Professional News

04 August

Telehealth and Marijuana topics at AVMA Summer meeting

wsvma   |   Professional News

The annual summer meeting of the AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) was held during July 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  As part of that meeting, the HOD's held the Veterinary Information Forum (VIF).  In its’ second year, the VIF was created to allow issues important to state and allied group AVMA members to reach the floor of the HOD, through their AVMA delegates, for discussion and action. Several important and timely issues were discussed this year and action steps were taken...

Read More
07 July

Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association is asking for input – survey deadline July 15

wsvma   |   Professional News

The Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association is gearing up for a strategic planning meeting. Now is your chance to help drive the direction and future for the LGBTQ+ veterinary medical movement, which is now 40 years old. Please take 15-20 minutes to fill out the LGVMA strategic planning survey by July 15. Your input is requested and is invaluable to their planning process....

Read More
24 March

Judge in WSU court case advocates for emotional damages in wrongful death cases

Cassie Isackson   |   Professional News

Washington’s Division III Court of Appeals has ruled against a dog owner who brought a lawsuit against Washington State University and an attending veterinary intern over a difficult euthanasia. Robert Repin, who made the decision to have his Alaskan malamute euthanized after it was diagnosed with cancer, claims the procedure was performed incorrectly, causing his dog to suffer. Repin charged that the doctor never informed him of the potential complications or risks from the procedure. Repin, represented by attorney Adam Karp,...

Read More
17 February

Get Reimbursed for the Charitable Care You Give

wsvma   |   Professional News, Uncategorized

The men and women of the veterinary profession are known for their compassion. Accordingly, one of the most difficult conversations a veterinarian may experience is when a client shares his/her inability to afford the treatment recommended for their beloved pet. Through the AVMF Veterinary Care Charitable Fund®, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) supports veterinarians by serving as their umbrella 501(c)(3) organization, accepting donations in support of a veterinary practice. Donated funds can be used to assist clients facing personal hardships,...

Read More
27 January

QPR suicide prevention training can help save a life

wsvma   |   Professional News, Uncategorized

Do you suspect a friend or family member may be thinking of killing themselves? The QPR Gatekeeper training course may help you save a life. QPR stands for “question, persuade, refer,” the three simple steps anyone can learn to prevent someone from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade,...

Read More
23 December

Banfield Pet Hospital recognized by Association for Washington Business

wsvma   |   Professional News, Uncategorized

The Association for Washington Business (AWB), Washington’s statewide business organization, selected Banfield to receive the Leading Environmental Practice Award for its new environmentally-friendly headquarters located in Vancouver, WA. The three-building campus was designed to obtain the highest U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification possible. The state-of-the-art ultra-green building requires less than half of the electricity needed for a typical building of its size and has many environmentally sustainable features that reflect Banfield’s commitment to...

Read More
09 December

AVMA debuts reputation management services to help veterinarians fight cyberbullying

wsvma   |   Professional News, Uncategorized

Two new tools, a cyberbullying hotline and a reputation management service, are now available through the AVMA’s online reputation management resources. With 20% of members reporting they have experienced cyberbullying and false reviews, the AVMA prioritized adding additional tools to help member veterinarians combat the emotional and financial damage caused by online detractors. The 24/7 DVM Cyberbullying Hotline answered by experienced crisis management consultants, is now available to members being cyberbullied and in need of immediate assistance. This service includes...

Read More
12 August

AVMA 2016 Convention Brief – Dr. Thomas Meyer takes office as president

wsvma   |   Professional News, Uncategorized

The 2016 AVMA Convention that took place in San Antonio, August 6 – 9 has come to a close. Of special note, Dr. Thomas Meyer, Vancouver, was installed as AVMA 2016-17 President at the conclusion of the event. Dr. Meyer is a mixed animal practitioner, WSVMA past president and the recipient of the 2004 WSVMA Veterinarian of the Year award.  Congratulations Dr. Meyer! Dr. Kim Nicholas, who served as WSVMA’s alternate delegate from 1998 – 2008 and delegate since 2008 has...

Read More
13 May

Rule will require prescriptions moving forward

wsvma   |   Professional News, State Regulatory, Uncategorized

The Veterinary Board of Governors is moving forward to adopt a new rule that will require veterinarians to provide clients a written prescription on request. If requested by a client under a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, the veterinarian must provide a written prescription, or call, fax, or electronically send the prescription to a licensed pharmacy. The proposed rules will provide pet owners flexibility and cost savings when obtaining medications for their pets. Honoring a client’s request for a prescription in lieu of...

Read More
06 May

Fix the Debt Summit results in possible solutions

wsvma   |   Professional News, Uncategorized

At Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine (MSU/CVM) last month, 180 individuals including veterinary students, recent graduates, representatives from veterinary medical colleges, veterinary employers, governmental agencies, and veterinary associations gathered to develop approaches to solving student debt and reducing the debt to income ratio (DIR), which is an indicator of financial health of veterinarians entering the profession. Currently, the DIR is 2:1, indicating the level of educational debt is twice the level of starting income. Student debt is the single...

Read More