Professional News

28 August

License expiration extension ending, renew by Sept. 30 to avoid late fee

wsvma   |   Professional News, State Regulatory

To allow healthcare professionals the ability to focus on patient care during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Secretary of Health extended expiration dates for licenses due for renewal between April 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020. All late fees were waived during this period. What does this mean for you? For health care professionals who took advantage of the extended time to renew, this is a reminder that you must renew your credential on or before September 30 in order for your credential...

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28 August

AVMA summer meetings held virtually

wsvma   |   Professional News

Greetings from your AVMA delegate team following the Summer AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) meeting! Washington was well represented at this, and all meetings, by Drs. Sandy Willis (Delegate) and Diana Thomé (Alternate Delegate).  At the conclusion of this meeting, Dr. Willis ended her term as the House Advisory Committee (HAC) Chair and stepped in to her new role as the District 11 Director, representing the states in our district to the AVMA Board of Directors (BOD).  Dr. Thomé will...

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28 August

ISO – Volunteers for One Health Clinic in Seattle

wsvma   |   Professional News

The One Health Clinic provides side-by-side medical and veterinary care for people experiencing homelessness with companion animals. Because of COVID-19, we have had to cancel our regular clinics and have shifted how and where we are offering care. The Clinic has partnered with the Mobile Pet Food Bank to provide veterinary care for people experiencing financial difficulty due to COVID-19. At the clinic, we offer vaccines, wellness exams, and referrals to local clinics. When available, we also have a human health...

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21 August

Be aware of current scams aimed at licensed practitioners

wsvma   |   Professional News

Some state licensing boards are reporting that their licensees are receiving phone calls from people claiming to be staff from the licensing board or law enforcement in an attempt to obtain sensitive license or personal information. The callers will often falsely claim that the licensee is under investigation or that their license is in danger of being suspended. The phone numbers that appear on the caller ID can sometimes appear authentic. This is a common fraud technique known as spoofing. The...

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14 August

White House issues executive order on student loan repayment

wsvma   |   Professional News

On March 13, the White House announced the automatic suspension of federal student loan interest accrual in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Following the announcement, the President on March 27 signed stimulus legislation into law that suspended federal student loan repayment and interest accrual for six months and included other supports for higher education. On Saturday, August 9, the president issued another executive order to extend the suspension on federal student loan repayment and federal interest accrual through the end of...

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14 August

WSU Professors receive honors

wsvma   |   Professional News

Dr. Dale Moore, Washington State University’s director for veterinary extension, was honored with the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine 2020 Helwig-Jennings Award on Aug. 1. The award, established in 1980, recognizes contributions of veterinarians John F. Helwig and William E. Jennings to veterinary preventive medicine. Moore received the award after more than three decades of service to the organization, of which she has been a diplomate since 1988. She is the 38th recipient of the award and just the...

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14 August

Veterinary Board of Governors recruiting members

wsvma   |   Professional News, State Regulatory

The Department of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA) is accepting applications to fill one veterinary position on the Veterinary Board of Governors. They are looking for public-spirited people willing to study the issues and to make decisions in the public’s best interest. The Veterinary Board of Governors operates under legislative mandate to: Protect the health and safety of the public. Promote the welfare of the state by regulating the competency and quality of health care providers under their authority. The...

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31 July

Giving women in veterinary medicine ‘true role models’

wsvma   |   Professional News, Veterinary Medical Education

This morning, when Dori Borjesson walked into Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine as dean, it was a first for women. Until today, no woman had ever led the college in its more than 120-year history. But what is most surprising to the new dean is how much it means to the women around her. “I didn’t anticipate it, but this means a lot to a lot of people,” Borjesson said. “It speaks to the fact that if you don’t see anyone...

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26 June

WSVMA Board discusses the future of veterinary medicine

wsvma   |   Professional News, WSVMA News

In February, a joint commission created by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) released a report identifying emerging trends that will affect the veterinary profession during the next generation, providing insights that may be used to adapt to the profession’s changing environment. “The Future of Veterinary Medicine,” produced by the AVMA and AAVMC’s Veterinary Futures Commission, was published following four face-to-face working sessions and more than a year and a half of...

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29 May

New animal anti-cruelty legislation signed into law, takes effect June 11, 2020

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare, Legislative, Professional News

Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 6300 that added more teeth to current animal cruelty statutes. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Anne Rivers (R-La Center) and brought forward by Pasado’s Safe Haven included several amendments aimed at doing more to protect animals. Changes to Chapter RCW 16.52 animal cruelty statutes include: Only a licensed veterinarian may devocalize, ear crop or tail dock a dog. Veterinarians must use accepted veterinary surgical protocols and pain management when performing...

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