VIRGINIA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION // SUMMER 2021
TOWN &COUNTRY CALL
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS - 04 & 12 MENTOR PROGRAM- 06 VA VETERINARY AWARD RECIPIENTS - 07 2021 VVC ON DEMAND - 10
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
submission deadline
PAGE 02
OFFICERS
Terry Swecker, DVM President
Martin Betts, DVM President-Elect
Lauren Maxey, DVM Vice President
Brian Neumann, DVM
Caroline Bryan
The deadline for receipt of copy to be included in the next issue of Town & Country Call is:
Immediate Past President
Victoria Staples
September 2, 2021
DIRECTORS
Talya George
Associate Director Administrative Coordinator Association Coordinator
Secretary-Treasurer
Jay Margolis, 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.
Nathaniel Burke, 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.
VAFAP
Laura Chretien, DVM Fredericksburg
Courtney Conroy, DVM At-Large
Edward Fallin, DVM Central
Sherri Gard, DVM
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Northern VA
VAEP
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
Jessica Kraft, DVM Roanoke Valley
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
Larry Younger, DVM Southside VMA
Maddie Nardi Student Representative
AVMA REPRESENTATIVES Erin Casey, DVM Delegate
Katie Rohrig, DVM Alternate Delegate
PAGE 03
PRESIDENT'S SUMMER UPDATE TERRY SWECKER, DVM, PHD, DACVN
2021 VIRTUAL VIRGINIA VETERINARY CONFERENCE Thanks to the attendees, sponsors, exhibitors and VVMA staff for making the 2021 Virtual VVC a success. We had 168 veterinarians, 54 technicians and 14 exhibitors in attendance. Although a virtual conference was not our first choice, we hope the attendees were presented excellent continuing education topics. We honored an exceptional group of individuals in the Awards Ceremony on Friday night. Our profession is definitely better because of the contributions of these individuals. Dr. Betts and the conference committee are now planning for the 2022 VVC which we believe will be the best ever!
SALES TAX EXEMPTION The VVMA board voted to proceed with the Vectre group to request the sales tax exemption for veterinarians. We believe this is an issue of fairness and will help level the playing field between small animal veterinarians and the on-line entities. Special thanks to Dr. Jason Bollenbeck and Susan Seward for managing this issue for the VVMA. We will be asking you to contact your legislators as the bills move forward in the next General Assembly.
POWER OF 10 Dr. Brian Neumann outlined a revised schedule for the next class in the Power of 10. Please contact the VVMA office if you would like to recommend a young colleague or associate for this wonderful program.
VMCVM GRADUATION I was honored to represent the membership in leading the Class of 2021 in reciting the Veterinarian’s Oath. I appreciate that I am getting a little long in the tooth, but the excitement of leading that group of talented new veterinarians was awesome.
TELEMEDICINE CHALLENGES We are closely following recent activities in Florida and Utah relative to telemedicine.There are several entities that see this as an opportunity to sell products, but we firmly believe that all telemedicine should be performed under the constraints of a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship. There is a balancing act of providing service and products while still maintaining a VCPR.
UPCOMING EVENTS Please consider adding the following items to your calendar: Mentor Day: Friday September 17 in Blacksburg, VA. This event will be held in conjunction with Connect 2021 which follows that evening and the next day 2022 Legislative Day: January 2022 in Richmond, VA; the membership will be notified when the exact date is confirmed. 2022 Virginia Veterinary Conference: February 24-26 in Roanoke, VA
PAGE 04
DR. SAMUEL TATE WAS SELECTED AS MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2021 DISTINGUISHED DVM ALUMNI AWARD, NON-PRACTITIONER 2021 MSU College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Award Recipients: Distinguished DVM Alumni Award, Non-Practitioner: Samuel Wallace Tate, DVM (’67), MPH Retired, Air Force Veterinary Corps Dr. Samuel Tate earned his DVM degree from MSU in 1967. Following graduation, Dr. Tate entered active duty in the Air Force Veterinary Corps, starting a long career of providing veterinary services in the military. He served many assignments all over the world which included the following: Chief Veterinary Services to Toy Hoa AB, Vietnam; Defense Logistics Agency stock points at United Kingdom Subsistence Center (UKSC), London, England; Naval Supply Depot (NSD) Guam; Naval Supply Center (NSC), Charleston, South Carolina; and Chief Environment Health Services at Ramstein AB, Germany and Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina. At UKSC, NSD, and NSC, Dr. Tate also served as Chief Veterinary Services of the Air Force and Naval Hospital and advised the medical commanders on matters related to zoonotic diseases. In 1981, US Congress directed that the Army Veterinary Corps be the executive agent for all veterinary activities in the Department of Defense. Dr. Tate was selected to represent the Navy Surgeon General, Commander of Navy Supply Systems Command, and the Marine Corps Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics on the committee chaired by the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. He was responsible for transferring Air Force responsibilities and personnel authorizations for 28 Navy and Marine bases to the Army Veterinary Corps within one year. Thus ended Dr. Tate’s three consecutive assignments and nine consecutive years attached to the US Navy, more than any other veterinarian in the history of the Air Force Veterinary Corps. Dr. Tate retired from the Air Force in 1987 at the rank of Major. In retirement, Dr. Tate has been active in organized veterinary medicine. He was a member of the Greater Peninsula Veterinary Medical Associate (GPVMA) from 1988 to 2019, serving as Secretary/Treasurer for six years and then Director to represent the GPVMA on the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA) Board for 18 years. He currently serves as the VVMA Director to the Virginia State Animal Response Team (VASART) Board since 2008. For 13 years he served on the Board of Directors for Peninsula Emergency Clinic and was their Vice President one year. He is also an active member of the Peninsula Medical Reserve Corps serving as Volunteer Coordinator of Veterinary Activities. “The individuals receiving these alumni awards have provided great service to the College, distinguished themselves in their careers, and have enhanced the reputation and honor of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. We honor their accomplishments and hope they inspire their newest professional colleagues from the Class of 2021 to achieve their stature and preeminence in their respective fields and careers,” says Dr. Birgit Puschner, dean for the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Contact: Hanna Leestma, Alumni Relations Coordinator, Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine alumni@cvm.msu.edu, 517-353-7199
PAGE 05
PAGE 06
Mentor (mìn-tôr) n: a trusted adviser whose experience and wisdom help guide the personal and professional development of another individual.
MENTOR PROGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH CONNECT 2021
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
VA MD COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
As a mentor, you will develop a relationship with your students based on open and honest communication. You will establish a trusting partnership and share your experiences with them. You want to be a motivator and build your student's confidence. This is your chance to inspire, guide and build a lasting relationship for a future colleague and have an opportunity to glean new ideas and information from the students. This mentor program is a "Two Way Street" of sharing experiences and knowledge.
Learn more & sign up today!
VIRGINIA veterinary AWARD RECIPIENTS
PAUL F. LANDIS VIRGINIA
DISTINGUISHED
VETERINARIAN OF THE YEAR
VIRGINIA VETERINARIAN
DR. STEVEN ESCOBAR
VETERINARY SERVICE
DR. KELLY GOTTSCHALK
DR. JEFFERY NEWMAN
MENTOR OF THE YEAR
DR. JONATHAN STOTLER
RECENT GRADUATE
FRIEND OF
LEADERSHIP
THE VVMA
DR. ASHLEY POWELL
JESSICA DECESARE, CVPM
VETERINARY
COMMERCIAL
TEAM MEMBER
REPRESENTATIVE
WENDY KIRKLAND
SHANNON BYRD, IDEXX
PAGE 07
PAGE 08
The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine proudly conferred 122 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees, 27 Master of Public Health degrees — including six dual DVM/MPH degrees — and five Master of Science degrees in biomedical and veterinary sciences at its 2021 Commencement ceremonies in Lane Stadium.
Congratulations
CLASS OF 2021!
PAGE 09
PAGE 10
202 On D 1 VVC
eman d
Ava ilab Aug le un til ust 3 1st CL IC
KT OR Tha EG nk IST Y o gold uT ER oO ur silve r
Spo ns or s b
ronz e
If you were not able to attend the Virginia Veterinary Conference's live sessions on June 10-12, 2021, it is not too late. On Demand videos are available for all the sessions (except for Dr. Holly Roberts' small animal sessions on June 11th.) Online registration is available at www.vvma.org/vvc
The 2022 VVC will be held February 2426 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center! The conference schedule and registration will be available in November.
PAGE 11
M E M B E R in the news Dr. Jessica Walters Named VDACS Labs Program Manager
VVMA Member and Power of 10 Participant, Dr. Jessica Walters was named program manager of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Office of Laboratory Services. Dr. Walters will oversee the entire VDACS state laboratory system.
2021
Veterinary Memorial Fund Awarded Grants:
The VMF committee reviewed applications and the following applications have been awarded. Dr. Nick Dervisis; “High-Frequency Irreversible Electroporation (H-FIRE) for the treatment of metastatic liver disease” - Funded amount: $18,090. Dr. David Grant, “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” Funded amount: $12,128. Dr. Shawna Klahn: “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”Funded amount: $20,000 Dr. Giulio Menciotti: “Three-dimensional echocardiographic morphologic analysis of the mitral valve in growing Cavalier King Charles Spaniels” - Funded amount: $19,750 Dr. Vaidehi Paranjapee: “Clinical investigation of a modified passive leg raise maneuver in anesthetized dogs during spontaneous hypotension” – Funded amount: $16,300 Dr. Dominique Sawyere: “Effect of bead size and drug concentration on in vitro elution of antibiotic impregnated calcium sulfate beads” – Funded amount: $19,920 Dr. Richard Shinn: “Spinal Cord Toolbox Atlas for Dogs” – Funded amount: $20,000
Total amount funded for 2021: $126,188
PAGE 12
PAGE 13
PAGE 14
Click below to view; Classifieds and Advertising Information may be found at www.vvma.org/advertising
VETERINARIAN
FACULTY
classifieds
classifieds
ADMINISTRATOR
LVTS & ASSISTANTS
classifieds
classifieds
FOR SALE/LEASE
classifieds
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
Suzanne Boston, DVM KLK Relief Veterinary Services Located in the Alexandria, VAArea- licensed in Virginia and Florida Current DEA license, DVM from University of Georgia (2014). Available Monday-Friday from 8am until 5pm. I am currently open for relief within 15 miles of the Alexandria area until mid June, then again starting in November. I provide outpatient care to dogs and cats. Resume, contract and professional references available upon request. Email: suzannebostondvm@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
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 throughout VA 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
PAGE 15
e m M b A e r M B V e V nefit E E R F
VIRGINIA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION // SUMMER 2021
TOWN &COUNTRY CALL