Membership Publication

the value of the

You may not be used to seeing this type of publication from the CVMA. Why are you holding this in your hands right now? Well, read on….

Every other month, the CVMA publishes California Veterinarian the flagship magazine for the California veterinary profession. In each issue of what we affectionately refer to as “the CV,” we bring you articles on clinical, practice management, legislative, and wellness topics, among others, and provide reports on what is happening in and around the CVMA and in the veterinary community at large. We also endeavor to drive home—in myriad ways—the benefits and value of CVMA membership.

So, recently, the thought came to us: Why not talk about everything we do in one, easy-to-digest publication? We are proud to offer The Value of the CVMA, which does just that. In the pages that follow, you will see that we advocate, we educate, we inform, we discount, we sponsor, we insure, we deploy, we defend, we award, we outreach, and more than anything else…we lead.

We are a membership organization, so our members are our lifeblood. The CVMA can’t thrive—or survive—without the robust participation of the California veterinary community. We realize that in exchange for that participation, we have an ever-present duty to maintain our leadership through everything that we do. We take that duty seriously. As you read further, you’ll see that CVMA membership literally and figuratively “pays for itself.” Membership is intended to bring you both the tangible benefits detailed in the following pages and the intangible mental and emotional payback of knowing that you are part of a membership and leadership community dedicated to supporting one another, and to furthering the interests of the profession that you have chosen.

So, if you are already a member of the CVMA, thank you! If you are not yet a member, we invite you to join today! Similarly, if you are a member and wish to become more involved in CVMA leadership, please let us know! In any event, we invite you to read on and familiarize yourself with everything that the CVMA is doing to lead the veterinary profession forward, now and in the years to come.

Welcome to the CVMA!

I appreciate the value of organized veterinary medicine and the positive change it can foster. As an equine veterinarian, I value greater coordination between practitioners, especially in times of disaster.

what members are saying...

I love to stay involved so I can know what’s going on in my profession, relay that information, and mentor fellow technicians that I lead.

I want to be a part of organized veterinary medicine and be informed of what is happening in my state.

I’m an active member of the CVMA because the CVMA excels at advocacy compared to other organizations. The CVMA defends our interests at the Capitol with regard to scope of practice and government intrusion. Essential and invaluable!

The CVMA provides so many important benefits and services that enhance my veterinary career. I feel I am a part of a large veterinary family, something much bigger than myself.

ESMERALDA HUERTA, RVT

Pedley Square Veterinary Clinic Riverside, California

GRACE BRANSFORD, DVM

Ross Valley Veterinary Hospital San Anselmo, California

SARAH GRAY, DVM

BRYAN HALTEMAN, DVM

Horizon Veterinary Specialists Ventura, California

Lander Veterinary Clinic Turlock, California

CLAUDIA SONDER, DVM Napa Valley Equine Napa, California

Pacific Veterinary Conference held annually

UP TO 28.5 CEU s

$110 savings for member DVMs on full registration

$85 savings for member technicians on full registration

Spring Seminar held annually

12 CEU s

$100 savings for Member DVMs

Fall Seminar held annually

12 CEUs for DVMs — $70 member savings

8 CEUs for technicians — $30 member savings

Online Seminars

5 PER YEAR — MOST OFFERING 1.5 CEU s

$60 Member DVM savings

$40 Member technician savings

All advocacy services are included with membership.

Members save the average monthly cost of hiring lobbyists to advocate for them at the Capitol: $10,000 – $15,000

Additionally, we represent you at state regulatory agencies, meet with agency staff, attend stakeholder meetings, and provide comments on proposed regulations.

See page 8 for more information.

*Visit the Membership tab on cvma.net for a full list of membership dues levels A CVMA

regulatory compliance products

continuing education legal consultation advocacy

$320 DVM annual spend*

$60 RVT annual spend*

DVM members receive 30 minutes of free monthly legal advice.

Members save legal consultation fees

$350 Average hourly rate for attorney consultations on legal questions

$150 Average hourly rate for paralegal services

See page 9 for details.

Mandatory plaques and pamphlets

$150 member savings

Cal/OSHA Guide

Saves your valuable time! The guide is customized for California veterinary practices and excludes unnecessary Cal/OSHA components applicable to general businesses.

See page 12 for more information.

CVMA members receive free access to LifeWorks Member Assistance Program

Saving on average therapist session: $150 Plus, LifeWorks offers a wide range of additional wellness resources.

See page 11 for more information.

additional CVMA member benefits

CVMA InLine — This program aids members with workplace safety, legal issues, and laws and regulations that affect the profession. The program can be accessed by members at cvma-inline.net.

The Relief Veterinarian Directory — Access to contact information for locum tenens veterinarians.

Practice Growth — The Find a Veterinarian Online listing allows potential clients to find you by name, city, and practice type.

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

CVMA Career Center — Post or browse for open employment positions and practices for sale.

Members-Only Online CVMA Directory — Allows members to network with colleagues and specialists.

CE Recordkeeping Maintain your continuing education records in one central location — your account on the CVMA website — and we’ll send you a reminder six months before your license renewal date.

MEETING YOUR INSURANCE NEEDS

Veterinary Insurance Services Company — Business and personal insurance tailored for veterinary professionals. See page 10 for more information.

Vision Service Plan (VSP) — Offering high-quality eye care plans.

Delta Dental — Dental insurance coverage for your personal and staff needs.

SAVINGS ON PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

CareCredit — Offers payment plans for your clients. CVMA members only pay $25 for the one-time set up fee.

Epicur Pharma — CVMA members receive 10% off products purchased from the Epicur Pharma 503B product line for in-house use and administration as well as secondary dispensation to clients.

GlobalVetLink — Electronic prescriptions, health certificates, feed directives, and other products at exclusive member discounts.

HireRight — Discounted employee background screening for CVMA members.

Infintech — Offering lowered credit card processing rates.

Staples Advantage — Everyday office items at discounted rates.

The Castle Press — CVMA members receive 10% off printing services and products, including controlled substance security prescription pads, regular prescription pads, letterhead and stationery, appointment cards, and more.

Car Rental Discounts — Available through Alamo, Avis, and National Car Rental.

FIND YOUR FUN

CVMA MEMBERSHIP

California Academy of Sciences — Provides discounts to the planetarium, aquarium, and natural history museum.

Tickets at Work — CVMA members receive exclusive savings on theme parks, movie tickets, hotels, tours, Broadway and Vegas shows, and more.

membership pays for itself by using just a few valuable CVMA member benefits.

save money | save time | save effort

free professional regulatory consultation

Making your way through the labyrinth of regulatory requirements imposed upon veterinary practitioners can be confusing. Accordingly, the CVMA provides member veterinarians free professional regulatory consulting on a variety of subjects, including those relating to the following state and federal agencies:

• Veterinary Medical Board and the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act

• Board of Pharmacy

• Board of Equalization

• California Department of Fish and Wildlife

• California Horse Racing Board

• Environmental Protection Agency

• United States Drug Enforcement Administration

• United States Food and Drug Administration

• United States Department of Agriculture

• Department of Fair Employment and Housing

• Department of Industrial Relations

• Department of Justice

• Department of Public Health

CVMA member veterinarians can call the CVMA office at 800.655.2862 for regulatory consultation services.

free legal services

All CVMA member veterinarians receive up to one half-hour of telephone consultation per month with an attorney from Wilke Fleury LLP.

Veterinary practice-related areas of the law covered by the program include:

• Business tax issues

• Business/professional advice

• Cal/OSHA issues

• Contract issues

• Employment law

• Practice ownership and organizational structure

• Regulatory and administrative law

• VMB/licensure issues

Areas not covered by the program:

• Criminal law

• Domestic relations to claim this benefit:

1. Call Wilke Fleury LLP at 916.441.2430

2. Enter extension number:

• 3336 for Steve Marmaduke

• 3314 for Jizell Lopez

3. Provide your CVMA member ID

To learn more about Wilke Fleury LLP, visit wilkefleury.com

For more information or to get a quote, contact the VISC office: 888.762.3143 info@visc-ins.com visc-ins.com

insurance tailored for the needs of veterinary professionals

Veterinary Insurance Services Company (VISC) offers insurance products specifically designed to meet the business and personal needs of the veterinary community, all at competitive rates.

CVMA members serve on the VISC Board of Directors and are active in advising insurance carriers and brokers of the veterinary profession’s unique coverage and service needs. As the CVMA’s wholly owned broker, VISC truly is insurance BY veterinarians FOR veterinarians!

Business Insurance

• Business package insurance

• Workers’ compensation insurance

• Commercial umbrella liability

• Professional liability (including Veterinary Medical Board legal defense)

• Commercial automobile insurance

VISC coverage includes:

• Employment practices liability

• Directors and officers liability

Group Health Insurance for Small Businesses (1-100 employees)

• Individual and family health

• Dental

• Vision

Disability/Life/Long-Term

Disability Insurance

Personal Lines Insurance

• Renters/homeowners insurance

• Auto/motorcycle insurance

• Jewelry/collectibles/personal umbrella

wellness made simple

CVMA members receive an invitation email from LifeWorks containing a unique link to join. If you are a CVMA member and have not received this link, please email jsmith@cvma.net.

resources to help

your

practice stay compliant

Does your practice have a Written Safety Plan? The CVMA Online Guide to Cal/ OSHA Compliance, is only available to CVMA members and is specifically created for California veterinary practices.

The CVMA Guide to Cal/OSHA Compliance provides an online customized written safety and health plan for your practice to assist in meeting mandated requirements. The annual subscription includes yearly reminders, important quarterly notifications, online access to the guide, along with regulatory and tech support. The benefits are EASY, EFFICIENT, AND ESSENTIAL for every California veterinary practice.

EASY An interactive step-by-step process that creates a written plan customized for your veterinary practice and guidance on implementing your Cal/OSHA program.

EFFICIENT The guide includes everything you need to maintain Cal/OSHA compliance all in one place, including:

• A customized written safety and health plan with policy statements

• Training information for designated safety coordinator(s)

• Workplace inspection checklists and report forms

• Required posting information

• Employee training resources

• Recordkeeping assistance

ESSENTIAL — Cal/OSHA requires a current written plan and active ongoing health and safety program in every workplace. A Cal/OSHA inspector will ask to see your plan. Don’t leave yourself open to significant fines. If you are a current guide subscriber, renew your yearly subscription to retain access to the guide, which stores your recorded plan.

CVMA members can subscribe to or access

The CVMA Guide to Cal/OSHA Compliance at cvma-inline.net.

CVMA

continuing education for lifelong learning

No need to search for the CE you need! The CVMA offers CE on a multitude of topics in a variety of veterinary disciplines. CE is available online or in-person at locations throughout the state.

vetcation

EFFICIENT

Our CE is offered in various formats to accommodate your busy schedule. Whether in-person or online, you can find CVMA CE when you want it and where you want it.

ECONOMICAL

Members receive exclusive discounted prices and priority registration.

ENJOYABLE

Combine leisure and learning with the CVMA’s in-person CE offered in vacation destinations like Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Palm Springs, San Francisco, and Southern California.

For a full list of CVMA CE offerings, visit the Learning tab at cvma.net.

There is nothing wrong (and everything right) with mixing business with pleasure! CVMA offers CE in vacation destinations so you can have your CE and your fun all in one.

make it a

CVMA Certified Veterinary Assistant Program

The CVMA’s Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVMA CVA) program is an opportunity for veterinary assistants to expand their knowledge and advance their careers in the veterinary profession.

Veterinary assistants learn through online education, in-practice practical experience, and skills assessments under the supervision of licensed veterinarians and RVTs before their final examination. Thanks to the work of our CVMA CVA Committee, the CVMA CVA program now offers Level I (basic knowledge) and Level II (advanced knowledge).

Benefits to Veterinary Assistants:

• Professional growth and increased value to the veterinary team

• Proficiency in medical terminology, nursing skills, surgical preparation, and much more

• The ability to learn while continuing to work

• One year of complimentary CVMA membership upon completing Level I certification

Benefits to Veterinary Practices:

• Cost-effective, high-quality training on a flexible schedule

• Improved patient care

• Access to over 1,000 training videos from Animal Care Technologies in both English and Spanish

• Ability to track veterinary assistants’ progress

• Multiple staff members can be enrolled in the program at the same time, each working at their own pace

• Support staff development, which can increase veterinary assistants’ skills on the job and prepare them to become Registered Veterinary Technicians

• Reduced turnover by creating career opportunities, not just jobs

Donald G. Low-CVMA Practitioner Fellowship

The Don Low Fellowship is a collaboration between the CVMA and the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital faculty designed to provide qualified California practitioners with an experience not available within residencies or other current programs.

The fellowship provides opportunities for practitioners to learn in the clinical setting of the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and other UC Davis veterinary programs, laboratories, and centers. The fellowship provides intellectual stimulation, interaction, and discussion between the practitioner, faculty, and students within an area of interest to the practitioner. Fellowships are awarded based on competitive merit, with preference given to CVMA members.

“Overall, this program met my goals of improving my clinical skills and becoming more efficient in working up complex cases, managing chronic illnesses, and diagnosing and treating young and adult diseases. It gave me the opportunity to work with students in the early stages of their clinical career and discuss the challenges and rewards available in a private practice setting. ”

Joseph Tumang, DVM 2018–2019 Don Low Fellow

For more information about the Don Low Fellowship, visit the Learning tab at cvma.net.

advocating for you at the Capitol and in front of regulatory boards!

The CVMA has a dedicated legislative team that continually monitors and analyzes proposed legislation and advocates on your behalf. This team includes CVMA staff, a legislative committee, the CVMA’s Board of Governors, and the CVMA’s lobbyists.

It is no exaggeration to say that the landscape of today’s veterinary practice would be vastly different if the CVMA had not been there to be the voice for the profession. Some examples of how the CVMA has protected the profession through advocacy include:

Preserving and Protecting Scope of Practice

Through the years, various human health provider groups like chiropractors and physical therapists, and laypersons like nonanesthetic dental providers, have attempted to expand their professions to encroach upon the defined practice of veterinary medicine. The CVMA has successfully established that these providers lack the appropriate animal-focused education and expertise to properly treat animals without veterinarian supervision. Simply put, the CVMA has defended veterinary practice to ensure that both animals and the profession are protected.

Separating Laws Pertaining to Human vs. Veterinary Medicine

Oftentimes, proposed laws intended to govern human medicine unintentionally include veterinary medicine, with detrimental effects. Some examples include proposals regulating drug compounding, electronic prescriptions, patient disclosures, health care licensee reporting requirements, fees, and many more. Where appropriate, the CVMA brings this phenomenon to lawmakers’ attention, ensuring that veterinary practitioners are not saddled with legal requirements that have no meaningful application to veterinary medicine.

Responding to Proposed Animal Welfare Laws

Proposed animal welfare laws, while often laudable, can fail to give adequate consideration to the unique clinical circumstances encountered in veterinary practice. As examples, laws that address animal confinement, enrichment, freedoms, and rights are wellmeaning, but may not account for medical situations actually being faced in practice. Similarly, laws seeking to institute reporting requirements can impose obligations on practitioners that fall well outside of the scope of veterinary medicine. In these instances and many others, the CVMA serves as a voice for the veterinary profession to ensure that your interests are considered.

To track CVMA-monitored bills through the legislative process, visit the CVMA’s online Legislative Action Center, found under the Government tab at cvma.net.

The CVMA keeps you informed about current legislative issues through the California Veterinarian magazine, our Weekly newsletter, Action Alerts, and on the CVMA website.

Throughout its history, the CVMA has been instrumental in successfully advancing hundreds of bills affecting veterinary medicine.

the CVMA PAC—uniting the voices of California’s veterinary professionals

Each and every year, California legislators make decisions that directly and indirectly affect the veterinary profession and the welfare of animals in the state.

The CVMA PAC enables the CVMA to effectively advocate on behalf of the profession by forming and enhancing working relationships with California lawmakers, establishing the CVMA as their go-to resource for veterinary-related legislation. In addition, the CVMA PAC maintains grassroots outreach methods in each California legislative district.

The CVMA PAC is bipartisan, funded entirely by contributions, and made up of veterinary professionals, like you, determined to protect the profession. The stronger the CVMA PAC fund, the louder the voice of the veterinary profession at the Capitol. To be a powerful force, we need all members of the veterinary profession to contribute!

Please get involved and contribute! Visit the Government tab at cvma.net.

representing California veterinary professionals at the

AVMA

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) establishes policies and advocates for the profession on the national level.

The CVMA ensures that the needs of California’s veterinary professionals are represented at the AVMA by:

• Endorsing CVMA members for the District X position (representing California, Nevada, and Hawaii) on the AVMA Board of Directors. The AVMA Board of Directors determines the association’s policies and promotes the AVMA’s mission and strategy.

• Sending dedicated California delegates to AVMA House of Delegates meetings. Among other items, the House is tasked with voting on AVMA resolutions, electing the AVMA’s leadership, and reviewing and voting on proposed amendments to the AVMA bylaws.

• Identifying and endorsing CVMA members as candidates for the AVMA’s many councils and committees.

TAKE THE CVMA WITH YOU

Access Member Benefits Anywhere!

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“I have been a member since graduation in ’88 and I believe it to be important to participate in the advocacy of our profession.”

Phil Richter, DVM, Ph.D., Diplomate ACLAM, Principal Consultant, RVCS

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Animal Hall of Fame

Inductee Ben and handler, Eric

charity in giving

The California Veterinary Medical Foundation (CVMF) is the charitable arm of the CVMA, established to nurture kindness, education, and wellbeing for animals, people, and their environment.

Through generous donations, the CVMF supports the veterinary profession and animals with:

• Disaster preparedness and response — The CVMF provides financial support to the California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (CAVMRC). In addition, the CVMF provides grants to reimburse private practitioners for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing subsidized or no-cost veterinary care to the public during a disaster. Learn more about this program on page 24.

• Scholarships – The CVMF awards annual scholarships to students at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine and Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine.

� The CVMF Student Scholarship is awarded to veterinary students who have demonstrated outstanding service in veterinary medicine at a city or county animal shelter or during a recognized California disaster response effort.

� The CVMF Ron Faoro DVM Student Scholarship is awarded to veterinary students for their leadership role.

� The CVMF/VISC student scholarship award is awarded to veterinary students from UC Davis and WesternU, and to California residents attending out of state AVMA-accredited veterinary medical colleges.

• Memorial Gift Program –

Provides an opportunity for veterinarians, family, and friends to honor and commemorate animals through the CVMF Memorial Gift Program or to recognize an outstanding client, friend, or colleague.

• Donations to the CVMA’s California Animal Hall of Fame winners – Celebrates the companion and working animals of California and the human-animal bond.

To learn more about CVMF programs and scholarships, visit the About tab at cvma.net.

charity in action

In recent years, California has seen a dramatic increase in the frequency and intensity of devastating natural disasters, like the record-setting wildfires that have crisscrossed the state.

Animals, unfortunately, are often the overlooked victims of these events. To help ensure the health and welfare of animals impacted by declared emergencies within the state, the volunteer members of the California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (CAVMRC) stand at the ready. The CAVMRC is the largest medical reserve corps in the nation with over 2,700 member veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and veterinary students ready to respond and provide veterinary emergency medical care.

The CAVMRC provides veterinary professionals with the credentialing necessary to support animal health in emergency response and continuing education opportunities focusing on emergency critical care. Volunteers are the lifeline for sick and injured animals in disasters.

The CAVMRC’s Mobile Command Center Is Ready to Roll

In past disaster responses, when CAVMRC coordinators arrived onsite, resources such as shelter, electricity, sleeping quarters, and WiFi were usually scarce, making for difficult working conditions. A generous grant by the Bernice Barbour Foundation has enabled the CAVMRC to procure and outfit a much needed mobile command center and supply trailer.

The new 40 foot mobile command center is a retrofitted RV that will provide a movable central staging area, complete with a generator, two air purifiers, WiFi, and living quarters for coordinators during protracted deployments, while the trailer will allow for transportation of essential medical supplies. Both the mobile command unit and the trailer are stored in a temperature-controlled storage facility where they are maintained in working condition, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice!

promoting wellness

It is no secret that mental health is a struggle for many in the veterinary profession.

Long hours, staff shortages, emotionally trying moments with patients, difficult clients, and student debt are just a few of the factors leading to psychological distress. In our 2019 Economic Survey, both veterinarian and RVT members identified mental health and wellness as the number one issue confronting the profession.

To meet our members’ needs, the CVMA has introduced our member assistance program (MAP), LifeWorks. This member benefit provides confidential consultations, information and resources, connections to community agencies and supports, and referrals to counseling (by video or in-person). CVMA members and their families have 24/7 access via phone, online, and by the free mobile app — all at no additional cost!

Additional wellness resources can be found under the Resources tab at cvma.net.

acknowledging excellence

There are those special people in the profession who go the extra distance to serve as an inspiration to all.

Whether it is by working long hours while still finding time to mentor, devoting their free time to improving their communities, or participating in organized veterinary medicine, these individuals deserve recognition.

Each year, the CVMA honors veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, organizations, animals who demonstrate the importance of the human-animal bond, and others who contribute to the veterinary community with a CVMA award at the Pacific Veterinary Conference.

CVMA Award categories include:

• Lifetime Achievement

• Distinguished Life Membership

• California Animal Hall of Fame

• Outstanding RVT of the Year in Private Practice

This benefit is sponsored by

• Linda Markland RVT of the Year in Non-Private Practice

• California RVT’s Outstanding DVM of the Year

• Meritorious Service

• Outstanding Service

For descriptions of each award and nominating criteria, visit the Membership tab at cvma.net.

engaging the next generation of veterinary professionals

The CVMA wants to ensure that tomorrow’s veterinary professionals start off on the right foot by providing free membership for students attending UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine.

In addition to enjoying all of CVMA’s member benefits, students can also take advantage of:

• Exclusive discounts on continuing education

• Student poster presentations at the Pacific Veterinary Conference

• Networking at alumni receptions at the Pacific Veterinary Conference

• Complimentary school ceremonies, dinners, and labs

• Scholarships to help with the student debt load

• Free liability coverage sponsored by VISC through all four years of school

• Involvement in CVMA leadership as a representative to the Board of Governors, House of Delegates, committees, or task forces

• The Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP)

New graduates receive:

• Their first year of membership for free, followed by discounted rates for the next three years

• Exclusive discounted rates on continuing education

• Access to job postings

• Networking opportunities

• And more!

Utilizing social media and our website, the CVMA promotes veterinary care and provides educational information and resources to the public.

The CVMA’s Find-a-Veterinarian Directory is a searchable listing that allows potential clients to find CVMA members by name, city, and practice type. Members’ practice websites may be linked to their listing, making it easy for the public to connect.

Social media campaigns through Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter include information on pet health, the importance of regular veterinary care, and other related issues. These social media posts include a referral to our Find-a-Veterinarian directory.

twitter.com/thecvma

promoting and educating the public about the veterinary profession

By embracing differences, veterinary medicine will benefit from a broader range of perspectives, ideas, and values and will be better able to serve the population.

The CVMA’s mission is to serve our membership and community through innovative leadership and to improve animal and human health in an ethically and socially responsible manner. This mission cannot be fulfilled unless the profession is open and welcoming to all.

The CVMA is taking steps to address this complex issue through:

• A series of articles entitled “Unity” in California Veterinarian magazine aiming to shed light on various aspects of the topic.

• Identifying a diversity of individuals to be leaders in the CVMA and making recommendations for diversity and inclusionrelated topics, speakers, and authors in CVMA presentations and publications.

• Educating and bringing awareness to leadership within the CVMA. One example is a recent presentation and workshop on implicit bias presented at the CVMA Leadership forum, which was attended by the CVMA Board of Governors and House of Delegates.

Diversity, Equity,

and Inclusion

resources may be found under the Resources tab at cvma.net.

fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive profession

access to care

Barriers to access to veterinary care impact both animals and the humans that care for them — owners and veterinarians alike.

Factors such as financial difficulties, lack of transportation, geographic barriers, uncertainty regarding how and where to get care, and lack of equipment to facilitate animal transportation are just a few parts of this multi-faceted problem.

The CVMA has assembled an Access to Care Task Force to examine the problem and to help formulate positions and policy regarding how to best address access-related challenges faced by the veterinary community and the people and animals it serves.

one health

The global One Health Initiative is an integrative approach to healthcare that arises out of the interaction between humans, animals, and the environment.

It involves the cooperation of human healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, epidemiologists), animal healthcare providers (veterinarians, technicians, agricultural workers), environmentalists (ecologists, wildlife workers), and other experts. While One Health is not a new concept, it has become progressively more important due to changing environmental considerations and increasingly close interactions between humans and animals worldwide.

The CVMA’s One Health Task Force has developed the following policy statement:

The One Health Initiative is the integrative effort of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally to attain optimal health for people, animals, and the environment, which together represent the “three pillars” of One Health. Veterinarians play an important role in ensuring the strength of these pillars by providing veterinary care to animal patients as well as monitoring food safety, environmental welfare, and zoonotic and exotic diseases.

The CVMA supports the advancement and awareness of One Health, including the development of translational medicine that brings physicians, veterinarians, and researchers together into the One Health sphere. The CVMA is committed to educating the veterinary profession on One Health-related concepts and perspectives.

Photos provided by Dr. Jennifer Hawkins

leadership in the CVMA

Maintaining the forward progress of a vibrant, active organization with many moving parts requires effective leadership. At the CVMA, that leadership comes from the Board of Governors and the House of Delegates.

If the CVMA is the ship, the Board of Governors is its captain and the House of Delegates is its first mate. The Board of Governors sets the CVMA’s policy and vision and is the organ through which the CVMA’s official business is conducted. The Board of Governors consists of 16 Board members, 11 of whom are elected by their designated geographic association districts, one RVT member selected by the RVT Committee and Leadership Development Committee (LDC), and four “at-large” members selected by the LDC.

The House of Delegates is an advisory body to the Board of Governors on matters of local and regional interest. It is composed of delegates elected or appointed by the CVMA’s 33 constituent associations. These associations include both geographic associations and those organized by subject matter affiliations, including RVTs, Holistic medicine veterinarians, food animal veterinarians, lab animal veterinarians, shelter medicine veterinarians, WesternU faculty and students, and UC Davis faculty and students.

get involved

You don’t have to have special, pre-existing expertise or skill to get involved in CVMA leadership — just a passion for the protection of the veterinary profession and the wellbeing of animals.

CVMA Committees and Task Forces

• Access to Care Task Force

• Agriculture Committee

• Allied Industry Committee

• Animal Welfare Committee

• AVMA Advisory Committee

• CVMA Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) Committee

• California Veterinary Medical Foundation (CVMF) Board

• CVMF Ron Faoro DVM Student Scholarship Committee

• CVMF/VISC Student Scholarship Fund Subcommittee

• California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (CAVMRC) Steering Committee

• Don Low/CVMA Practitioner Fellowship Selection Committee

• Finance Committee

• Inclusion and Diversity Committee

• Investment Committee

• Leadership Development Committee

• Legislative Committee

• Pacific Veterinary Conference Program Committee

• Political Action Committee

• RVT Committee

• Veterinary Insurance Services Company (VISC) Board

• Ways and Means/President’s Council

Task forces are typically comprised of experts in particular areas of knowledge, created on an “as needed” basis, while committees are dedicated to addressing more general subject areas that require regular, ongoing attention. Much of the CVMA’s work is done at the committee/task force level, with decisions and recommendations of the committees and task forces going to the Board for review and ratification.

For information about these groups and to download a committee interest form, visit the About CVMA tab on cvma.net.

“Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems.”

— Brian Tracy