2023 Fall Town & Country Call Newsletter

TOWN&COUNTRYCALL

OFFICERS

TOWN & COUNTRY CALL

VirginiaVeterinary MedicalAssociation

3801WesterreParkway,SuiteD Henrico,VA23233

(P)804-346-2611 (F)804-346-2655

(E)info@vvma.org

(W)wwwvvmaorg

submission deadline

Thedeadlineforreceiptofcopy

tobeincludedinthenextissue ofTown&CountryCallis:

November 27, 2023

MEMBERASSISTANCEPROGRAM &WORK-LIFESERVICES

TheVVMAhaspartneredwithMcLaughlinYoungandoffersawonderfulbenefit forVVMAmembers.TheMemberAssistanceProgram&Work-LifeServicesare availabletoVVMAmembersandtheirimmediatefamily.

ReasonstousetheMAPinclude:financialplanning,maritaldifficulties, parenting,stress,depression,work-relatedconcerns,alcoholanddrug use/abuse,griefandloss,orpreventative.

FREEANDCONFIDENTIALASSISTANCE

isavailable24/7/365at800-633-3353

NationalSuicide PreventionLifeline

1-800-273-8255

Nomatterwhatproblemsyouare dealingwith,TheNationalSuicide PreventionLifelinewantstohelpyou findareasontokeepliving.By calling,you’llbeconnectedtoa skilled,trainedcounseloratacrisis centerinyourarea,anytime24/7.

Yourcallisconfidentialandfree

1-540-231-6557

Ifyouareconcernedaboutyourself oranyVirginiaTechstudentbeing(or becoming)suicidal,pleasecallthe CookCounselingCenter.This numbercanbeusedduringregular officehoursorafter-hourstospeak withacounselor.

Publicationofmaterialsinthisnewsletterdoes notimplyendorsementbytheVirginiaVeterinaryMedicalAssociation.

LaurenMaxey,DVM President

NathanielBurke,DVM

President-Elect

BrianNeumann,DVM Vice President

CourtneyConroy,DVM

Secretary-Treasurer

MartinBetts,DVM

Immediate Past President

DIRECTORS

RebeccaBeamer,DVM

Southwest VA & VASART

AbbegailBingaman,DVM

Northern VA

LauraChretien,DVM

Fredericksburg

EdwardFallin,DVM

Central

SherriGard,DVM VAEP

BomHarris,DVM

VAFAP

ChristopherHussion,DVM

Loudoun

CourtneyWiegard,DVM

Roanoke Valley

JosephMay,DVM

Southside VMA

StuartMorse,DVM

Prince William

RachaelNuzzo,DVM

Shenandoah

AshleyPowell,DVM

Coastal

CherylSimpson-Freeman,DVM

Piedmont

AllisonSparks,DVM

Appalachian Jamie Stewart, DVM

At-Large

BretVanLear,DVM

Blue Ridge

GarrettWood,DVM

Jefferson

VirginiaNewman Student Representative

AVMAREPRESENTATIVES

DiannaThornton,DVM

Delegate

LaurenMaxey,DVM

Alternate Delegate

President's LAURENMAXEY,DVM

Message

HappyFall!

Ihopeeveryoneenjoyedtheirsummerandiswelcomingthetransitiontochillier weather.

VVMAappreciatestheopportunitytopartnerwithVA-MDCollegeofVeterinary Medicineinmanyways.InAugust,Ihadthepleasureofdistributingstethoscopes totheincomingveterinaryClassof2027alongsideDr.BillTyrrell,apastpresident ofVVMA.Thestudentsweresothankfulandwereexcitedtousethestethoscopesin theirupcominglabsandclinics.We’regratefulforourfellowstethoscopesponsors: CVCACardiacCareforPets,WestVirginiaVMAandVA-MDCVMAcademicAffairs.

ThispastweekendwasMentorDayandConnect2023.Italsohappenedtobemy 10-yearanniversaryandIreallyenjoyedseeingmy2013classmatesthere!Mentor Dayisoneofmyfavoriteeventsasitisawaytogivebacktotheveterinaryschool andsupportourstudents.Ifyouwereunabletoattendthisyear,pleaseconsider joiningusin2024.Thestudentsarealwayssoappreciative,andtheactivitiesand roundtablesarealwaysenjoyable.

Anotherwayyoucansupporttheveterinarystudentsisthroughthenewly established,completelydonorfunded,VMCVMDVMStudentEmergencyFund. Thefunddistributesmonetaryaidtostudentsinimmediatefinancialneed.

InJanuary,wewillholdourannualDayattheCapitolinRichmond,VAwherewe willdiscussproposedlegislationthataffectsveterinarymedicineinVirginia.Event detailsarestillbeingfinalizedandwillbesharedinearlyNovember!

Whileit’shardtobelieve,we’reonlyafewmonthsawayfromourannualVirginia VeterinaryConferencewhichwillbeheldFebruary22-24,2024atthehistoric HotelRoanoke&ConferenceCenter. OnFridayevening,wewillholdourVirginia VeterinaryAwardsBanquet. Awardnominationsarenowopen!Pleasetakethe timetonominateaveterinarian,staffmember,friendoftheVVMA,industry representativeoranimalherofortheseawards.Weloverecognizingourcolleagues andcelebratingtheirachievementsandcontributionstotheveterinaryprofession.

Ihopetoseemanyofyouatourupcomingevents!

DVM Student DVM Student

Emergency Fund Emergency Fund

Thanks to generous donations from the community, the VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine can now offer additional financial assistance to DVM students who find themselves in immediate financial need, due to no fault of their own.

It's an unfortunate reality that students sometimes find themselves experiencing the possibility of eviction or food insecurity because of unforeseen life events, but VA-MD CVM is dedicated to ensuring they do everything they can to support students during their time in vet school. Many thanks to the donors who contribute to this and make this support a reality.

Support the DVM Student Emergency Fund

Support the DVM Student Emergency Fund

You can make a difference in a DVM student’s life in immediate financial need a with gift today. This program is completely donor funded, so every donation make a huge difference. Each gift gets us one step closer to ensuring security for all our students.

If you’d prefer to make your gift by mail, please follow the below instructions:

Make the check out the ‘Virginia Tech Foundation’

In the memo line, write ‘DVM Student Emergency Fund’

Mail the check to:

Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Attn: Maggie Meikle

215 Duck Pond Drive, Suite 2002

Blacksburg, VA 24061

For any questions on how to make a gift, please contact Maggie Meikle (mjmeikle@vt edu), associate director of development, or another member of the VA-MD CVM development team.

CUSTOMERSERVICE& EMOTIONALRESILIENCE

Emotional resilience as it applies to customer service is the ability to cope with, adapt to, or bounce back from the challenges of difficult customer interactions. Build these resilience skills by 1) practicing asking yourself “What am I feeling right now?” This simple exercise creates reflexes for self-awareness and allows you to choose your reaction to inordinate stress. 2) Discover and then implement mini strategies to calm yourself when you are under stress. (Your MAP can help.) 3) Maintain a social support network that you can turn to when things do get tough. 4) Be optimistic and believe you can master the customer service challenge. It’s a special job that imparts tremendous skills you’ll apply throughout your life.

POWEROF “AUTHENTICITY”ATWORK

Authentic employees use an honest, transparent, no-façade approach to interactions with others at work. If that sounds like you, then others find you easy to be around because your genuineness makes them feel safe and prompts their desire to also be authentic. Authentic employees are more willing to show their true emotions and admit mistakes. Their communication style helps eliminate misunderstandings, miscommunication, and the hidden agendas that create conflict at work. Obviously, the payoffs for being authentic are greater job satisfaction, less stress, and more camaraderie with coworkers. This is why authentic employees are often held up as role models. Authenticity can be a bit risky. Showing honesty and vulnerability can expose you to criticism by some, but the productivity payoffs and being a happier worker are worth it. Ultimately, authenticity makes you stand out and appear more valuable, and it improves your career prospects

MENTALHEALTHRISKATWORK

Like physical risk, psychological risk can also exist at work. These types of risks include unresolved conflicts, isolation, overwork, lack of work-life balance, and even an unclear job role. Not all hazards have easy answers, but many do, and your MAP is ready to help by working with you to find the right intervention strategy. Making the necessary changes can lead to a workplace that offers a sense of purpose and an opportunity for positive relationships. The United Nations has a strong interest in workplace mental health and has offered a researchbased list of mental health hazards at work. And turn to your MAP for help intervening in risks that affect you.

connect with colleagues & vendors and Earn up to 15 CE hours!

CE Tracks include:

Small Animal I

Small Animal II

Equine

Food Animal Technician

Public Practice (Friday only)

FEBRUARY16-18,2024

HOTELROANOKE&CONFERENCECENTER

REGISTRATIONOPENSINMIDNOVEMBER!

We are excited to share the release of "Driving Home Naked: And Other Misadventures of a Country Veterinarian" written by VVMA Past President, Dr. Melinda McCall!

Buckle up for a wild ride with Dr. Melinda as she takes you along on her adventures as a large animal veterinarian in rural Virginia. No two days are alike as she skillfully deals with the antics of both animals and humans with humor and grit.

More information on Dr. McCall and her books can be found below on her website. Congratulations Dr. McCall!

Welcome to the VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2027!

In August, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed the newest class of future veterinarians. To help celebrate the Class of 2027, VVMA President, Dr. Lauren Maxey and VVMA Past President, and Co-Chief Medical Officer for CVCA: Cardiac Care for Pets, Dr. Bill Tyrrell, attended the Stethoscope Ceremony in Blacksburg, held on August 16th.

Supported by the VA-MD CVM, CVCA: Cardiac Care for Pets, the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, and the West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, the stethoscopes serve as a symbol of reminding us of the origins of this great profession, as well as how far we have come.

2024 Virginia Veterinary Awards

Each year, the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the profession of veterinary medicine Selected recipients will be recognized at the Virginia Veterinary Awards Ceremony on Friday, February 23 in Roanoke, VA.

Please submit before DECEMBER 5, 2023

TO SUBMIT AN ONLINE NOMINATION, VISIT WWW.VVMA.ORG/VAVETAWARDS

Paul F. Landis Veterinarian of the Year

(In memory of Dr Paul Landis who served as VVMA President, 1965-1966 and AVMA President, 1982-1983 ) This is the highest VVMA award, recognizing a member of the association who has contributed to the advancement of veterinary medicine. Veterinarians who have exerted outstanding leadership in the building of a strong local and/or state association and who have contributed significantly to veterinary medicine in

Virginia

Recent Graduate Leadership Award

Nominee must be a recent graduate and a member of the VVMA Nominees should have made contributions to the profession through service to the association, such as service on a committee

Veterinary Team Member

of the Year

Nominees should be individuals who, by their actions, bring recognition to veterinary medicine in Virginia Also, nominees should be outstanding community leaders. For example, an individual might be considered for outstanding work with the Special Olympics or other community projects

Distinguished Virginia Veterinarian Award Veterinary Service Award

This award is designed to honor an individual who has been an excellent representative of the profession through active community involvement and/or veterinary service. This includes involvement in veterinary and/or non-veterinary groups and associations.

Friend of the VVMA

This award is given to a non-veterinarian who is being recognized for outstanding contributions to the profession of veterinary medicine in Virginia

This award was created to recognize and honor the outstanding contributions and dedication by a nonveterinarian, staff member in the practice The selected person goes above and beyond expectations in their role and has shown professional dedication to their work and/or has supported the practice’s mission through service contributions.

Commercial Representative Award Animal Hero Award

This award is given to a representative from a company that provides outstanding service to Virginia veterinarians. Also, the representative should promote the profession through liaisons with the association, veterinarians, and the profession in general

This award is presented to an animal that has performed an individual act of service or heroism, or in performing his or her daily duties, has provided such an outstanding service to humans that he would qualify as an Animal Hero.

RELIEF VETERINARIANS

Kim

Danoff, DVM

Available weekdays & weekends. 1999 UF Grad; Internship trained at Tufts. Dogs, cats, birds, and some exotics. Northern Virginia, Prince William, Loudoun, & Fauquier Counties

Current Virginia & DEA Licenses

571-212-5024 | kimdanoff@gmail com

Matthew W. Kelcourse,

DVM

Southeastern VA/Hampton Roads 1992 Tufts Graduate Experience in: general/preventive medicine & routine surgery and complicated soft tissue & orthopedic surgery, Virginia & DEA license.

Mon – Sat: 6 to 9 hour shifts. Long-term (2-3 weeks): considered; based on availability & location

941-416-8992 | vvrs2020@yahoo com

James D. Meister, DVM

Available 7 days/week for short or long term in the Shenandoah Valley Available for both small animal or equine work Private practitioner for 25 years. NC State graduate. I hold Virginia, USDA and DEA licenses.

847-344-0069 | prairiedvm@aol com

Tosha Starke, DVM

12 years in practice. Personable; Available Monday-Saturday in Northern VA; Current DEA license; Licensed in VA; Professional references available; www allfourpawsvetrelief com

(540) 239-8714 | info@allfourpawsvetrelief.com

Katrina (Kitti) Tadema-Wielandt, DVM

Waynesboro & 100 mile radius; Available for long and short term relief; 20+ years experience in small animal medicine including emergency

(540) 943-5731 | 1987uivet@gmail com

FREEVVMAMemberBenefit