Corporate in Vet School," Dr. Ellen Lowery shared insights on thriving in the corporate culture. Key highlights include:

• All businesses have a corporate culture which is the philosophy, values, working environment, attire, communication hierarchy, etc. that constitute the unique style, policies and expectations of a company. Observation is your superpower. Keep your eyes and ears open, observing how colleagues present themselves, how they work together and how they interact with executives, managers and customers. Successful employees effectively assimilate into their company culture and if the culture is not a good fit, then it’s likely not an environment in which you will thrive.

• Know the rules of the game and play by the rules. There are corporate politics and cultural norms. This does not mean you can’t challenge existing processes or assumptions, or be your authentic self. You may think you have valid reasons for a technical foul, however breaking that rule may result in a penalty or even get you thrown from the game.

• Some keys to thriving in a corporate environment are active onboarding, developing and protecting your personal brand and owning your career.
o Active onboarding: read your corporate/employee handbook, understand the organizational structure and build your network. Master the mundane - complete required training, tasks, reports accurately and on time!

o Personal brand: Your corporate persona, or personal brand, plays a role in how you are perceived at work. In the corporate environment perception is reality. Your brand can have a positive or negative influence on people’s perceptions. You may have a very short snapshot of time with business leaders or other influencers on your career growth. Be prepared and consistently present your best self.

o Own your career: Be a good corporate citizen, learn about various positions and leverage the performance management and development process. Identify your career goals, adopt a learner mindset, take on new opportunities and understand your role in delivering the company’s goals.

• Use your veterinary education, experience and insights to deliver business results. Make no assumptions that your commercial colleagues understand the complex world of veterinary medicine. You have valuable knowledge necessary for your company’s success. Share what you know such as the challenges and trends in the profession, working with professional associations, what products and programs make sense in a busy veterinary practice and what’s important to veterinary students.

Working for industry or in a corporate environment is a challenging, diverse and rewarding career.

Log into your AAIV member account to access this archived webinar.

Traveler's Corner | January/February 2018
January 19, 2018

With veterinary conference season ahead and business travel plans filling up, this is a great time to set aside time for a personal or family trip in 2018.

Check out the top 50 destinations for 2018 according to Travel and Leisure.

In case you missed it | January/February 2018
January 19, 2018

Thank you for engaging with us on social media. In case you missed it, our most popular post in 2017 was a shared article on Temple Grandin. The most viewed post in the last month was a video of Ralph Richardson, dean and CEO, K-State Olathe.

Stay up to date with AAIV through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

2017 Reflection
December 18, 2017

Greetings!

This year, AAIV has experienced growth, built partnerships and celebrated successes thanks to the dedication of AAIV members and our current and former Board of Directors members. On behalf of the board, it is my pleasure to share some reflections on 2017 with you.

AAIV has formed partnerships with Kansas State University Olathe (K-State Olathe) and the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), and the AAIV Board of Directors is very excited about these new relationships. The partnership with K-State Olathe has brought stabilization to our administrative platform while providing many new opportunities for our members as well as for the animal health industry. The partnership with NAVC has created an Industry Chair position on the NAVC VMX planning committee, which will be held by an AAIV member. This will bring increased professional development opportunities to industry veterinarians.

In July, we launched our new website and membership platform, which you can access by visiting www.aaivet.org. I invite you to log in, explore the new website, and connect with us.

In October, the approved bylaws change went into effect. This brought revisions to AAIV’s membership categories and allowed both international veterinarians and veterinary students to join the association. You can learn more about the new membership structure here.

This fall, we formed committees who are charged with developing and implementing strategies in programming; marketing and communications; membership recruitment; nominations; and fundraising. You are invited to engage in any committees that interest you. Please email industryvets@gmail.com to learn more.

While 2017 was an outstanding year, we are also looking forward to the opportunities 2018 will bring. We invite you to join us at the AAIV Annual Meeting and Reception at VMX on February 4 at 4:30 p.m. ET at the Hyatt Regency Silver Springs Room. Registration is optional, but you can help us plan by registering here.

In closing, I want to share a special thank you to my AAIV board colleagues and our remarkable program coordinator Emily Loeb. Because of you all 2017 has been fun, productive, and together we have successfully built upon the foundation paved by previous AAIV board members. Dr. Ellen Lowery, 2018 AAIV Board President, will take the helm of our organization as of January 1st. With her leadership, the board’s continued commitment, and your engagement – I am confident 2018 will be the best year yet for AAIV!

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank our members for being part of AAIV and encourage you to contact us anytime at industryvets@gmail.com. We wish you a safe and joyous holiday season and look forward to connecting with you in the new year.

Happy Holidays!

Mia Cary, DVM
2017 AAIV BOD President
industryvets@gmail.com

FROM AVMA: AVMA, AAVMC and AAVSB agree on telehealth statement
November 27, 2017

The AVMA, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), and American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) want to ensure that new technologies are deployed in veterinary medicine in ways that best support patient health and well-being.

For this reason, all three organizations have indicated their support of a joint statement recognizing the opportunities offered by veterinary telehealth and telemedicine, while placing the focus firmly on delivery of top-quality medical care for animal patients.

Read more at AVMA.org

AAIV Happy Hour at Fetch in San Diego
November 27, 2017

Traveling to Fetch in San Diego? Join us for an AAIV Happy Hour at UNION Kitchen and Tap Gaslamp (333 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101) on Saturday, December 9 at 5:15 p.m. PT. Your first round is on us!

An RSVP is not required. To help us prepare, please email industryvets@gmail.com if you plan to attend. We look forward to this chance to connect, network, and learn from each other.

Congratulations to newly elected AAIV Board of Directors Officers and At-Large Member
November 23, 2017

President: Dr. Ellen Lowery
President-Elect: Dr. Debra Nickelson
Secretary: Dr. Pamela Mitchell
Treasurer: Dr. Richard Hartigan
At-Large Member: Dr. Anthony Rumschlag

Drs. Lowery, Nickelson, Mitchell, and Hartigan will serve in their elected offices from January 1 - December 31, 2018. Dr. Rumschlag will serve on the board of directors for a three year term, from January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2020. Congratulations, all!

Read your AVMA House of Delegates Representatives latest blog post
November 15, 2017

It’s that time of year again. No, I’m not talking about turkey, football a