VIRGINIA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION // SPRING 2022
TOWN &COUNTRY CALL
2022 VIRGINIA VETERINARY AWARD RECIPIENTS - 05 2022-2023 VVMA OFFICERS - 09 LEGISLATION UPDATE - 10 2022 VMF RESEARCH PROJECTS - 15
TOWN & COUNTRY CALL O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C A T I O N
Virginia Veterinary Medical Association 3801 Westerre Parkway, Suite D | Henrico, VA 23233 (P) 804-346-2611 (F) 804-346-2655 (E) info@vvma.org (W) www.vvma.org
vvma staff Robin Schmitz
Executive Director
Talya George
Associate Director
Victoria Staples
Association Coordinator
submission deadline
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OFFICERS Martin Betts, DVM President
Lauren Maxey, DVM President-Elect
Nathaniel Burke, DVM Vice President
Brian Neumann, DVM
The deadline for receipt of copy to be included in the next issue of Town & Country Call is:
Immediate Past President
June 3, 2022
DIRECTORS
Secretary-Treasurer
Terry Swecker, DVM
Rebecca Beamer, DVM Southwest VA
MEMBER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM & WORK-LIFE SERVICES
Abbegail Bingaman, DVM
The VVMA has partnered with McLaughlin Young and offers a wonderful benefit for VVMA members. The Member Assistance Program & Work-Life Services are available to VVMA members and their immediate family.
Laura Chretien, DVM
Reasons to use the MAP include: financial planning, marital difficulties, parenting, stress, depression, work-related concerns, alcohol and drug use/abuse, grief and loss, or preventative.
FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL ASSISTANCE is available 24/7/365 at 800-633-3353
No matter what problems you are dealing with, The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline wants to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling, you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7. Your call is confidential and free.
Fredericksburg
Courtney Conroy, DVM At-Large
Edward Fallin, DVM Central
Sherri Gard, DVM VAEP
Bom Harris, DVM
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Northern VA
VAFAP
STUDENTS 1-540-231-6557
If you are concerned about yourself or any Virginia Tech student being (or becoming) suicidal, please call the Cook Counseling Center . This number can be used during regular office hours or after-hours to speak with a counselor.
Publication of materials in this newsletter does not imply endorsement by the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association.
Christopher Hussion, DVM Loudoun
OPEN POSITION Roanoke Valley
Joseph May, DVM Southside VMA
Stuart Morse, DVM Prince William
Rachael Nuzzo, DVM Shenandoah
Ashley Powell, DVM Coastal
Peggy Rucker, DVM Appalachian
Cheryl Simpson-Freeman, DVM Piedmont
Samuel Tate, DVM VASART Bret VanLear, DVM Blue Ridge
Cassie Wagner, DVM At-Large
Garrett Wood, DVM Jefferson
Jennifer Kelleher Student Representative
AVMA REPRESENTATIVES Erin Casey, DVM Delegate
Dianna Thornton, DVM Alternate Delegate
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE MARTY BETTS, DVM Dear Colleagues, I hope that all of you are doing well and navigating our emergence from the COVID pandemic well. Our first in-person annual conference since the start of the pandemic was recently held at the Hotel Roanoke and was an impressive success. Attendance was down only slightly compared to the meeting in February of 2020. All tracks featured a nice variety of topics delivered by excellent speakers. All in attendance received quality continuing education at a very nice venue and were once again able to visit with colleagues in person. We still face a significant challenge in bringing diversity to our profession and to make a degree in veterinary medicine affordable to all qualified applicants. The growing student debt burden will make our profession impossible for persons of limited means if we fail to help find solutions to this problem. To that end, the VVMA was able to fund an endowed scholarship. We achieved the endowment goal last summer but to make this effort more meaningful it needs to grow. Please consider making a tax deductible contribution to the VVMA, Keith de la Cruz Memorial Scholarship Fund at Virginia Tech. While the COVID pandemic has left most of us financially unscathed, it has brought with it a number of changes that have been difficult to manage. This has led to significant mental health challenges for many of our members. Several years ago, the VVMA developed and funded a mental health assistance program. This program is free to our members and has been used every year since its inception by a number of people in need of assistance. We are working with McLaughlin Young Group to expand our initiative to include other staff members on a VVMA member’s veterinary care team. Please keep an eye out for additional information coming in the near future. VVMA Legislative Chair, Dr. Jason Bollenbeck has been instrumental in the newly passed veterinary sales tax exemption legislation. As many of you are already aware, veterinarians are currently required to pay sales tax on prescription drugs that we purchase. We are the only licensed medical professional required to do so, which places us at a significant competitive disadvantage. On the advice of our legislative consultant, Susan Seward, we enlisted the services of lobbying group, The Vectre Corporation, to help keep this legislation moving through a very complicated process. Governor Younkin signed the bills on Friday, March 18. This legislation will become effective July 1, 2022. Please see page 19 for a veterinary sales tax FAQ sheet. The VVMA is here to be of assistance to all of our members in any way that we can. Please feel free to reach out to us with your concerns. Sincerely,
Marty Betts, D.V.M.
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2022
virginia veterinary awards Mentor of the Year
Paul F. Landis Veterinarian of the Year
Veterinary Service
(L) Dr. Anne Bazilwich with her mentee, Kayla Elam
(L) Dr. Jason Bollenbeck
(R) Dr. Heather Jenkins-Brazzell
Distinguished Virginia Veterinarian
Recent Graduate Leadership
(L) Dr. Maureen Ward
(R) Dr. Courtney Conroy
Friend of the VVMA
(L) Tim McKissick
Commercial Representative
(R) Dr. Kitty Meyers Boehringer-Ingelheim
Animal Hero
"Sugarfoot"
Veterinary Team Member
(L) Jane Naramore, LVT
Congratulations to our recipients!
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Supporting Mental Health in Your Practice: Awareness, Boundaries & Culture VVMA members Dr. Melanie Walters & Dr. Brittany Beckner share their insight on mental health in the veterinary practice.
Veterinarians take a vow to protect animal health and welfare and to prevent animal suffering. And they do so willingly, humbly and compassionately, often going above and beyond to do whatever is necessary for an animal. But is that taking a human toll? Compassion fatigue is real, and veterinary practices are increasingly recognizing the need to encourage a cultural standard of collaboration, support, encouragement, and recognition of the emotional well-being of their veterinarians and staffs. Dr. Melanie Walters and Dr. Brittany Beckner of Companion Animal Clinic, a VetEvolve practice in Blacksburg, make mental health a priority at their clinic.
Dr. Melanie Walters
Dr. Brittany Beckner
“Positive mental health plays a factor into every week, every day and every appointment,” says Walters. “When the veterinary team is happy, then patient care, client communication and the bottom line improve. We will always try to do our best for patients and routinely put ourselves second. But I am seeing veterinarians start to recognize their limit and voice it.” Beckner adds, “With busier schedules, demanding clients and workforce staffing challenges, the trend of feeling overworked and underappreciated is high. As a profession, we are more aware of these issues, and mental health has become more readily and easily discussed.” In fact, Beckner recognizes her own limitations. “I want to be practicing veterinary medicine 20 years from now. To be able to do that, I have to set limits to mitigate and
manage current stress and expectations.” The practice has introduced several programs through VetEvolve’s “Happy Starts Here” initiative. These include a mentormentee program that emphasizes mental health awareness and improvement and the Betterinary Series – webinars focused on well-being. In addition, a series of lunchbreak classes focus on stressmanagement techniques, including yoga and Tai Chi Easy. Yet mental health awareness often comes down to everyday basics, the doctors agree. “Prioritizing lunch breaks, encouraging leaving scheduled shifts on-time, and verbal affirmation are a few important things that we do with our team,” says Beckner. “We highly encourage all employees to use their annual vacation time out of the office, not to come in on their days off, and to establish enjoyable interests outside work.” Walters adds, “My personal stress relief comes from being outside on our farm with my husband and children. When we are all together, everything else is put into perspective. I am not thinking about that case that could have gone better or that client who was upset even though we did everything right.” But what do they suggest when the stress seems to become just too much? If it’s a momentary situation, “Take five minutes and go outside,” Walters suggests. “Focus on your breathing and return with a clear mind and a plan. Unless the patient is truly critical, there is time for you to decompress.” If it’s more than that, Beckner advises, “Take a break –don’t forget to take vacations. Getting time to relax and recharge is an important part of every career but is especially needed in the veterinary career. We must put ourselves first and take a little hit in the short-term to ensure more of us are here in the long-term.”
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2022-2023 VVMA OFFICERS PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT-ELECT
VICE PRESIDENT
MARTY BETTS, DVM
LAUREN MAXEY, DVM
NATHANIEL BURKE, DVM
SECRETARY-TREASURER
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
BRIAN NEUMANN, DVM
TERRY SWECKER, DVM
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Summary The 2022 General Assembly adjourned Saturday, March 12, 2022, without a budget. Governor Glenn Younkin has indicated that House and Senate budget conferees will continue to work on resolving differences and then he will call back the General Assembly for a special session to address bills that remain, including the budget. In addition – the Department of Labor & Industry (DOLI) held a public hearing regarding the COVID-19 Regulations on March 14th. On the following Monday, the DOLI met and decided there is no longer a constitutional need for the COVID-19 workplace safety regulations, therefore, the board voted to revoke the regulations effective Wednesday, March 23, 2022 upon expected publication, on March 22nd, in a paper of general circulation, the Richmond Times Dispatch. Veterinary Sales Tax Exemption VVMA’s top priority, extending the current sales and use tax exemption for human prescriptions to veterinarians, passed the 2022 Virginia General Assembly and was officially signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin on Friday, March 18 and will be effective as July 1, 2022. This legislation exempting veterinarians from sales and use tax on prescription medicines and drugs that are administered or dispensed to patients within a veterinarian-client-patient relationship places veterinary clinics on a level playing field with pharmacies that dispense that for humans. Current policy includes not only prescription medicines but prescription diets as well. Our thanks to Delegate Don Scott and Senator Louise Lucas for ushering through HB 551 and SB 517. Stay tuned-- VVMA will be sending additional information to the membership soon. Dog and Cat Breeding Regulations A focus of the special agriculture committees in the House and Senate on companion animals were bills addressing the Envigo Facility in Cumberland County, which failed recent USDA inspections. VVMA engaged on a variety of pieces of legislation sponsored by Delegates Rob Bell, Irene Shin, Kaye Kory, Shelly Simonds and Senators Bill Stanley, Dave Marsden, and Jennifer Boysko. While each bill took a unique perspective from regulating the procurement of dogs and cats for research; categorizing the dogs and cats raised for experimental purposes as companion animals; creating an animal welfare oversight officer; and addressing animal cruelty penalties for the treatment of companion animals. In the end, legislation was passed to require Envigo to pass USDA inspections without critical violations between now and July 1, 2023. If it were to incur critical violations, it would not be able to sell dogs or cats for experimental purposes; it also requires increased record keeping and making animals available for adoption. In fact, dogs have already been adopted and continue to be put up for adoption. VVMA is pleased that a meaningful solution was passed by the General Assembly and urges the timely signature of this legislation by Governor Glenn Younkin. Vaccination Another proposed bill of interest to VVMA membership was HB 1074 by Delegate Leftwich, which would have required a second pathway to allow the owner of a dog an exemption to the rabies vaccination if the dog received a titer test. The VVMA’s objection to this legislation is two-fold; first – currently an exemption exists for the rabies vaccination; second the titer test is not proven to provide the information to protect the dog or other dogs, or humans who might be exposed to rabies. Our thanks to Delegate Leftwich for continuing this discussion to ensure health and welfare. In addition, a special thanks to Dr. Kelly Gottschalk for coming to committee and meeting with the delegate to further explain our objections. Zoos This session, we also saw the reintroduction of “the zoo bill,” HB 53, introduced again this year by Delegate Ronnie Campbell. This legislation sought to address the seizure of zoo animals from facilities in Delegate Campbell’s district. VVMA opposed the legislation as introduced, because it lowered the standard for seizure from “reasonable” to “probable” cause. As amended, we supported the legislation because it listed zoo animals in the long-standing section of the Code delineating the seizure process and did not lower the threshold from reasonable to probable cause. The legislation did not pass the Senate Companion Animal Subcommittee; however, Chairman Marsden sent a letter to the State Veterinarian to examine this issue in the coming year.
Submitted by VVMA Legislative Consultant, Katie Hellebush
see page 19 for sales tax FAQs!
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T H A N K
Y O U
2022 VVC SPONSORS
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
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May 10
7:00-9:00pm Infectious Disease Prevention FAQ Dr. Mike Lappin
August 23 6:30-7:30pm DEA and BoVM Speakers
Sept/Oct TBD
Dermatology
VVMA dates Additional details will be in VVMA's Friday Email Updates
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meet the 2022 doctors in the
Paige Bornkamp Old Mill Veterinary Hospital Leesburg, VA
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Jessica Silberberg Great Neck Veterinary Clinic Virginia Beach, VA
Ashley Cundiff Bedford Animal Hospital Bedford, VA
Emily Suess-Radford CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets Leesburg, VA
Holly Loeffler Caring Hands Animal Hospital Falls Church, VA
Maura Wade Towne Animal Clinic Leesburg, VA
Heidi Macey Banfield Pet Hospital Leesburg, VA
Jamie Stewart VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine Blacksburg, VA
Kimberly Madigan Herndon Animal Medical Center Herndon, VA
Kayle Plummer Dulles South Veterinary Center South Riding, VA
Amber Roudette Charlottesville Veterinary Hospital Charlottesville, VA (C) 804-467-6050
Facilitating Veterinarians Courtney Conroy Clevengers Corner Veterinary Care Amissville, VA
Brian Neumann Caring Hands Animal Hospital Alexandria, VA
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2021-2022 Veterinary Memorial Fund Research Projects Lead Investigator: Dervisis, Nick | Proposal Amount: $18,090 Study Title: High-Frequency Irreversible Electroporation (H-FIRE) for the treatment of metastatic liver disease Purpose: To further characterize the safety and efficacy of High-Frequency Irreversible Electroporation (H-FIRE) in the treatment canine liver tumors Lead Investigator: Menciotti, Giulio | Proposal Amount: $19,750 Study Title: Three-dimensional echocardiographic morphologic analysis of the mitral valve in growing Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) Purpose: To monitor the mitral valve structure of CKCS puppies throughout growth into adulthood, and to compare their valve structure to that of puppies of other breeds Lead Investigator: Grant, David | Proposal Amount: $12,128 Study Title: Use of a point-of-care urine dipstick for detection of bacteriuria in large cohort of dogs with clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease. Purpose: To further validate a new in-clinic test for detecting urinary tract infections in dogs Lead Investigator: Klahn, Shawna | Proposal Amount: $20,000 Study Title: Shall we THOP into remission? Evaluating efficacy and safety of a novel chemotherapy protocol consisting of temozolomide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and prednisone in dogs with treatment-naïve B-cell lymphoma Purpose: To test the efficacy and safety of a novel chemotherapy protocol in dogs with newly-diagnosed B-cell lymphoma Lead Investigator: Paranjape, Vaidehi | Proposal Amount: $16,300 Study Title: Clinical investigation of a modified passive leg raise maneuver in anesthetized dogs during spontaneous hypotension Purpose: To test whether changing leg position of anesthetized dogs can help address episodes of low blood pressure Lead Investigator: Shinn, Richard | Proposal Amount: $20,000 Study Title: Spinal Cord Toolbox Atlas for Dogs Purpose: To create a resource for characterizing the complete neural structures of canine spinal cords for uses such as neurosurgical planning, neurological localization, and mapping Lead Investigator: Sawyere, Dominique | Proposal Amount: $19,920 Study Title: Effect of bead size and drug concentration on in vitro elution of antibiotic impregnated calcium sulfate beads Purpose: To refine our understanding of the behavior of antibiotic-impregnanted calcium sulfate beads, which are used at surgical sites to prevent post-surgical infections
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Click below to view; Classifieds and Advertising Information may be found at www.vvma.org/advertising
VETERINARIAN
classifieds
ADMINISTRATOR
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FOR SALE/LEASE
LVTS & ASSISTANTS
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VVMA members may continue posting ads, free of charge. Classified ads are $145.00 per 200-word ad for non-members.
RELIEF VETERINARIANS Deann Ashby-Mitchell, DVM Licensed to practice in VA & WV; Available: Tue-Sat, regular working hours. 70 miles from Bluemont, VA. 9 yrs. of experience. USDA accredited, good productivity, huge believer in effective client communication, DEA licensed. 352-871-7776 | ashbyvet@gmail.com
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
Kaitlyn E Hemsley, DVM, CVA *Willing to travel; Virginia & DEA license in good standing; Available weekdays for General Practices; Available 7 days/week, including overnights, for emergency facilities; Long-term (2-3 weeks): considered (based on availability and location); 8 years total experience with 5 years experience working as a relief vet in both General Practice and Emergency 804-452-7982 | reliefdvm@housecallvetrva.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
Karoline M. Roderer, DVM My goal is to seamlessly provide care to your patients as though you were providing the care yourself. University of Illinois (DVM, 2014; Virginia license, DEA license; USDA certification Available for outpatient relief for general practice (dogs/cats). Online booking available. www.rodererveterinaryrelief.com (847) 902-1045 | info@rodererveterinaryrelief.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
Katrin Ventocilla Robinson, DVM 2008 Graduate, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima-Peru. Worked 3 years as Head LVT prior to ECFVG certification as a US DVM in 2016. Experienced working in a fast pace small animal practice in Northern VA. Fluent in Spanish & German. Current VA and DEA License. USDA Accredited. 571-839-3971 | katrinventocilladvm@gmail.com
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Veterinary Sales Tax Exemption FAQs HB 551 and SB 517 exempt veterinarians from sales and use tax on the purchase of prescription medicines and drugs that are administered or dispensed to patients within a veterinarian-clientpatient relationship (VCPR). This legislation, brought forth by the VVMA, repeals provisions of current law that provide that a veterinarian dispensing or selling medicines or drugs on prescription shall be deemed to be the user or consumer of all such medicines and drugs.
Virginia governor signs VETERINARY SALE TAX EXEMPTION
effective July 1, 2022
What does this mean to your practice? This new law will mean more equity for veterinarians. It exempts veterinarians from paying and charging sales tax on schedule II-VI medications. Human pharmacies filling these same medications for pets, are already exempt. The Virginia Department of Taxation will add this to their list of sales tax exemptions once the legislation goes into effect July 1, 2022. When does this take effect? Beginning July 1, 2022 prescription medicines and drugs purchased by veterinarians and administered or dispensed to patients within a veterinarian-client-patient relationship as defined in § 54.1-330 will not be subject to sales tax. What is the difference between “use tax” and “retail sales tax”? “Use tax” is the tax currently paid to the vendor or distributor when you purchase prescription drugs or prescription pet food for administration or dispensing to patients. “Retail sales tax” is the tax you charge clients for retail or over-the-counter products, food or drugs that are not prescription. What drugs or food are considered prescription medications and therefore are exempt from use or retail sales tax? All schedule II-VI drugs (drugs that require a prescription by law (FDA)) are exempt from tax and this includes oral flea and tick medication. Similarly, prescription pet foods are currently treated as prescription medication by Virginia Department of Taxation. Since they require a prescription, they would also be exempt from tax. When do we charge clients “retail sales tax” for medications/drugs or food? Veterinarians are required to charge clients retail sales tax on all drugs/medications and non-prescription pet foods that can be purchased over-the-counter. For example, this includes nutraceuticals like joint supplements and probiotics as well as EPA regulated flea and tick medications like Frontline and Vectra. Currently Virginia TAX treats medicated shampoos as prescription even though they are not FDA regulated. The general rule of thumb is if you can buy it at Walmart or Amazon without a prescription then you need to charge retail sales tax. Advise your colleagues and clients of this change in law! Let your clients know of the savings they will receive when filling prescriptions with your practice.
Make sure your colleagues know of the magnificent work VVMA is doing day in and day out before the VA General Assembly, saving an estimated $7.6 million in 2022 for patients and their owners by extending this benefit to cover domestic animals – a fraction of the human medical prescription drug tax exemption of $494 million! Veterinarians should also make note to update their systems for billing and look for updated guidance from the Virginia Department of Taxation closer to the effective dates of July 1, 2022.
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e m M b A er Benefit M V V E E R F
VIRGINIA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION // SPRING 2022
TOWN &COUNTRY CALL
