VIRGINIA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION // WINTER 2021/2022
TOWN &COUNTRY CALL
2022 VVC & AWARDS CEREMONY - 04 & 05 2022 DAY AT THE CAPITOL- 08 SALES TAX LEGISLATION UPDATE - 09 VA-MD CVM 2021 IN REVIEW- 13
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 Caroline Bryan Administrative Coordinator Victoria Staples Association Coordinator
submission deadline
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OFFICERS
Terry Swecker, DVM President
Martin Betts, DVM President-Elect
Lauren Maxey, 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
March 4, 2022
DIRECTORS
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
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PRESIDENT'S WINTER UPDATE TERRY SWECKER, DVM, PHD, DACVN
Welcome 2022 or 2020 too? As I write this, I must admit the frustration of what now appears to be a coming 4th wave of COVID-19 via the omicron variant. The optimist in me wants to believe that omicron is a natural progression to a more contagious, but less pathogenic form of SARSCoV-2. The pessimist in me worries about family, friends and colleagues for both the potential for viral illness but also the mental fatigue and challenges associated the changes that may be coming to our lives and our practices. I am constantly buoyed by you, my colleagues who are the VVMA. I recently had the opportunity to participate in the selection of the 2022 VVMA award recipients. The dedication of these individuals to our profession and community are truly amazing. I am optimistic that the groundwork laid by Dr. Jason Bollenbeck and Susan Seward will result in the passing of the sales tax legislation in the upcoming General Assembly. I am impressed by the work of Dr. Marty Betts and colleagues in putting together an excellent program for the upcoming Virginia Veterinary Conference. We all are indebted to the diligence of Robin Schmitz and Dr. Brian Neumann in shepherding our budget through this challenging year. The year is not over, but the outlook is much better than it was in January. The Board is considering a proposal to expand the public relations outreach done by the Coastal Veterinary Medical Association, led by Dr. Ashley Powell, to a statewide campaign. You do great things and we need to let the public know about it! So yes, we now have omicron, and there will likely be a Pi, rho, sigma, and tau to deal with in the future. I, however, know that the talented group of veterinarians in the VVMA will continue to take care of clients, animals, and public health through all of your multiple roles. This is a great profession! Take note of the upcoming events and I hope to see you soon.
Upcoming Events Please consider joining us at the following events: 2022 Legislative Day: January 19, 2022 in Richmond, VA 2022 Virtual Annual Meeting: February 17, 2022 (details will be emailed soon) 2022 Virginia Veterinary Conference: February 24-26 in Roanoke, VA
Virginia Veterinary Conference & Awards Ceremony
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REGISTER HERE!
February 24-26, 2022 at the Hotel Roanoke
DISCOUNT FOR 2021 VIRTUAL VVC PARTICIPANTS! 2021 VIRTUAL VVC attendees are eligible for up to a $30 credit for 2022 registration!
Earn up to 15 CE hours! Tracks include: Small Animal I & II, Equine, Food Animal, Public Practice & Technician Connect & catch up with colleagues Visit an exhibit hall full of vendors offering services & products to help you better practice veterinary medicine Celebrate some of our profession's finest members after ce on friday evening (FEB 25 at 5:45pm)
Virginia Veterinary Conference & Awards Ceremony free vaccination clinic on friday at vvc!
hotel reservations registration brochure session descriptions things to do in roanoke
THANK YOU platinum silver bronze
to our
conference 2022 sponsors gold
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SARS-CoV-2 and White-Tailed Deer Recently conducted research shows that SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19 in humans, is able to infect white-tailed deer. Further evidence suggests that while deer do not appear to become sick or show clinical signs of disease when infected, SARS-CoV-2 may be transmitted from deer to deer. There are currently no documented cases of humans becoming infected after contact with infected white-tailed deer. There is also no evidence that humans can get COVID-19 by eating or preparing wild hunted game meat. While the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from deer to humans is unknown at this time, it is believed to be low. Person-to-person transmission remains the greatest risk for spreading the virus. The risk factors for virus spillover from humans to deer, or how deer are becoming exposed to the virus, have not yet been identified. Please refer to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource’s website at: https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/ for additional information on whitetailed deer, SARS-CoV-2, and measures hunters should consider in order to minimize the risk of viral transmission.
Thank you, Boehringer Ingelheim, for your sponsorship of the 2021 Virtual VVC!
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VVMA Day at the Capitol
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2022 Downtown Richmond Marriott | 10am-1pm
All veterinarians and members are encouraged to join us for an informational session, legislation review & working lunch. This is a great opportunity to meet the VVMA executive committee, other VVMA members and leaders, and learn more about proposed bills for 2022. VVMA directors, Staff and our full-time legislative consultant work year-round to Monitor legislation that could affect the practice of veterinary medicine in Virginia.
click here for info & registration!
PLEASE JOIN US ON JANUARY 19 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT: The VVMA is working on legislation that would
exempt all veterinarians
from paying sales tax on drugs they use and sell. Sales Tax Initiative Update: We have been working closely with the Virginia Department of Taxation to draft legislation exempting companion animal veterinarians from paying sales tax on drugs they use in practice or sell. With support from key legislators our legislative team plans to pre-file the bill shortly. Prior to any additional legislative visits, our legislative team is reaching out to key animal groups and organizations in Virginia to develop a list of supporting organizations. Watch your email for additional updates and progress on the sales tax initiative. Sales Tax Initiative Background: In Virginia the only medical profession to pay tax on the drugs used in practice or sold to clients are companion animal veterinarians. This includes the pharmacies that fill pet prescriptions for pet owners. The current veterinary sales tax law is unfair to pet owners because it increases the cost of care for their pets. But it is also unfair to Virginia veterinarians because it increases the cost to do business and makes it harder to compete with pharmacies that are not paying sales tax.
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VVMA Member Named 2021 Distinguished Alumnus of Oklahoma State University's CVM (Stillwater, Oklahoma, Nov. 29, 2021) – Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine recently named Dr. Donnie Gardner of Huddleston, Virginia, a 2021 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient. Gardner grew up on a cattle ranch and dairy farm in southern Oklahoma. During high school FFA, he managed a herd of 20 registered Duroc sows and sold show pigs and feeders. After graduating in 1970 with their DVM degrees, Drs. Susan (deceased) and Donnie Gardner moved to Bedford County, Virginia, where they built Bedford Animal Hospital. They worked the mixed animal practice for 10 years. He then went solo dairy practice while they built their productive dairy heifer raising operation, Gardner Heifers Inc, which he runs today. Gardner’s business raises heifers for dairy farmers in Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. He was the first in the county to do no till alfalfa seeding, treat mature grass hay with anhydrous ammonia to improve digestibility, wrap baleage with an inline bale wrapper and plant no till corn in green standing cover crops. Gardner was also the first in his part of Virginia to use brown midrib brachytic dwarf forage sorghum for a direct cut silage crop. Gardner helped establish what is known today as the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association and served in leadership for several years. He also facilitated the start of Hunters for the Hungry project where Virginia hunters donate venison that is then given to people in need of quality lean protein. In its 30th year, the program has provided 7.4 million pounds or 29.6 million servings of this natural renewable resource. He participated in the creation of the Virginia Academy of Food Animal Practitioners to improve continuing education and professional relationships and promote the practice of food animal veterinary medicine in Virginia. Gardner served in leadership positions of this organization and still does today as secretary/treasurer. Gardner was also involved on a national level with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners as well as numerous state and local organizations too numerous to list. He has received many awards and honors including the Roger Cady Award, the Professional Dairy Heifer Growers highest award (2004), AABP Bovine Practitioner of the Year Award (2011) and the Paul F. Landis Virginia Veterinarian of the Year Award (2015). Gardner has been active in his community serving on his church board of directors and supporting the Virginia State Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom Project and the local FFA chapter. He has shared his vast knowledge through many publications and presentations throughout his career. Contact: Derinda Blakeney, APR | OSU College of Veterinary Medicine 405-744-6740 | derinda@okstate.edu
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HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR VVMA MEMBERSHIP FOR 2022? By supporting the VVMA, you are supporting YOUR association and YOUR profession. The VVMA exists for you and because of you. Renewal forms were mailed in December. You may also renew online by logging into the members-only section of the VVMA website.
Contact the VVMA office if you have any questions.
Thank you, IDEXX, for your sponsorship of the 2021 Virtual VVC!
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Dear colleagues and friends,
2021 in review
ATTENTION 2013-2019 GRADUATES!
Against a background of ever-constant change and turbulence, 2021 has been a year of reconnecting, re-shaping, and re-launching our pursuit of educational excellence, research progress, and community cohesion. We have effectively navigated challenges due to COVID and the necessary challenges associated with COVID mitigation protocols. Twenty-six student, staff, and faculty volunteers administered COVID-19 vaccines to individuals throughout the New River Valley. Throughout this year, we have demonstrated our steadfast commitment to hands-on experiential learning and outstanding, compassionate clinical care despite unique challenges. In May, our college graduated 122 DVM students, 27 MPH students, and 6 DVM/MPH students. Students recognized the educational excellence of faculty with multiple awards. Linda Dahlgren received the college’s award for Outstanding Faculty Mentor. Veterinary classes presented outstanding instructor awards to Drs. Timothy Bolton, Fawzy Elnady, and Roger A. Ramirez-Barrios. The college created our first endowed scholarship for students of an underrepresented population with demonstrated financial need. This scholarship was named in honor of three of the earliest Black graduates of the college: Dr. Lynne Hoban (DVM ’86), Dr. Margie Lee (DVM ’86), and Dr. Mario Dance (DVM ’90). The college is proud to honor the accomplishments of these outstanding graduates with creation of the Hoban, Lee and Dance Endowed Scholarship Fund. During Giving Day 2021, our college received support from 244 donors giving almost $645,000 during 24 hours. This support enabled the progress of students, advancement of programs and improvement of facilities at the college. With recognition of her ongoing energetic leadership, Dr. Natalia Henao-Guerrero was named department head of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. Our college’s research progress was in the spotlight during our 31st Annual Research Symposium. The theme of this year’s symposium was “Intersection of veterinary and human medicine to combat global diseases.” Our college’s research scope and impact continued to grow with annual extramural awards surpassing $10.8 million and annual extramural expenditures surpassing $11 million. In Fall 2021, the college welcomed 126 incoming DVM students, 55 MPH students, and 54 bachelors of science in public health (BSPH) students. The college hired its first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Garry Morgan, to advance our college’s goals as we reaffirmed our collective responsibility in shaping the culture of our college to consistently embody our principles of community. The college hosted Connect 2021 as an in-person event to connect, students, mentors, prospective employers, distinguished alumni, and outstanding continuing education. The college hosted a six-day site-visit from an eight-member team representing the accrediting body of our Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program. While the final report resulting from this process remains pending, we have notable successes and strengths that were recognized and commended during exit briefings from the accreditation site-visit team. The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine is particularly thankful for our college community's inspiring accomplishments, made feasible by our faculty and staff's shared commitment and whole-hearted efforts. We are grateful for all our students, alumni, donors, referring veterinarians, and special friends of the college. We anticipate exciting advancements in the coming year as we act on our aspirations to be international leaders in veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, and public health rooted in service, fueled by a passion to improve health, and focused on innovation and education. Best wishes for joy-filled holidays and a wonderful new year! Sincerely, Dan Givens, Dean
Dean M. Daniel Givens
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Thank you, Banfield, for your sponsorship of the 2021 Virtual VVC!
'tis the season for tests
&TREATS! Dr. Terry Swecker and Dr. Marty Betts gave away holiday goodie bags, hot chocolate, and coffee to VA-MD CVM students one morning during exam week!
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In Memory
Dr. Valerie Anne Weiss, 51, a resident of Waynesboro, VA, passed away Wednesday, November 17, 2021. Dr. Weiss attended the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, VA, graduating in 2003 with a number of awards. Since that time Dr. Weiss dedicated herself to the community by working at the Animal Hospital of Waynesboro and had been widely known for her love of animals and her compassionate treatment and care, not only of her patients but to all she met.
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
classifieds
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. 352-8717776 | ashbyvet@gmail.com
Suzanne Boston, DVM KLK Relief Veterinary Services Located in the Alexandria, VA Area- licensed in Virginia and Florida. Current DEA license, DVM from University of Georgia (2014). Available Monday-Friday from 9am until 5pm. I am currently open for relief within 10 miles of the Alexandria area. 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
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 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
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e m M b A er Benefit M V V E E R F
VIRGINIA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION // WINTER 2021/2022
TOWN &COUNTRY CALL