Professional News

15 November

Phone scam targets Washington health professionals

wsvma   |   Professional News

The Washington State Department of Health (department) has been notified that scam artists are calling various health professionals across the state claiming suspicious activity with their license. Reports indicate that scammers are using department phone numbers as their own. This appears to be part of a larger extortion scheme related to scammers posing as government officials. This is not how the department or boards/commissions operate, and all health professionals should be skeptical of anyone making such demands. Please be aware that the...

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31 October

Zoetis acquires Phoenix Central Laboratory

wsvma   |   Professional News

Zoetis announced yesterday they completed their acquisition of veterinarian-owned Phoenix Central Laboratory in Mukilteo, WA. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Zoetis joins major players Idexx and Antech in the veterinary diagnostic lab space and sees the acquisition as an opportunity to increase their capabilities in veterinary point-of-care diagnostics. Phoenix Lab opened in 1989 to provide lab services to the local veterinary community. Shares of the company were sold only to Washington State licensed veterinarians and lab employees, creating...

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19 July

A New Graduate Playbook for Student Loans

wsvma   |   Professional News

On May 29, the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) and VIN Foundation hosted “2019 Veterinary New Graduate Student Loan Playbook,” a live webinar for new veterinary graduates, which presented the benefits of repaying student loans as soon as possible. Student Debt Expert Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA, reviewed step-by-step processes for the most effective ways to handle veterinary school loans upon graduation (HINT: it is not through refinancing). Check out the webinar and its accompanying blog to get the scoop on loan consolidation,...

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12 July

Colleges Are an Essential Partner in Solving the Student Debt Crisis

wsvma   |   Professional News

Educational debt in the United States now exceeds $1.5 trillion. Many experts believe this level of debt represents a substantial threat to future economic wellbeing. This debt-load is the result of decades of rising tuition costs that have occurred across the spectrum of higher education and professional school, and it has certainly affected academic veterinary medicine. In fact, we may be experiencing the impact of this societal problem sooner and more acutely in veterinary medicine than in other disciplines because of...

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05 July

WSU Pet Loss Hotline closes

wsvma   |   Professional News

The Pet Loss Hotline, a service of Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, was discontinued on July 1. The service had been provided to animal owners whose beloved pets are facing terminal illness or recently passed away. The shutdown resulted from the overwhelming logistical and expertise demands of operating a call back service available to an increasingly growing population. Additionally, volunteer WSU veterinary students who underwent special training to deal with callers facing pet loss only, encountered a greater number of...

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10 May

WSU receives accreditation for veterinary simulation program

wsvma   |   Professional News

Last month, WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine received accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare for the nation’s first-ever program developed for veterinary care. Used in the healthcare industry for years, WSU is the first veterinary college to use the simulation to provide hands-on simulated training in anesthesia, surgery, and emergency care including the critical aspects of communication in client interactions. Integrated simulations were introduced into WSU’s curriculum through the clinical communication program 11 years ago. Program director Dr. Julie...

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10 May

Join in World Pride 2019

wsvma   |   Professional News, WSVMA News

The Pride Veterinary Medical Community (VMC) is inviting the entire veterinary profession to gather up 400 participants on June 30, 2019 in New York City to march together during World Pride 2019. World Pride 2019 acknowledges the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising which took place over six nights in New York City after the police raided Stonewall Inn and attempted to arrest individuals trying to live their authentic selves. Join Pride VMC, their lead sponsors Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Zoetis,...

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15 March

Washington State University recognizes three veterinary faculty

wsvma   |   Professional News

Washington State University recently honored distinguished members of the University community, including three from the College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Dale Moore, Veterinary Clinical Sciences is the recipient of the 2019 Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award for outstanding achievement in outreach and engagement. The award is the university’s highest faculty honor. Dr. Anita Vasavada also received the 2019 Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award for outstanding achievement in instruction. Douglas R. Call, global animal health, was promoted to the rank of Regents Professor, which can...

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22 February

Large animal veterinarian needed for AVMA CVTEA

wsvma   |   Professional News

The AVMA is seeking a veterinarian to represent the Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Large Animal position on the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).  The CVTEA is the entity responsible for accrediting veterinary technology programs. CVTEA members must demonstrate the following criteria: Willingness to travel to 2-3 site visits per year in addition to two Committee meetings (spring/fall) at AVMA Headquarters in Schaumburg, IL A concerned interest in veterinary technician education. Demonstrated skill in...

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04 January

WSVMA president highlights activities to ring in the new year

wsvma   |   Continuing Education, Legislative, Professional News, WSVMA News

Welcome to 2019!  One of the first events of the year is the opening of the Washington State Legislative Session beginning January 14th 2019.  The first bill to be presented is the WSVMA’s HEAL-WA bill. The WSVMA’s Heal-WA legislation grants veterinarians and veterinary technicians access to online medical publications. The 2018 Washington State Legislature adjourned in late March, but the WSVMA bill couldn’t compete with the over 800 bills introduced into the short 60-day session and our bill never made...

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