Debra Nickelson DVM, MBA

AAIV Alternate Delegate

We invite you to nominate an AVMA member who has made significant contributions to the veterinary profession through innovating and transformational leadership in promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on May 22. 

Beginning this year, a new AVMA award will formally recognize accomplishments in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with the AVMA Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award. Approved by the AVMA Board of Directors at its April meeting, the new award will be presented for the first time at the AVMA convention in July. 

Nomination criteria

• Nominees must be an AVMA member veterinarian.
• Nominations may be submitted by any individual (AVMA member or non-member) or organization.
• Self-nominations will be considered.
• Nominations must reflect an individual’s significant and sustained contributions in promoting and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in veterinary medicine. The following are some potential criteria that could be considered:
  • Longevity of service: The nominee should have a demonstrated record of promoting and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the lifetime of their career.
  • Innovation: The nominee should have demonstrated innovative approaches to promoting and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion including novel strategies and techniques in veterinary medicine that have resulted in measurable change.
  • Collaboration and partnership: The nominee should have demonstrated an ability to work collaboratively and build partnerships with diverse stakeholders, such as community organizations, academic institutions, government agencies and private sector entities to achieve common goals related to diversity, equity and inclusion in veterinary medicine.
  • Leadership and advocacy: The nominee should have demonstrated exceptional leadership and advocacy in promoting and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion including the ability to inspire and influence others to create positive change in the veterinary profession.
  • Positive impact on underrepresented communities: The nominee should have demonstrated a positive impact on marginalized and underrepresented communities with a focus on creating equitable opportunities and outcomes in veterinary medicine for all individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age or ability.

Nomination requirements

• Cover letter summarizing the nominee’s contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion including how they have met the specific criteria for the award.
• Interactive PDF nomination form.
• Curriculum vitae/resume or biography, highlighting the professional achievements, education and experience in promoting and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Supporting documentation demonstrating the nominee’s contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion, such as publications, reports, videos or news articles.
• Up to three letters of support from individuals who can provide insight into the nominee’s contributions to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in veterinary medicine.
• Digital high resolution (300 DPI) colored headshot photograph, suitable for publication:
  • 5” x 7”
  • TIFF or JPG format

Nomination form

AVMAFrederickDouglassPattersonNominationForm_2023_FINAL.pdf

The post New AVMA Award to Recognize Achievements in Supporting DEI appeared first on American Association of Industry Veterinarians.

These generation categories include:

• Silent
• Baby Boomers
• Gen X
• Millennials
• Gen Z

“Cuspers” are those who were born three to five years between generations.

Keep in mind that everyone is unique, and no one fits a standard mold. Here are some ideas to communicate between generations:

• Talk to the other generations to find out what is important to them and why.
• Appreciate the differences and use the strengths of each generation.
• Learn how people prefer communications and how they prefer to obtain their information.
• Give feedback as needed and desired.

This recorded presentation is available for members here.  

The post Embracing Multigenerations in the Workplace appeared first on American Association of Industry Veterinarians.

We encourage you to send a message to industryvets@gmail.com about these candidates. Who would you vote for?

Candidates for 2023-2024 AVMA President-Elect

The post AVMA President-Elect Candidates appeared first on American Association of Industry Veterinarians.

AVMA endorses federal legislation to address illicit xylazine

A newly proposed law backed by the AVMA would help combat the emerging threat posed by illicit xylazine while protecting veterinary access to this important animal sedative. The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act was introduced into congress in March. The bill’s provisions would equip law enforcement with additional tools to stop xylazine trafficking while maintaining veterinarians’ ability to legitimately use xylazine. 

It strikes the right balance of protecting our communities while preserving veterinary access to this critically important animal drug. If it becomes law, the legislation will make the manufacture, distribution, dispensing or possession of illicit xylazine subject to Schedule III penalties under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Illicit use of xylazine includes any use, or intended use, in people and would address any diversion of xylazine from veterinary sources. At the same time, the legitimate veterinary uses would remain under their current prescription status.

Highlights of the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

• Manufacture, distribution, dispensing and possession of illicit xylazine would be subject to Schedule III penalties, engaging the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and allowing for harsher punishments when xylazine is handled illegally.
• The legitimate importation, manufacture, dispensing and administration of xylazine for non-human species would not be subject to the restrictions and requirements of scheduling. 
• Any diversion of xylazine from the veterinary supply chain for illicit use would be subject to the penalties of a Schedule III drug. 
• Manufacturers and distributors would report sales of veterinary xylazine to the DEA through a tracking system that would identify unusual activity or changes in ordering patterns. 
• The DEA would submit a report to congress detailing the prevalence and impacts of illicit xylazine use in the United States. 

The post Q2 2023 AVMA House of Delegates Report appeared first on American Association of Industry Veterinarians.

If you know me personally, you know I am a creature of habit. I wake up at the same time each day; I park in the same parking lot at the airport; and I paddle board the same route each time I get out on the water. Yes, guilty as charged.

However, I have been told time and time again that change is good and a part of growing. The current board of directors has certainly embraced that change. For starters, as a board, we agreed on increasing member dues. The last increase in dues was nearly a decade ago and was long overdue. There was so much thought and consideration that went into making this decision to ensure that the amount is still very reasonable and consistent with other allied organizations. We also advocated for a new membership type: affiliate membership. We recognized that now is the right time to embrace our industry veterinary technicians and we are excited for this new beginning together. Lastly, we updated our website and host server, and added an additional member benefit thanks to our new partner Total Planning. More to come on that soon! Together, as an organization, we are embracing change for the sake of the veterinary community that we serve.

One last push for this quarter: If your membership has expired, NOW is the time to renew before the dues increase. Remind other industry veterinarians and technicians out there about the benefits of an AAIV membership. Looking for way to get involved? Jump on one of our webinars and share or comment on our social media. Need a mentor or want to become one? Join our mentorship program. Does sponsorship interest you? Reach out to us. Finally, as always, this is YOUR organization, and we want to hear from YOU!

Enjoy the warmer weather. Spring has sprung!

Allison Sateren
AAIV President

The post President’s Letter | Q2 2023 appeared first on American Association of Industry Veterinarians.

The following day, the board of directors convened for their first meeting of the year. They deliberated on ways to enhance the value for AAIV members and considered potential new programs and improvements to existing ones.

Our networking reception on Monday was also a great success, where we heard from AAIV President, Allison Sateren. Allison shared updates on what we accomplished in 2022 and our plans for 2023, which includes more industry-focused webinars, in-person and virtual networking receptions, a new website set to launch in early March and compensation data that will be published soon for members to view.

We want to extend a big thank you to all of those who visited the AAIV booth, attended the networking reception and remain active members of our organization. We value your support and engagement!

The post AAIV at VMX 2023 Recap appeared first on American Association of Industry Veterinarians.

February 2023

Resolutions

There were nine resolutions brought forward to the House of Delegates for review during the winter session in January. Such resolutions are brought to the House if a new policy is created, an existing policy needs rewording or if the board of directors determines the policy to be pertinent. 

• An updated policy on “Inherited Disorders in Responsible Breeding of Companion Animals” that supersedes the existing policy of the same name and continues to emphasize the importance of responsibly managing inherited disorders in companion animals.
• A new policy on “Therapeutic Medications in Competition Equids” that supersedes the policy on “Therapeutic Medications in Non-racing Performance Horses,” mirroring revisions by the American Association of Equine Practitioners to the AAEP policy on this topic in 2020.
• A new policy on “Unregulated Horse Racing” stating that the AVMA condemns unregulated racing of equids because of threats to animal health and welfare, such as infectious disease, administration of illegal substances and abusive practices.
• New policies on “Bovine Disbudding and Dehorning” and “Bovine Castration” that supersede the policy on “Castration and Dehorning of Cattle” to recognize that castration and dehorning require different animal care and to clarify the distinction between dehorning and disbudding.
• A consolidated policy titled “Harmonized Approach to Voluntary and Regulated Aquatic Animal Health Programs” that supersedes four policies on state oversight and federal programs pertaining to the health of aquatic animals.
• A consolidated policy on “Veterinary Compounding” that supersedes the three existing policies on this topic, provides additional clarity and adds more resources.
• A revised policy on “The Importance of Veterinarians in Food Safety” that adds a statement that management and leadership training would help improve the supervisory success, job satisfaction and retention of supervisory public health veterinarians with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service.
• A revised policy on “Dog Bite Prevention” that adds a statement that all dogs can bite and reaffirms that the AVMA considers it inappropriate to label specific breeds or classes of dogs as aggressive or dangerous, among other revisions.

The HOD did not approve a revised policy on “The Veterinarian’s Role in Supporting Appropriate Selection and Use of Service, Assistance, Emotional Support and Therapy Animals.” The proposed revisions were largely editorial. The HOD referred the revised policy back to the board of directors for clarification of the wording by the AVMA Steering Committee on Human-Animal Interactions.

Veterinary Information Forum Topics

Need for a mid-level position

The House of Delegates agreed that establishing a mid-level veterinary provider category would be complicated and would not do much to expand access to veterinary care. Instead, delegates agreed that the focus should be on improving resources and programs to retain veterinarians and veterinary technicians, further developing veterinary technician specialties and helping veterinary practices maximize efficiency. Read more here: Idea of midlevel practitioner rejected (avma.org)

Workplace culture and retention

There are many relevant AVMA resources available, and the House of Delegates wants to make sure that members are aware of what is available and how to make use of them. Resources include:

·     Workplace Wellbeing Certificate program

·     Brave Space Certificate program

·     Train the Trainer program

·     Journey for Teams

There are also tools such as EAP programs and mental health coverage that exists within the offerings from the AVMA Trust. Read more here: Turn to AVMA and others for resources to improve workplace culture (avma.org)

Thinking ahead to the summer session, one of these candidates will be elected AVMA president-elect.                                             

Candidates for 2023-2024 AVMA President-Elect

Dr. Sandra Faeh Butler (Left)
Dr. Arnold L. Goldman  (Middle)
Dr. Bob Murtaugh (Right)

Again, it is our honor to represent you, not just during the HOD sessions, but all year. Please let us know what questions and concerns you have at industryvets@gmail.com.

Thank you,

Drs. Ellen Lowery and Debra Nickelson

The post Q1 2023 AVMA House of Delegates Report appeared first on American Association of Industry Veterinarians.

I am in complete disbelief that I am saying this but welcome to 2023. VMX marked my first official meeting as president. As a 15-plus year member of AAIV, three years on the board and more than 18 years of industry experience, I have a passion for this organization and can’t wait to get started.

However, first, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our 2022 AAIV board. All 14 members worked really hard to make 2022 a huge success. I would be remiss if I didn’t personally thank my mentor and friend, Dr. Tim Smaha, for his leadership last year. From sponsorship enhancement to a revamp of the compensation survey and everything in between, his direction took AAIV to the next level. Also, a big shoutout and a thank you to our fabulous 2022 sponsors. We know that sponsorship budgets are tightening each year for many companies. We appreciate your willingness to invest in your people and support our organization.

My message is simple this quarter. Spread the word about AAIV! There are so many practitioners looking to take the leap into our world and AAIV has so much to offer. For those veterinarians in industry who haven’t joined AAIV, remind them that AAIV is their voice with the AVMA, the place to meet and connect with fellow industry vets and a great resource for learning about compensation and additional career opportunities within the field. Finally, we want to hear from you. What are we doing well? How can we improve the organization?

I am honored to serve as your president and I look forward to another great year.

Warmest regards,

Allison Sateren
AAIV President

The post President’s Letter | Q1 2023 appeared first on American Association of Industry Veterinarians.

Career Transition Panel Recap

Last fall, AAIV hosted a lively discussion on veterinary careers in industry. This was moderated by Dr. Valerie Ragan, Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine, VAMD. The panelists included:

·     Dr. Russ Drury, Boehringer-Ingelheim and Pawsibilites Vet Med

·     Dr. Jen Kasten, Dechra Pharmaceuticals

·     Dr. Caroline Luther, MedVet

·     Dr. Tabatha Regehr, Pet Poison Helpline/Safety Call

We discussed the various careers and fields that could be included in the definition of industry veterinary medicine, which also applies to veterinary technicians and nurses. We defined some of the entry level positions such as field and professional services, pharmacovigilance and marketing/sales. 

There are many available resources for career transition:

·     AAIV career resources and mentorship program

·     Pawsibilities mentoring network

·     Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine

·     K-State Olathe professional development program

·     AVMA Career Center

·     Purdue University

Check out these resources and be sure to join AAIV on future webinars. 

The post Career Transition Panel Recap appeared first on American Association of Industry Veterinarians.

Why It’s Smart to Be Open to Opportunity in Your Career

The way in which you view opportunity is the number one factor in ultimately determining how successful you will be in your animal health career.

That may sound like a rather bold statement, but I can say with confidence that it’s based upon my experience as an executive recruiter and search consultant for the past twenty-five years. I’ve worked with thousands of job seekers and candidates during that time and how they handled opportunity had a direct impact on their career growth, and in many cases, their career satisfaction.

So, how should you view opportunity?

First and foremost, it is a good idea to view an opportunity as an opportunity and not strictly as a risk. Everything in life is risky to some degree. You can’t escape it. In many cases, the greater the opportunity, the greater the risk. This is why you can’t “play it safe” all the time. If you do, then you increase the chances that you’ll get stuck in a “career rut,” and once you’re in one of those, it’s more difficult to escape than you might realize.

There are three distinct stages involved with approaching an opportunity in the correct way.

Stage #1—Being open to hearing about an opportunity

You can’t take advantage of an opportunity unless you know what that opportunity is, and to know what it is, you have to hear about it. This is an important first step because I sometimes encounter professionals who don’t even want to hear about an opportunity when one is presented to them. They say “no” before they even know what they’re saying “no” to.

One of the most successful people I know within the animal health industry told me that early in his career, his mentor instructed him countless times to never say “no” to an opportunity without first knowing about the opportunity. His mentor told him to always be open to at least hearing about the opportunity and that it costs you nothing to listen.

Stage #2—Being open to considering the opportunity

Once you hear about an opportunity, you must be open to considering it, especially if it’s clearly better than your current job. This means thoughtfully comparing and contrasting the opportunity with your current position and evaluating each in an objective fashion. Will the new opportunity help advance your career more than staying in your current job? If so, how will it? Or will staying in your current job help you to advance your career? Once again, if so, then why would that be the case?

Stage #3—Being open to exploring the opportunity

If you come to the conclusion that the opportunity is clearly better than your current job and does have the potential to advance your career, then you must be open to exploring it. And by “exploring,” I mean being willing to enter the hiring process of the organization that has the open position. Remember: just because you’re interviewing with another employer does not mean that you’re disloyal. It just means that you’re exploring your options. At the end of the process, you can always make the decision to stay at your current employer.

However, consider this: people who change jobs every three to five years earn more in compensation and benefits than people who stay at the same employer for ten to fifteen years. Why is that? Because employers must entice professionals they want to hire with more money, compensation and other benefits. And there are people in the job market who are changing jobs more frequently than every three to five years. In fact, they’re changing jobs every eighteen months to two years, and they’re not being labeled as a “job hopper,” either.

According to an article on the Forbes.com website, “staying employed at the same company for more than two years on average is going to make you earn less over your lifetime by about 50% or more.” The article also indicates that 50% is at the lowest end of the spectrum, with the potential for the percentage to be even higher. Not only that, but the numbers are only based on the assumption that a person’s career is going to last ten years. Consequently, the longer you work, the greater the difference in income will be over your lifetime.

While the Forbes.com article was published in 2014, it’s even more applicable now. The year 2014 was before there was a shortage of talent in the job market. It was before the “Great Resignation” and the virtual elimination of the job hopping stigma. In short, the passage of time has made “50% or more” far too conservative of a number. Market conditions have driven the dynamics involved to a fever pitch, ramping up the pace, the frequency and the severity of the factors contributing to the difference in income between people who change jobs frequently and those who do not.

This is why it’s a smart idea to be open to opportunity in your career — hearing about it, considering it and exploring it when it makes sense to do so. 

All you’re really doing is creating options for yourself. At no point during the process, especially during the initial stages, are you saying, “Yes, I will resign from my current employer and leave tomorrow to take another position.” First, there is no reason to resign your current job until another organization extends an offer of employment to you. Second, even if another organization extends an offer, you can always turn it down.

There are a number of factors that influence the amount of professional success that you’ll enjoy — your education, your skills, your experience, etc. However, as important as they, you can’t truly maximize your career with these things alone.

To truly maximize your career, you must have a healthy attitude about opportunity, you must approach it the right way and you must recognize and take advantage of those opportunities that have the potential to truly change your life in a positive way.

The post Why It’s Smart to Be Open to Opportunity appeared first on American Association of Industry Veterinarians.