Advocate Issue 4 2013 by FVMA

CALL

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NOMINAT I

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for 2014

January 10, 2014

USDA Accreditation Alert!

President's

MESSAGE

7207 Monetary Drive Orlando, Florida 32809 Phone – (407) 851‑3862 Toll Free – (800) 992‑3862 Fax – (407) 240‑3710 info@fvma.org www.fvma.org

he Holidays will soon be upon us and cool weather just around the corner. It is a time to once more remind ourselves of the many blessings we have to be thank‑ ful for. We live in a country that with all its faults is still the best place in the world to raise a family. We get to practice veterinary medicine, the craft we yearned for so hard in our youth. We go to bed at night knowing our loved ones are relatively safe in a fragile world. My wish this season is that the families of those who defend our freedom and our way of life know the peace that they sacrifice to give us. It is to them I am thankful most of all.

Officers Dr. Jerry L. Rayburn President Dr. Donald H. Morgan President-Elect Dr. Richard B. Williams Treasurer Dr. John R. Bass Past President Mr. Philip J. Hinkle Executive Director

I am happy to report both the young practitioners council and the political action teams are off to a good start. Both initiatives were well received by the FVMA’s executive board at their recent meeting. A special thanks to Dr. McVety and Dr. Layton for their efforts to serve the FVMA as chairs of their respective committees and the sacrifices made on my behalf.

District Representatives Dr. Alex M. Steverson District 1–Big Bend Dr. Richard C. Sutliff District 2–Northeast Dr. Marc A. Presnell District 3–Central Dr. Marc D. Pinkwasser District 5–Treasure Coast Dr. Ronald W. Todd Jr. District 6–South Florida Dr. Richard M. Carpenter District 7–Southwest Dr. Michael Epperson District 8–Northwest Dr. Christine M. Storts District 9–Space Coast Dr. Ernest C. Godfrey AVMA Delegate Dr. Stephen Shores AVMA Alternate Delegate Dr. Corey Miller FAEP Representative to the FVMA Executive Board Ex Officio Dr. James W. Lloyd, Dean College of Veterinary Medicine

We anticipate a very active legislative session next year. For the first time ever we will assume an active rather than reactive posture in the political arena. It will be the first test of our local political action teams and their ability to promote our agenda in a unified voice. As Dr. Bass said last year, “ We will be asking for your help as we present our side of the story. Hopefully, our members have done their job and established a relationship with the elected officials in their respective cities and counties. Protecting the profession is a group effort.” I expect membership to see tangible evidence in the next year of the efforts made by the state and local leaders on their behalf. For those who have not heard me speak at their local association let me share a common theme. If I had to sum it up in one word it would be “Unity.” When we agree and work together as a profession we are truly unstoppable. I went to Veterinary school for the same reasons I suspect many of you did. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of animals and the humans that love them. This would seem simple enough but sometimes our choices become blurred. The scope of our profession is so wide, and sometimes even with the best of intentions, agendas conflict. This is when we must take all care to ensure that we proceed in the best interests of our patients and the future of the profession. Will our actions make the world a better place? At this joyous time of the year let us remember why we became veterinarians in the first place.

FVMA Staff

Sandra P. Brooks Accounting/Membership Director Amber Coon Executive Administrative Assistant Ralph E. Huber Industry Relations Director Gabriel Lopez Graphic Designer/Desktop Publisher Alssa Mathews Multimedia Art & Design Director Beni Jean Price Financial/Membership Coordinator Diana Ruiz Meetings and Events Coordinator Ann Wade Communications & Public Relations Director

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Yours in service, Jerry Rayburn, DVM

In This Issue 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |

AVMA News Member Spotlight Meet James W. Lloyd, DVM, PhD Call for Nominations FVMA Gold Star Recipients participate in one health mobile medical unit

In Remembrance WILLIAM J. CARSON, DVM

r. William J. Carson, 82, passed away on September 3, 2013. A member of the FVMA, Dr. Carson joined the Association in 1960. He was born in Orange, NJ in 1931. His family moved to Panama when he was 7 years old, where he graduated from Balboa High School in the Panama Canal Zone in 1949. He went on to attend Oklahoma State University where he earned his DVM in 1955. While in college, Dr. Carson met the love of his life, Katherine, and they were married in 1957. Dr. Carson served for two years in the Air Force in Del Rio, Texas. He continued his career in Veterinary Medicine by working for the Department of

Agriculture in Beltsville, Maryland until his family relocated to Miami in 1959, where he began caring for small animals with Dr. Charlie Bild until 1978. For the next 35 years, he practiced under the name of Bild Animal Hospital, loving and healing the animals of South Florida. Dr. Carson’s kindness and compassion towards dogs, cats and their owners were evident through his many loyal cli‑ ents, and continued until his passing at the age of 82. His quiet kindness will be missed by all. He was predeceased by son Steven, and is survived by his loving wife Katherine (Kay); son William J., III (Michele); daughter Stephanie (Andrew) Baumann; and grandchildren William, Timothy, Megan, William, IV and Ashley.

JAMES G. GROVE, DVM

Ohio, for 16 years.

r. James Grove, 78, of Palm Harbor, Fla., passed away on July 14, 2013. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Dr. Grove owned and operated Court Veterinary Clinic, a small animal prac‑ tice in Clearwater, FL until his retire‑ ment in 1992. Earlier in his career, Dr. Grove was in mixed animal practice at Blanchard Veterinary Clinic in Findlay,

He was also an active Rotarian. Hardworking and dependable, he was a man of integrity who was devoted to his family. He enjoyed a good round of golf with friends, possessed a wonderful sense of humor, and leaves a legacy of many good experiences shared with family and friends. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 60 years, Virginia; son James of Alexandria, VA; daughters Debra DeMarco of Palm Harbor, FL; Kathleen of Yonkers, NY; Barbara of Grove City; Jennifer of Ft. Myers, FL; 6 grandchildren: Evan, Seth, Miki, Allie, Lilly, Jason, and 3 great-grandchildren: Cadin, Colton, and Sophia.

CONRAD WILLIAMS, DVM

r. Conrad Williams, the founder of Beaches Animal Clinic of Jacksonville, FL passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. Members of staff at the small animal clinic note his sudden passing with great sadness on the clinic’s website. Their tribute to Dr. Williams says, “We owe our hospi‑ tal’s existence to him as he opened Beaches Animal Clinic in 1959, despite the skepti‑ cism of town veterinarians that the clinic would survive beyond its first year.” In mourning their founder, the Beaches staff says, “He was a wonderful person, veterinarian, and in so many ways was like a father to many people. He continued to give advice and support for Beaches Animal Clinic well beyond his retirement date. He will be greatly missed.”

After retirement, Dr. Williams pursued an interest in art and painting, and some of his seascapes hang in the lobby and hallways of the clinic. A special note from Dr. William Daniel, an associate veterinar‑ ian at Beaches Animal Clinic reads: “I have known Dr. Williams all of my life, first as our family veterinarian, than as an employee during the summers, and later as an associate. I consider myself extremely lucky to have worked with someone who not only taught me a lot about Veterinary Medicine, but also about honesty and integrity. To me, he was a teacher, mentor, and mostly, a friend. He will be profoundly missed.” Dr. Conrad LaVerne Williams was 83 years old. He is sur‑ vived by his loving wife of 39 years, June Falk Williams; children, Roman, Judson, Buster Morrow and Gary Morrow; grandchildren, Judina Keaton and Wesley Morrow; five great-grandchildren; and two four-legged children, Jazzie and Amelia. www.fvma.org | 3

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AVMA CREATES PRIVATE EXCHANGE FOR MEMBERS’ MEDICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE The AVMA has created a private exchange, AVMA GHLIT CARE, to help members find medical insurance coverage that is customized to suit their personal needs. This comes with the beginning of the roll-out of the Afford‑ able Care Act (ACA) when insurance exchanges opened on October 1. Under the Affordable Care Act, most individuals who are not otherwise covered must purchase health insur‑ ance starting in 2014 or pay a penalty. New public exchanges offered by states or the federal government were open for subscription on Oct. 1. The AVMA GHLIT CARE the AVMA exchange that provides another option which is available to members of the association. The AVMA Group Health & Life Insurance Trust opened phase 2 of its private exchange, AVMA GHLIT CARE, in July during the AVMA Annual Convention in Chicago. Phase 1, which offered options for those currently 65 or turning 65, opened in March; phase 2 applies to all other AVMA members and to members of the Student AVMA. GHLIT Chairman Dwight King

of Wharton, Texas, says in a video message on the Trust website, “(The GHLIT) private exchange will be exclu‑ sively for veterinarians to use along with the (insurance) agents that you’re used to.” GHLIT medical coverage will end for some 17,500 AVMA members and their dependents at the end of this year because New York Life Insurance Co., made a decision to discontinue under‑ writing major medical coverage for bona fide association plans after 2013. New York Life cited challenges involved in complying with the ACA as the reason they were exiting the bona fide association health insurance market. Members who are covered by GHLIT’s term life, disability income, and other nonmedical insurance poli‑ cies will not be affected by the changes, as these policies will continue to be underwritten by New York Life. The initial enrollment period for purchasing health insurance for 2014 will run from Oct. 1, 2013, through March 31, 2014. However, for coverage to take effect Jan. 1, 2014, carriers must receive completed applications by Dec.

15, 2013. Using an online tool, AVMA members can compare the benefits, costs, and features of various plans and receive personalized quotes. An array of insurance options is available from a growing list of top carriers chosen specifically for veterinarians. The Trust has adopted a consulta‑ tive approach for AVMA members by providing live customer support from a team of licensed insurance advisers via a toll-free call to (877) 473-6017 or by going to the GHLIT website and choos‑ ing “Click to quote” and then “Click to chat with advisor.” An extensive FAQ page on the exchange answers many potential questions about health care reform. It answers questions about the ACA's impact on GHLIT insurance coverage, the nature of insurance exchanges, and implications for users, ranging from veterinary students on up through individuals older than 65. The GHLIT CARE exchange is also a communication tool to keep AVMA members apprised of ongoing develop‑ ments with health care reform.

www.fvma.org | 5

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT UF CVM LAUNCHES BUSINESS CERTIFICATE PROGRAM NEW PROGRAM HELPS UF VETERINARY STUDENTS ENHANCE BUSINESS SKILLS

By Sarah Carey, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine

ourteen University of Florida veterinary students spent part of last summer analyzing financial reports, observing staff-client interactions in private veterinary hospitals and learning about practice management as part of a new externship aimed at sharpening students’ business skills. The externship, which unfolded in separate two-week rotations in the summer, is the capstone of a new business certificate program now being offered at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine.

successful practice owners.” Students are paired with area practitioners in a “real-world” experience that allows them to enhance their business skills as they prepare to enter the workplace. They concentrate on one practice each week, and begin by meeting with the practice owner to discuss key areas the owners want to Pictured outside of Brick City Cat Hospital in Ocala are Mark receive feedback on – areas such Belyeu, Jenessa Graham, Matt Lastinger, Toffy Blaber, Dani Marks, as financial/revenue analysis, fee Deborah Eib and Allison Vansickle. All but Lastinger are students from the University of Florida. Lastinger is from the University review or observations of staffof Georgia and served as an assistant course instructor. (Photo client interaction. The students then courtesy of Dr. Martha Mallicote, University of Florida) observe the practice for two days, return to the classroom to process what they’ve seen a degree in economics, and John Haven, and prepare an evaluation to present college director and a certified public to the practitioner on the final day. accountant, so they can continue to teach Veterinary student Amanda the course in the future. Ditson said she had not taken UF and UGA are the only veterinary many classes up until now that had colleges in the country that offer such explored business. “This rotation a cohesive, comprehensive business allowed me to learn better with a externship to students, Sanford said. University of Florida veterinary stud hands-on experience,” Ditson said. “Despite the fact that most veterinarians ents Dani Marks and Allison Vansickle measure the treatment room “I loved that we were able to go into also become small business owners at some in a vete rina ry prac tice they visited in Ocala during their sum real practices and evaluate them. It’s point in their career, we as a profession externship. The information is used mer business management in completing a fee analysis. (Photo cour tesy of Dr. Mar tha Mallicote easier to understand numbers and are doing very little to train students for , University of Florida) statistics when you have an applicable that responsibility,” Mallicote said. “The situation.” certificate program and business courses To receive the certificate, students must Student Sandy Scarpinato signed that have been added to the UF curriculum demonstrate an overall awareness and up for the externship because she felt it over the last few years go far toward knowledge of practice management. would give her a glimpse of what correcting that deficiency.” The certificate program and externship practice ownership is like. “This were created by Dana Zimmel, DVM, chief rotation should be considered of staff of the UF Veterinary Hospitals essential to anyone planning on and adviser to the Veterinary Business owning a veterinary clinic,” she Management Association student club. said. Zimmel said she believed it would be a Jeff Sanford, M.B.A., director useful tool, not only for educating students, of entrepreneurship studies at but also for building relationships with the University of Georgia Small practitioners. Business Development Center “This training will give students an and founder of the original advantage when searching for their program at UGA, which UF’s first position, because they have an program is modeled after, Jeff Sanford and understanding of the challenges that visited UF for two weeks a prac titioner’s UF veterinar y student Jonathan initial meeting. financial report back in the clasWilliams discuss practice owners face when operating a in June to teach the first (Photo by Sarah sroom af ter an Carey) hospital,” Zimmel said. “Students will externship enrollees. He graduate with confidence and knowledge also trained Dr. Martha Mallicote, who that within a few years they can be coordinates the externship course, and has

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TWO MARION COUNTY FVMA MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN FIRST UF CVM BUSINESS EXTERNSHIP Two FVMA members and practice owners from Marion County participated in UF CVM’s first business externship program that was introduced during the summer. The program places students of CVM into animal hospitals on twoweek rotations, as part of the required course of study leading to a business certificate. UF CVM is only the second college in the country that offers such a program to veterinary students. For their pioneering spirit, and this unique contribution to veterinary education in Florida, the FVMA spotlights Dr. Doug Lammers and Dr. Frances Ramirez.

DOUG LAMMERS, DVM Dr. Douglas Lammers is the owner of Companion Animal Clinic of Ocala. Companion Animal Clinic is a full service Animal Clinic that has served the Ocala area since 1987. The Hospital moved into a brand new 6,000 square foot facility in 2009, and offers services in medical and surgical care, hospitalization, boarding, grooming and veterinary products. The clinic offers canine physical rehabilitation and actively promotes responsible pet ownership, preventative health care and health-related educational opportunities for clients. The CVM externship was designed to transfer knowledge to and from the participating students, and Companion Animal Clinic’s participation resulted in some changes being implemented at the clinic, said Dr. Lammers. He has been quoted as saying, “Sometimes as a practitioner, you tend to get exam room tunnel vision. Things seem to be going along well, growth is good and staff and The Member Spotlight features clients are happy. What the students did was give us a set of unbiased eyes, under the news, important happenings and/ tutelage of someone who had done a number of evaluations, and they pointed out a or kudos highlighting members and their profession. The FVMA number of areas where our flow was less than optimal.” welcomes information on you or Some procedural changes have already been made by the clinic. He also is taking your colleagues. a hard look at going paperless, changing his fee structure, capturing fees for services Please submit the information as not being charged for presently and adding a phone tree to answer calls that can’t be an email attachment to info@FVMA. answered within three rings. org attention: ADVOCATE Member Spotlight. Companion Animal Clinic is located at 5435 W. Highway 40 in Ocala.

If you know Someone.... •

FRANCES RAMIREZ, DVM, MSBA Dr. Frances Ramirez is one of the two practitioners involved in the UF CVM’s first summer externship. She owns Country Oaks Veterinary Clinic (COVC) which is located at 13938 S. Highway 441 in Summerfield, FL, an unincorporated community just south of Ocala. Country Oaks Veterinary Clinic is a full service veterinary hospital that was established in 1976. Dr. Ramirez and her husband Dr. Jose Davila purchased

Submit as follows: • Complete information in written form • Photographs must be submitted with entries • Photo cutline information written with everyone identified, left to right • Name and daytime telephone number of contact person Information is welcomed from all members and will be included based on space availability.

the hospital in 2007. Originally from Puerto Rico, Dr. Ramirez graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. She completed a one year small animal medicine and surgery internship at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists in Orlando, Florida and obtained a Master of Science in Business Administration at the University of Florida in 2005. She has continually practiced as a veterinarian since graduation, and worked as an associate veterinarian at COVC from 2002, before becoming its owner. She has a special interest in internal medicine and veterinary dermatology. Speaking about the CVM externship experience, Dr. Ramirez said, “It was very nice to have someone else look at your practice and offer positive feedback.” The students, she said, “provided a very comprehensive written evaluation of what they observed, calculated and researched.” Anyone seeking more information about the program, including practitioners interested in how to participate, should contact Dr. Mallicote by email at mallicotem@ufl.edu or by phone at 352-294-4325. www.fvma.org | 7

MEET JAMES W. LLOYD, DVM, PhD Dean, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine

r. James W. Lloyd became Dean of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine on July 1, 2013. He previously was a Professor and Associate Dean for Budget, Planning and Institutional Research at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Lloyd received his Ph.D. in agri‑ cultural economics, with emphasis on agribusiness management and operations research, from Michigan State University in 1989, and his D.V.M. from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. A key leader in the area of animal health economics, Dr. Lloyd led the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues working group on enhancing the skills, knowledge, aptitudes, and attitudes of veterinarians from 2000-2009. He has also worked as an organizational devel‑ opment consultant, emphasizing strate‑ gic planning and leadership development with inclusion as a core element. Over the course of his career, Dr. Lloyd has worked to progressively apply the dis‑ ciplines of economics, management, and

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business to the veterinary medical pro‑ fession through research, teaching, and service/administration. Among his many honors are being included in the President’s Honor Roll of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Associa‑ tion in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011, and serving as Senior Fellow, Outreach and Engagement, at Michigan State Uni‑ versity from 2005-2013. He received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Asso‑ ciation of Veterinary Practice Manage‑ ment Consultants and Advisors in 2004, a Creativity in Teaching Award from Merck AgVet in 1995, and Extension program‑ ming awards in 1992 and 1993.

A Q and A with Dean Lloyd Question 1: Please describe why you wished to come to Florida:

Dean Lloyd: The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine has a very strong reputation across the veterinary medical profession. It’s just an outstand‑ ing school with so many diverse aspects, being a part of both the UF Health Sciences

Center and the Insti‑ tute of Food and Agri‑ cultural Sciences. The new UF Small Animal Hospital is a magnificent facil‑ ity that has allowed the college to reach new heights in patient care, and it has been exciting to learn more about the wide array of clinical services we provide to the refer‑ ral community for pets, horses, and food animals. In addi‑ tion, our college has unique strengths in areas such as aquatic animal health, infec‑ tious disease research, wildlife and zoological medicine and shelter medicine, just to name

a few. I’m looking forward to working with the college’s outstanding faculty, staff and students, as well as other groups such as our alumni and the practicing community, to enhance our core strengths in teaching, research and service. Of course, that will involve cultivating and strengthening our already deep ties with FVMA.

Question 2: Please describe your early experience being Dean of the UF CVM. Dean Lloyd: The first three months have just been a real treat. It doesn’t matter which leaf I look under or which door I look behind, I’m consistently and pleasantly surprised with the quality of the programs and the people at the UF CVM. Everyone has been so welcoming and so supportive. I need to thank the dean’s office staff and the leadership team within the college for that. I don’t think I could have scripted it much better. I’ll also say this. In spite of the economic roller coaster Florida and the University of Florida have experienced

over the last few years, thanks to recent legislative actions, central UF support and prudent leadership under the previous dean, I arrived to find a college that has a solid financial foundation to build upon. That being said, I’ll quickly acknowledge that we wouldn’t be here without the many sacrifices and concessions that faculty and others have made; I know it has been a dif‑ ficult time in recent years. It looks like the college is now on the upswing and I will do my part to keep the positive momen‑ tum going.

Question 3: What kind of leader are you or would you like to be? Dean Lloyd: I would like to be an engaged leader, an effective listener, and an advocate for the college, its students, faculty and staff, and the veterinary medi‑ cal profession. We need to do a consistent job in sharing the good stories about both the outstanding quality of educational, clinical, research and outreach programs we have here, and the exciting career opportunities that exist in the veterinary medical profession. I hope to be effective in that role. In advocating, I want to help people understand what goes on here at the col‑ lege and how we are making a difference in peoples’ lives. At the same time, I want to be effective in garnering continued strong support for the college and its programs from the university and other sources. As UF was recently designated a

“preeminent” university by Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature, I want to spread the word that there are great oppor‑ tunities here. We will help UF in its goal of joining the nation’s top 10 public uni‑ versities through continued engagement in strengthened teaching, clinical service, research, and community outreach.

Question 4: Is it possible to get a view of the plans/priorities you have set for your tenure as dean of the college? Dean Lloyd: In the short term, I just want to meet and start to build relation‑ ships with all of our many stakeholder groups. Long term, as I said earlier, I want to work with the faculty, staff and students, as well as key external groups, especially the FVMA, to identify the key strategic priorities for the college, and to build plans and programs around those. To me, leadership is about two things: preserving the core and leading change. My job as an effective leader is to iden‑ tify the things we do well, to continue to do those things, and to effectively build on them as we lead the change that’s inevitable.

Question 5: After attending your first FVMA Board meeting, how do you perceive your role and involvement in organized medicine in Florida? Dean Lloyd: I very much look for‑ ward to working with the FVMA and its

members to create the future of veterinary medicine in Florida. First, we will focus on teaching, as our students are the future members of the FVMA. We are firmly invested in the quality of our graduates, and want to make sure the students who complete the profes‑ sional DVM program here at UF are ready for private practice and ready to meet your needs as their employers. Next, you can count on us to strengthen research efforts at the college, which should lead to new and improved sci‑ entific knowledge for use in FVMA members’ practices. As we advance our research programs, we will also be helping UF toward the goal of becoming a top 10 public university nationally as the preemi‑ nent academic institution in the state of Florida. Finally, referrals from FVMA practi‑ tioners are critical. As your partners in patient care, we’ll continue to offer cut‑ ting-edge diagnostic and treatment ser‑ vices to better serve FVMA members and their clients. Exceeding expectations with these cases on an ongoing basis will sus‑ tain the flow of vital teaching material for our students while enhancing the success of FVMA members’ practices. Active engagement with FVMA and the veterinary medical profession will inform our teaching, research, clinical service, and community outreach, with our goal being programs of unquestionable qual‑ ity. In this regard, active engagement with FVMA will be critical for us to be pre‑ eminent at what we do. We need to move forward together, and I am truly looking forward to the journey.

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FVMA ANNUAL AWARDS

ominations are now being received by the FVMA Awards Committee for Annual Awards which will be made during the FVMA’s 85th Annual Conference to be held in Orlando, Florida, April 25-27, 2014. This long-standing FVMA tradition honors outstanding association members and individuals who have served and contributed significantly to the advancement of veterinary medicine or the veterinary profession. Awards are presented during the annual conference in an elegant ceremony where membership come together to celebrate the outstanding careers, achievements and contributions of peers in the profession. These annual awards also give members a unique opportunity to highlight the important contributions of dedicated team members and members of the public, whose actions further the advancement of the veterinary profession. The Awards Committee is chaired by Immediate Past President, Dr. John Bass. The Committee will receive nominations in their prescribed forms and select the 2014 FVMA award recipients, who will be notified by mail not later than six weeks before the awards ceremony. The deadline for nominations is

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January 10, 2014. A separate form must be completed for each nomination. Nomination forms are available on the FVMA website, www.FVMA.org. Select, fill out and mail nominations to FVMA Awards Committee, 7207 Monetary Drive, Orlando, FL 32809, fax to (407) 240-3710, or email them to ann.wade@fvma.org. Complete instructions are provided on each form. A high resolution photograph of the nominee must be submitted along with the nomination, or emailed. Questions on the nomination procedure should be directed to Ann Wade at the FVMA by email to the above email address or by telephone at (800) 992-3862. The award categories for which nominations are being accepted are:

Gold Star Awards

To be awarded to members who have contributed much of their time and energy to the association and/or local association for the advancement of Veterinary Medicine and the Profession. In any given year, no more than two percent of the total membership may be awarded a Gold Star. To be eligible for this award, the nominee must have been an active member of the Association for at least the past three years.

Veterinarian of the Year

To be awarded to a member for distinguished and unselfish, dedicated service to the Association for the advancement of Veterinary Medicine and the profession. To be eligible for this award, a nominee must have been an active member of the Association for at least the past 10 years.

Lifetime Achievement Award

To be awarded to a senior active or retired member who has made outstanding contributions to the Association and Veterinary Medicine. To be eligible for this award, a nominee must have been an active or retired member of the Association for the last 30 consecutive years and must be at least 65 years old. In exceptional cases, the service requirement may be reduced to 25 years.

Distinguished Service Award

To be awarded for exceptional achievements and contributions by a member towards the advancement of Veterinary Medicine and the profession. To qualify, a member must demonstrate that he/she has been fully dedicated to veterinary medicine and given time and energy beyond reasonable expectations.

To be eligible for this award, a nominee must have been an active member of the Association for at least the past 15 years.

Citizen of the Year

This award is to be awarded to any non-veterinarian who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the Association and Veterinary Medicine.

Certified Veterinary Technician and Team Member of the Year These two awards recognize the many outstanding contributions made by Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVT) or any other special team member to the overall success of the veterinary practice operated or staffed by an FVMA-member veterinarian. The criteria for nomination requires that the individual be a full-time employee of an FVMA-member practice for a minimum of 3 years and demonstrate the following: • CARING -- Provides animal health care services in a compassionate and clinically appropriate manner. • COMMITMENT -- Works in support of the employ‑ ing veterinarian to achieve a high level of client satisfac‑ tion and established annual performance goals of the veterinary practice. • LEADERSHIP -- Assumes a leadership role in cre‑ ating and maintaining an efficient and highly motivated animal health care services delivery team among all employees. • EDUCATION -- Regularly strives to further develop his/her knowledge and skills by participating in continu‑ ing education seminars, formal study at a junior col‑ lege or university, or by undertaking self directed study through journals, online programs, etc.

Pet Hero

There will be one inductee selected for one of the follow‑ ing categories: 1. HERO -- Pets who have unselfishly saved or preserved human life (non-professional). 2. COMPANION -- Pets who have provided a benefit and contributed to the qual‑ ity of life of their human companions. 3. PROFESSIONAL -Specialty trained as a physically challenged person's assistance animal or used in law enforcement. Requirements for Nomination Individual FVMA members or organizations having an FVMA-member endorsement may submit nominations. Each nomination must be a living, domestic animal that exemplifies the affection, loyalty, security and value of the human-animal bond. The owner/caretaker must sign the completed nomi‑ nation form and the release form. Include comments by the nominating veterinarian and others describing why the animal should be awarded.

NOMINATION DEADLINE

January 10, 2014

www.fvma.org | 11

FVMA GOLD STAR RECIPIENTS DR. JENIFER CHATFIELD AND DR. MARA RICCI participate in one health mobile medical unit in Pasco county

wo FVMA gold star awarded veterinarians collaborated with volunteer partners in Pasco County to engage in a recent One Health mobile medical outreach to the homeless, and came away from the experience with meaningful data and a greater appreciation for the value community service of this kind brings to the public in general. Dr. Jenifer Chatfield and Dr. Mara Ricci who both belong to the Pasco Hernando Veterinary Medical Association, are members of the FVMA. Dr. Chatfield and Dr. Ricci submitted the ensuing story to The One Health Newsletter, a quarterly newsletter that is dedicated to enhancing the integration of animal, human, and environmental health. The newsletter is a collaborative effort by a diverse group of scientists and health professionals, who are committed to promoting One Health. Dr. Chatfield and Dr. Ricci wrote the article about their experience, along with Andrea Mason, RN and Raine Johns of the 6th Circuit Public Defender’s Office. They were assisted in carrying out the mobile medical outreach with help from industry, namely Merial who provided rabies vaccines, certificates and Frontline topical flea preventive; Novartis who provided Capstar oral flea prevention; MWI who donated other consumables; and the Pasco Hernando Veterinary Medical Association who provided other supplies.

One Health Approach to a Mobile Medical Unit in Pasco County, Florida

By: Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Raine Johns, JD, Mara Ricci, DVM, Andrea Mason, RN

According to recent estimates, Pasco County has the 2nd largest homeless population in Florida. While statistics on the homeless are notoriously imperfect, 2012 reports indicate that 4,502 people out of the overall population of 470,391 met the federal definition of homeless issued by the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and 14% are living below the poverty level.5 Pasco County has many rural areas and thus many of the homeless reside in wooded areas and tent camps, increasing the likelihood of unintentional exposure to feral animals including cats, raccoons, pigs, and other animals. Through a collaborative effort, a One Health mobile medical unit (MMU) provided human medical care, legal services outreach, and veterinary medical prevention of zoonotic diseases to companion animals of the homeless in Pasco County, Florida.

History

In 2012, the public defender’s office launched a MMU outreach program to provide routine and preventive medical care, as well as legal consulting services, to the homeless in Pasco County. On a regular schedule, the MMU travels to established locations used by the homeless such as ministries and shelters. A medical care provider sees patients on a walk-up basis from 9a-1p. Community partners, such as local hospitals and other health care providers, supply volunteer nurses as well as support staff and other allied health professionals. The MMU continues to expand its reach to diverse populations through cultivation of community partnerships throughout the county. The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County provides medical oversight for the MMU. The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a volunteer organization that supports public health in the face of disasters or during planned events. Once activated, members essentially become volunteer employees of the local public health department. The West Central Florida Medical Reserve Corps (WCFMRC) is well integrated with the regional veterinary medical association, the Pasco Hernando Veterinary Medical Association (PHVMA), with 12 PHVMAmember veterinarians credentialed with the WCFMRC. 12 | FVMA ADVOCATE

Dr. Ricci and Dr. Chatfield apply Frontline to Brutus, a 12 week old pup.

Event

On June 20, two veterinarians and four administrative assistants provided zoonotic disease prevention to companion animals. Preventive procedures included a physical exam, rabies vaccination if indicated, flea prevention and gastrointestinal parasite control. Vaccination certificates were provided to the owners. Pursuant to Florida statute, this limited service clinic provided only immunizations or parasite control. In addition, people were seen aboard the MMU by the human medical provider for routine care. All patients/ clients completed a short exit survey.

Results

Forty companion animals were seen by the veterinarians on duty in 3.5 hours while seventeen people were seen aboard the MMU by the ARNP on duty. Additionally, three other people were identified as in need of mental health assistance based on significant behavior demonstrated during the event, and appropriate actions, including outpatient case management, were initiated on their be-half. Patient/client exit survey results showed that: 48% of people stated their pets had never seen a vet; 74% routinely come into contact with animals that are not their pets and 36% of those animals are stray/feral cats and 9% are raccoons. Feral cats and raccoons are well-established reservoirs for serious zoonotic diseases. An encouraging statistic from the survey was that 9% of those utilizing services that day came for both animal and human medical services.

feral/stray cats and raccoons (known rabies vectors in Florida) by a vulnerable population is occurring. Organized and active outreach to this vulnerable population to prevent transmissible and zoonotic diseases should be a priority for public health and community partners.1 Animal companions can help relieve the loneliness and negative health consequences that can accompany the newly homeless. Strategies for safely maintaining that beneficial human-animal bond should be promoted.3 Engaging local veterinary medical associations, departments of health, and service providers can work. After all, herd health is most effective when the entire herd is included. References available at: http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseasesand-conditions/diseases-from-animals/one-health-newsletter/ ohnl-references/mmu-ref.pdf

Discussion/Conclusion

This wildly successful event validates a large need among an often dismissed pet-owning population. In fact, many homeless persons claim to be pet owners.2 Cost has been determined to be the most common reason for delinquent veterinary care among pet owners. It would seem logical that those in such dire financial straits as to be homeless would be less likely to seek veterinary care. With the lack of routine preventive medical care and low-level housing circumstances, sometimes only tents, the homeless are certainly more vulnerable than the average person to zoonotic disease. Couple these circumstances with a general lack of education,4 and a recipe for a public health disaster begins to emerge. This event provided a positive experience and introduced the idea of safe practices around animals to the homeless it served. In addition, the data collected provided a clearer picture of animal contact for area municipal leaders indicating that routine contact with

L-R: Ryan Murphy (Public Defender’s), Raine Johns , JD (Public Defender’s and MMU Coordinator), Deborah Hensley (MRC Coordinator), Andrea Mason, RN (MRC volunteer/PHVMA Liaison), Diana Mattox, DVM (Spay Pasco), Mara Ricci, DVM (MRC volunteer), Lyra Gaboardi (PHVMA volunteer), Jenifer Chatfield, DVM (MRC volunteer), Jeri Chatfield (PHVMA volunteer)

www.fvma.org | 13

G Gulf-Atlantic A Veterinary Conference

Successful Inaugural Launc

he weekend of October 4, 2013 saw the very successful launch of the Gulf-Atlantic Veterinary Conference (TGAVC), the newest national provider of continuing education in veterinary medicine. TGAVC is managed by the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA), and it is being offered annually at venues in the Eastern and Southern seaboard states; along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States. With TGAVC’s launch, a new course is being charted in the delivery of world-class continuing education for the entire veterinary team. It is a small animal conference. It is held in boutique resort settings, to provide CE to attendees from around the United States, Canada and the Caribbean and Latin American region with the most recent advancements in veterinary medicine and technology. The Managing Board and the FVMA’s vision is for TGAVC to evolve as the defining national veterinary conference that will offer veterinarians and team members a different conference experience. All efforts are to be made to design and plan annual conferences guaranteed to be free from the hustle and the bustle, and the frustrations of convention center conferences. TGAVC presents its scientific program in environments that are refreshing and invigorating; and couples its scientific offering with networking opportunities and social activities that encourage fellowship and informal sharing. Executive Director Phil Hinkle says the vision is to produce a “platinum conference” that offers attendees “exceptional value at affordable cost.” The inaugural TGAVC in Boca Raton lived up to expectations, and delivered an extraordinary weekend of activity for the 700 attendees who chose to be present for the charter meeting. TGAVC 2013 was held at the famed Boca Raton Resort & Spa, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Boca Raton, Florida. Often the destination of choice for heads of state and royalty when they visit the Florida South East, the Boca Resort elegantly sits on the Atlantic Coast at the entrance to the Intracoastal Waterway. It gleams with old world beauty and charm, with 20 ft vaulted ceilings and spacious rooms and corridors. In their evaluations, attendees gave the inaugural Gulf-Atlantic Veterinary Conference a resounding thumbs-up. An outstanding sci‑ entific program was matched by unique social activities, and produced an enriching overall experience for all.

14 | FVMA ADVOCATE

The aim was to make attending TGAVC 2013

rewarding, seamless and very enjoyable! The annual fishing tournament went off without a hitch on Thursday, October 3, to start a weekend which included 323 hours of lectures, workshops and wet labs. The program covered diverse areas in veterinary medicine, and included internal medicine, surgery, emergency and critical care, pain management, clinical pathology, oncology, dermatology, avian medicine, ophthalmology, rehabilitation and laser therapy, anesthesiology, urology, radiology, behavior, feline medicine, abdominal ultrasound, cardiology and business and practice management. Attending practice owners, managers and other team members networked in the TGAVC Marketplace with representatives of industry, and participated in the Cover-all Bingo which gave away more than $12,000 in prizes. TGAVC also introduced the TGAVC Store in the Marketplace, and offered great value veterinary-specific designer apparel in aid of the FVMA Foundation. A one-of-a-kind dinner cruise on Saturday night aboard a luxury yacht,

the Lady Windridge, highlighted the extra-curricular events of TGAVC 2013. Attendees enjoyed a unique opportunity to kick off their shoes and unwind to live steel drum music, and marvel at the truly spectacular mansions lining the banks of Boca Raton’s Intracoastal Waterway.

Celebrated Hall of Fame Speaker, Steve Gilliland capped TGAVC as keynote speaker on Sunday morning. He was enthusiastically received at TGAVC’s General Assembly, where several hundred attendees gathered and cheered his rousing presentation, Making a Difference - Purpose, Passion and Pride. Registered attendees from 36 states and Canada, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands and the US Virgin Islands came to TGAVC 2013, and Executive Director Phil Hinkle has said TGAVC’s management and staff are pleased with the reception this new national conference has received from the veterinary profession. Preparations for TGAVC 2014 have already started, and a date and venue are expected to be announced in December.

Steve Gilliland Hall of Fame Speaker

An Overview of the Affordable Care Act for 2014: Your Need-To-Knows about the Law Commonly Known as Obama Care As the benefits advisor to the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, David Frank, founder and president of The GameChanger Planning Network, was asked to provide an overview of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for 2014, and beyond, for the benefit of FVMA members. The Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010. Many inquiries have been submitted to the association about guidance concerning the ACA and the impact to the veterinary industry. The outline below is a snapshot of the law and highlights provisions you may, or, may not, be aware of, with arguably the most critical part of the implementation process beginning on January 1, 2014. Access to a 6-minute video and a concise, but detailed, overview is available upon request via email to quickly recap what you need to know for 2014.

Veterinary Practices with Less Than 50 Full-time Employees The vast majority of the veterinarians in Florida employ less than fifty employees. If you are unaware, small businesses that have a staff of less than 50 full-time employees will not be required to provide health insurance to their employees. However, certain aspects of the law may directly impact you with regard to access to healthcare, the safety of your identity and increased taxes. We will address these issues in a subsequent article.

Veterinary Practices with More Than 50 Full-time Employees Veterinary operations that employ more than 50 fulltime employees received a welcomed respite from the implementation of the Employer Mandate that was schedule to go into effect in 2014. This provision has been delayed until 2015 and means that any business with more than 50 full-time employees is not required to offer insurance to their employees. It also means that the business will not be penalized financially for not offering insurance in 2014 to their full-time staff.

Insurance Exchanges

Recently you may have heard the term, Exchange. An Insurance Exchange is nothing new, but is new to the massive numbers of Americans who are unsuccessfully trying to access the Public Exchange to learn about their insurance options under the Affordable Care Act via healthcare.gov. A Public Exchange is run by a State or Federal Government. A Private Exchange is run by a private corporation. An Insurance Exchange is essentially a marketplace where consumers go to evaluate the price, benefits and network of available insurance products from carriers who have agreed to participate on the Exchange. Then, the consumer 16 | FVMA ADVOCATE

is able to buy insurance directly from the exchange, typically as an online purhcase. Only time will tell which insurance carriers can successfully navigate the risk of this new market and the regulations imposed by the Affordable Care Act. More will be discussed on this subject in the future. Now, here is an overview of the healthcare programs and insurance reforms for 2014. This review is meant to be a summary of the provisions and it should not be construed as tax or legal advice. The GameChanger Planning Network is not a legal or accounting firm and does not offer legal or tax advice. Please consult a professional in these fields should you need guidance in those areas.

An Overview of the Affordable Care Act for 2014

Here are fourteen major reform provisions of the Affordable Care Act that you need to know: • The Individual Mandate will require most American’s to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty for not purchasing insurance. This is believed to be the most important component of the law because it requires healthy and previously un-enrolled Americans to be covered, too, which is supposed to make covering anyone with pre-existing condition limitations possible at an affordable premium. Send us an email for more detailed information for the specific penalties. • The Employer Mandate was scheduled to go into effect in 2014, but was delayed until 2015. Similar to the Individual Mandate, this provision requires businesses with 50, or more, employees to offer insurance to their employees, or pay stiff financial penalties. • Coverage of Pre-existing Conditions Required. This is called the “guaranteed issue” provision of the ACA that will require insurance carriers to issue coverage and policies to every eligible person regardless of their medical history or conditions.

• Guaranteed renewability of health insurance is also required. • Federal Premium Subsidies have been established to help consumers and their families purchase individual health insurance policies on their own, unless they qualify for government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, etc. The subsidies are designed to prevent a consumer from paying more than a specified percentage of their income for the purchase of health insurance. The premium tax subsidies apply to individuals or families with incomes from 133% to 400% of the federal poverty level. • New cost-sharing tax subsidies will be made available for families with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level. • Health Insurance Exchanges. New State-Based American Health Benefit Exchanges and Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) became available to consumers in October 2013. Florida does not operate a State Exchange. Consumers, instead, are to use the Federal Exchange or a Private Exchange to shop and compare health insurance plans in their state. • Uniform insurance rating goes into effect. This rating methodology specifies that the only rating factors that may be used to vary premium rates for health insurance coverage in the individual and small group markets are (1) Family size; (2) geographic rating area; (3) age, within a ratio of 3:1 for adults; and (4) tobacco use, within a ratio of 1.5:1. Rates for younger individuals are expected to increase in this model. Rates for older populations are expected to decrease in this model. • Full abolition of annual limits on essential health benefits goes into full effect. • Waiting periods greater than 90 days for employees prohibited. • New essential health benefits package limiting annual cost-sharing to Health Savings Account limits goes into effect. • Minimum medical loss ratio of 85% requirement for Medicare Advantage contracts in force. • Medicaid expansion to individuals not eligible for Medicare with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level. • New temporary reinsurance program goes into effect.

FVMA Practice Owners typically fall into one of the following categories: • A small business that does not want to offer insurance to their employees, period. • A small business that wants to offer insurance to their employees, but is concerned about the cost and lacks the qualified

guidance to offer and administer a successful health plan or other employee benefits solutions. • A small business that is currently offering a “stipend” or insurance reimbursement for coverage purchased on the individual market. • A small business that currently offers insurance to their employees, but needs one of three probable strategies to slow, recoup, or even, fix – yes, I said fix, or cap – the cost of your healthcare program for your employees. This segment may be considering discontinuing offering insurance altogether, or simply needs more innovative solutions to recruit, retain and reward employees, as well as, maximize the practice’s profitability without compromising access to care. Solutions for all four segments exist that: • Can dramatically increase the access and speed to care • Can potentially improve your benefits by reducing outof-pocket expenses at the point-of-service for up to 70% of your care, if not even more • Can potentially decrease, or even, fix, the cost to offer insurance to employees. In the next issue of the FVMA Advocate, we will discuss the solutions that exist in our article entitled, “An Introduction to Innovative Strategies to Win Under the Law Commonly Known as ObamaCare - Alternatives to Traditional Group Health Insurance You Need to Know.” The article will introduce concepts that may be of interest to practice owners that offer, or want to offer, insurance benefits, to employer groups with less than 50 full-time employees. These alternative solutions will very likely be brand new to you, but have been used by a small percentage of forward thinking advisors for years. They offer opportunities to maximize your advantages under the law, while mitigating disadvantages at the same time. In addition to more education, you can look forward to reading about sample employee rates, federal premium subsidy estimates and the resulting “net premiums” that may be cost-shared or paid fully by the employee or practice owner. This will be the choice of the practice owner, not the insurance carrier or the government. With intricate knowledge of the demographics in your practice, these examples will clearly and accurately illustrate the financial advantages to the employee and practice owner in the form of reduced premium liabilities for both parties. The GameChanger Planning Network looks forward to helping you gain more control over the direction of your healthcare strategy.

Resources: The Affordable Care Act, The Kaiser Family Foundation, CIGNA Healthcare and ZaneHealth. David Frank is the founder and president of A. D. Frank & Associates, LLC, d/b/a The GameChanger Planning Network. Mr. Frank has been an Employee Benefits & 401k Consultant since 1998 and an industry professional since 1994. He is a Certified College Planning Relief Specialist and Board Certified Health Coach. The GameChanger Planning Network makes available to the FVMA customizable solutions that have been used by more than 13,000 companies and over 16,000,000 Americans. Any information contained in this article should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Mr. Frank is not an attorney or tax professional. Mr. Frank can be reached by email at davidfrank@gamechangerpn.com. The new website at gamechangerpn.com is scheduled to be operational for January 1, 2014. To request information or additional resources, such as a 6-minute video and a detailed, but concise, 6-page outline of the healthcare reform timeline from 2010 to 2020, please email us with a reference to the FVMA in the Subject Heading with your name and practice name. www.fvma.org | 17

A D UAS ccreditation ! t r e l A

Board of Veterinary Medicine Approves USDA As Automatically Approved CE Provider

he Florid a Board of Veteri nary Medicine has approved the USDA as an automatically approved continuing education provider. The Board made the decision at its September 4, 2013 meet‑ ing held in St. Augustine. The implications of this for Florida veterinar‑ ians is that now, training administered by USDA to licensed veterinarians for USDA accreditation can be counted as part of the 30 hours of CE veterinarians are required to receive in the biennial license renewal cycle.

18 | FVMA ADVOCATE

As an approved CE provider, USDA is now required to provide course completion certificates to veterinarians who complete the USDA modules when they are in the process of accreditation renewal every three years. Completion of the USDA modules can now be counted as part of the 15 hours of non-interactive courses that are permitted in the total 30 hours of continuing education that are required for license renewal.

USDA/APHIS/Veterinary Services

Says Veterinarians Who Need to Know Their Accreditation Dates Should Call the USDA Florida Office

he new National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) has now been in existence since Oct. 1, 2011.

The USDA Florida Office says that currently, 6807 veterinarians in the state are in the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP). Of those there are still hundreds who are “accredited removed” and have not contacted the USDA office. According to the USDA/APHIS/VS in Gainesville, “accredited removed” means that a veterinarian did not elect to participate in the NVAP prior to October 1, 2011, when the new program went into effect. In this status, the agency says, a veterinarian cannot perform any accredited duties. At mid-year, 72 “accredited removed” veterinarians had been informed and were in the process of moving to accredited, and 127 accredited veterinarians were in an “expired” status due to not renewing their accreditation before their renewal date. “Expired” status means a veterinarian did not elect to participate or did not meet the accreditation renewal requirements. In this status a veterinarian also cannot perform any accredited duties.

Automated Accreditation Renewal Process

A recent update from the USDA Florida Office informs that the NVAP has automated the accreditation renewal process for veterinarians. Three (3) e-mail messages are sent out prior to the renewal date to notify veterinarians. Once the renewal process has been completed, another automated e-mail is generated to the veterinarians to notify them of renewal completion. The Office has advised that veterinarians who may not have read their emails and need to know should call the Florida Office at (352) 313-3060 to learn their accreditation dates. There are two steps in the USDA accreditation renewal process. One is doing the required number of modules. And the second is actually submitting the information to NVAP either electronically or by mail. The Office says that email has become an integral part of the USDA accreditation process, and it is therefore very important for veterinarians to update contact information with the USDA. All accredited veterinarians should make sure they update any changes to their information (home, business or e-mail), either electronically or manually, by using the VS 1-36a form, to the USDA office.

Points to RemembeR • Email has become an integral part of the USDA accreditation process. It is therefore very important for veterinarians to update their contact information (home, business and e-mail) with the USDA. • Hundreds of Florida veterinarians were in “accredited removed” status with the USDA at mid-year 2013. • USDA provides supplemental online training (NVAP Training Modules) which is required for accreditation. • Renewal instructions are sent to Florida veterinarians from the Florida office Area Veterinarian-inCharge, USDA, APHIS, VS, 8100 NW 15th Place, Gainesville, FL 32606-9137. • Veterinarians who have not received an email and need to know their accreditation dates should call the USDA Florida office at (352) 313-3060. • Modules completed for accreditation have now been approved as Continuing Education Units that can be used toward Florida Veterinary License Renewal. Please note that only 15 of the 30 required hours for license renewal can be non-interactive courses such as the USDA APHIS training modules. • Your questions on accreditation may be directed to Robert Chadwell at the Florida office at (352) 3133081. • More information about accreditation renewal can be found at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/nvap/ • More information about Florida Veterinary License Renewal can be found at: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/vetm/

www.fvma.org | 19

APPLY TO BE AN AVMA FELLOW! MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

eterinarians and 4th year veterinary students have the opportunity to become a part of a program which will take them to Washington, DC, in service, for the advance‑ ment of the veterinary profession. The program is the AVMA Fellowship Program. It provides fellowships to veterinary professionals to live and work for a year in Washington, as scientific advisor to Congress. This is an excellent opportunity to make a difference and receive in turn, a payout of immeasurably rich dividends. Dr. Richard Smilie, 2011-2012 AVMA Fellow, has been quoted as saying, “The AVMA Congressional Fellowship Program provides a uniquely rich and rewarding professional development experience. It has truly been a transformational experience for me.” Fellowship recipients will network with the country’s decision makers, and advise on policies and legislation that affect animal and human health and veterinary medicine.

As an AVMA Fellow, successful applicants should expect to:

☑ serve for one year in Washington D.C. as scientific advisors to members of Congress.

☑ play pivotal roles in shaping and influencing key legislation

affecting the veterinary profession, and the health and safety of our nation. ☑ receive a stipend of approximately $77,000 to offset the cost of living and reimbursement for certain expenses incurred during the Fellowship. ☑ receive up to $6,000 to offset the cost of health insurance premiums. ☑ represent the veterinary profession in the legislative branch of government. ☑ use science-based decision making in public policy development. ☑ influence important public policy discussions. ☑ network with leaders at the top tier of the federal government.

Applications are due February 14, 2014.

For more information about the AVMA Fellowship Program visit www.avma.org/fellowship. 20 | FVMA ADVOCATE

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www.fvma.org | 23

HIDE YOUR GOAT - Part 6 By STEVE GILLILAND, CSP, CPAE

Discover Your Goat

M Steve Gilliland is one of the most sought-after speakers in the world. His appeal transcends barriers of age, culture and occupation. His book, “Enjoy the Ride,” has been on the publisher’s bestselling list for seven years. Gilliland was named author of the year in 2010 and named to the Speaker Hall of Fame of the National Speakers Association in 2012. For more information about his presentations and resources visit his website at www. stevegilliland.com.

24 | FVMA ADVOCATE

ost of us seem to live our entire lives without truly understanding ourselves. We talk too much, give advice too quickly, get too angry or fail to keep our promises. If we are honest with ourselves, we would admit that sometimes we feel smug over a friend's plight or that we value looks and money over integrity and kindness. We rarely allow ourselves to go much beyond these realizations. Understanding yourself is one of the most important tasks in hiding your goat. A lot of pop psychology says to accentuate the positive and push the negative aside. Unfortunately, without recognizing potential negatives, you can't cast them off. So, as you prepare to hide your goat, it may be helpful to discover your goat by answering the following questions.

Are you a faultfinder?

Critical people can't resist pointing out a problem. Nothing is ever good enough. Faultfinders expect perfectionism in themselves and others. Finding fault or criticizing exposes your goat and almost always derails relationships and drives people away. Criticism does not persuade people to change, even if your criticism is valid. Worse, others will not trust you because they know that, sooner or later, they, too, will fall prey to your criticism. People will put their guard up. Spontaneity will disappear as they carefully choose their words and watch their actions around you. Over time, they won't even want to be with you. Many roads lead to negativity. Sometimes a person is born into a family in which one or both parents are critical. As a result, the child grows up learning to look at the world through a negative lens. People can become faultfinders if they live or work with negative people. If someone around you is pointing out mistakes, flaws and injustices, it's easy to start focusing on mistakes, flaws and injustices yourself. If you think you're too critical a person, change.

Are you a jealous person?

Do you constantly compare, evaluate and feel badly when someone else wins. Jealousy is a flaw we often have difficulty acknowledging in ourselves. Not acknowledging someone else's achievements is one way jealousy rears its ugly head. I still remember the day a committee member informed me that I had been elected to the Speaker Hall of Fame. When I told a fellow speaker, whom I had known for over fourteen years, about the induction, he said, "I've been nominated several times and never got elected. Sounds like you had the right committee voting." Just as you do when herding your goats, you must look inside yourself for the reason you are jealous. The answer is there. Sometimes jealousy arises from insecurity. Eighteenth century scholar and mystic Moshe Luzzatto had great insight on jealousy when he wrote, "The one who envies gains nothing for himself and deprives the one he envies of nothing. There are those who are so foolish that if they perceive their neighbor to possess a certain good, they brood, worry and suffer to the point that their neighbor's good prevents them from enjoying their own."

Do you have to be the center of attention?

People who talk too much are attentioncompetitive. What they are saying is, "Pay attention to me!" Interrupting is another competitive behavior. Some people compete by starting a side conversation. They're proclaiming, "What I have to say is more important than what others have to say." People who seek to be the center of attention are terrible listeners, too. When someone else is talking, their minds wander and they rarely ask questions or contribute a comment.

Are you controlling?

If you don't recognize your own control‑ ling behavior, hiding your goat will be

impossible, leaving it exposed and vul‑ nerable. So how controlling are you?

Do you talk too much? Do you frequently offer unsolicited advice? Do you have trouble apologizing? Do you pout and refuse to talk when you get angry? When you want something done, does it have to be done now? Are you habitually late? Are you often accused of not listening? Do you often finish other people's stories? Do you usually have the last word in an argument?

If you desire good relationships with your fellow workers, your spouse, your children and your friends, discover -and then eliminate -- your controlling behaviors.

Do you get too angry?

You may not like to admit it, but you know if you have an anger problem.

What you may not understand is what drives that anger, its consequences or what you can do to change. How you interpret events in your life could be negative by default, thereby generating your own anger. The people you sur‑ round yourself with can play a signifi‑ cant role in how you interpret certain events as well. Negative people often gravitate toward each other, further fueling the situation. Things not going the way you expect can also ignite your anger by making you feel off balance, threatened, challenged and not in con‑ trol. Maybe the worst byproduct of get‑ ting too angry is that you name-call, exaggerate and become sanctimonious. I once read, "A life not examined is like an unopened letter." Just as it's impossible to reach your destination when you don't know where you are, you can't become who you want to be until you're sure who you are. I chal‑ lenge each of you to take an introspec‑ tive journey. Then change the parts of yourself you don't like and accentuate those you do. Having a clear self-image is essential in relationships, confidence and growth -- and the only way you can hide your goat is to discover it first.

Up Next... Exercise Your Goat Underestimating yourself, minimizing your situation and magical or one-track thinking can conspire to get your goat. These things didn't appear overnight. Part seven of this series will examine the blueprint for self-directed positive action, which begins and ends with understanding what holds you back. It's time to get unstuck and, once and for all, rise above what gets your goat.

www.fvma.org | 25

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS RELIEF VETERINARIANS Available for Relief Work –– Available for relief

work in the State of Florida. Fluent in English and Spanish. Dogs, Cats, Birds, Reptiles, and Pocket Pets. Available for the entire state. Dr. Mena 786-258-2688 docvetmena@gmail.com (Exp. Issue 4/13:2809)

Relief veterinarian –– Base is Lakeland, FL, will travel. 37 years experience in private practice. Good client skills, interests are in cold laser, acupuncture and integrative medicine. Available November 1, 2013 – April 30, 2014. Michael Lifsey, DVM; (517) 803-7737; MLIFE109@yahoo.com. (Exp. Issue 4/13:10738) EXPERIENCED SMALL ANIMAL VETERINARIAN –

Experienced small animal veterinarian willing to serve central Orlando, Daytona, Altamonte, Casselberry, Longwood, Winter Springs and Oviedo areas. Other locations are negotiable. Excellent client communication, compassionate care and respect for your staff are of the utmost importance. Call Tiffany Lewis at 321-332-4949 or email: tlewisdvm@gmail.com. (Exp. Issue 3,4,5/13:10579)

Experienced Small Animal VETERINARIAN– Available anytime, anywhere! R. A. Swiezy, DVM-(772) 418-1939. (Exp. Issue 3,4/13:557) Relief or part-time veterinarian available in the Tampa area – 30 years of

experience as a practice owner. Enjoy surgery and working with people, small animal only. Call Dr. Joe Priest at (813) 230 -5998. (Exp. Issue 5/13:1289)

Practice for Sale SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE–JACKSONVILLE, FL. Thirty two year old small animal practice at the 5 point intersection of Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida, for sale. 7500 sq. ft. building, two story facing two streets, vacant site. Owner is retiring. Call Dr. D. Gopal (904) 786-4919 or gopalanimal5344@att.net (Exp. Issue 4/13:1106)

Associate Needed Small animal practice –– has opening for an associate veterinarian in central Florida. Need a veterinarian with experience that is client oriented. When calling to apply ask for Rhonda 863 859-9485 (Exp. Issue 4 & 5/13:955)

26 | FVMA ADVOCATE

Veterinary Practices For Sale (800) 636-4740 psbroker.com Alabama: Covington County – 3,000 sq. ft. on 1+ acre California: Riverside County – 2,400 sq. ft. on 1/3 acre Florida: Collier County – 1,000 sq. ft. leasehold Florida: Northwest – 3,500 sq. ft. on 1 acre, owner retiring Florida: Palm Beach County – 1,100 sq. ft., upscale clientele Florida: S. Palm Beach County – 3,600 sq. ft., prime location Georgia: Dawson County – 3,200 sq. ft. on 4 acres Maine: York County – 2600 sq. ft. on ½ acre prime real estate Michigan: Bay County – 2,500 sq. ft. on 1/3 acre, good location New York: Onondaga County – ER in Central New York! North Carolina: Piedmont Area – 4,000 sq. ft. freestanding North Carolina: Winston-Salem – 5,500 sq. ft. on nearly ¾ acre Oklahoma: Oklahoma City – 4,500 sq. ft. with real estate Texas: El Paso County – 2,500 sq. ft. on nearly 1 acre Virginia: Central – 3,900 sq. ft. on 1.5+ acres; prime location West Virginia: Cabell County – Busy practice on ¼ acre > Buyer Representation > Seller Representation > Practice Appraisals > Free Non-Binding, Confidential Consultation

Florida Practices for Sale

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PRACTICE OWNERS—We are selling new Florida listings faster than ever and have buyers lined up! If you have any thoughts of selling your practice, contact us today for a free consultation.

ming, or from

Winter Garden. ^11% YTD! Solo dr, SA. No boarding, grooming, or emergencies. Quaint, leased facility centrally located blocks from downtown. $220K. (#FL35G)

ul practice in a $590K gross and real

Panhandle. Enjoy the emerald waters across from this beautiful practice in a highly desirable beach community. No grooming or boarding. $590K gross on a 5 day work week. Affluent clientele. $1.115M for practice and real estate. (#FL30S)

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Polk County. Impeccable 3,000SF facility on busy 4-lane highway. Gross in excess of $2M with continual growth. $2.530M for practice and real estate. (#FL72S)

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Contract Negotiations! N. of New Smyrna. Well-established, leased facility. Impressive equipment. 4.5 day weeks. Low overhead, very profitable—buyer’s income approximately $155K after all other expenses paid. (#FL50A)

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Contract Negotiations! Lakeland, FL. Large, beautiful facility on main artery. $744K gross, solo doctor, no emergencies, minimal grooming and OTC. Open 5.5 days per week. Plenty of room for multiple doctors and revenue growth! (#FL23D)

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SOLD! Congratulations to Dr. Shane Henry on the sale of his practices, Lake Area Animal Hospital of Melrose & Hawthorne to Dr. Amber Rea! BUYERS—If you have a practice in mind that you may like to purchase, we can help you, too! Contact us for a complimentary consultation to learn how. Also, visit our new website to be added to our buyer database and to view all listings nationwide.

1610 Frederica Road * Saint Simons Island, GA 31522 Toll Free: 800.333.1984 * www.simmonsinc.com Email: southeast@simmonsinc.com

Florida Practice Listings! FREE PRACTICE CONSULTATION N. Central Florida 3 Dr. prx grossing $2milion 6800SF lease space. Well est, nicely equipped & fully trained staff. New! North Florida Tired of rat race? Charming town,solo dr SA prx gross $730K. This may be the perfect fit! Prx & RE Coastal Panhandle-Est prx w satellite. 2013 projected Gross over $1mm & growing! New equip & digital xray, solid staff. New! Treasure Coast Desirable location, 1 Dr. SA,well est. If you like the beach life this is for you. SOLD!Eastern Panhandle Solo Prx, 5000SF facility on 4 lane. Exp, dedicated staff. 2012 gross $560K.Prx & RE available. Fort Lauderdale-First 3 months Free Rent! 2500SF lease space next to busy grooming school, ready for Dr.! Call us for Valuations...Buyer Representation & Start-ups too.

Contact Dr. Richard Alker for further practice information.

850.814.9962 or Richard@tpsgsales.com Showcase Properties of Central Florida, Broker

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

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Florida Veterinary Medical Association 7207 Monetary Drive Orlando, FL 32809

It’s the procedure you perform only once in your career. So it’s important to have the right people by your side. You wouldn’t walk into a complicated surgery without an expert team, so why do it for this once-in-a-lifetime event? Buying or selling a practice is the largest financial transaction of your life. That’s why you should partner with Simmons. As the most experienced brokerage firm in the business, we’ve helped more veterinarians realize their dream than any other firm out there. In fact, we wrote the book on it.

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