Professional News

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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18 May

Veterinary Board of Governors sets temporary policies for VCPR/Virtual Care and Continuing Education

wsvma   |   Continuing Education, COVID-19, Professional News

The Veterinary Board of Governors released two new COVID-19 related policies today. One allows unlimited use of online continuing education through December 31, 2020. The other lifts some restrictions in the Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship rule to facilitate access to veterinary services during the COVID-19 emergency. VCPR Policy: VBOG VCPR COVID-19 Policy Stmt FINAL_5.15.20.pdf To address the difficulties related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that impact licensed veterinarians with regard to establishing a veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) in Washington State, the Veterinary Board...

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03 April

Dr. Katrina Mealey receives Lloyd E. Davis Award

wsvma   |   Professional News

Dr. Katrina Mealey, received the 2019 Lloyd E. Davis Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements in research, teaching, and professional service in veterinary pharmacology. She’s an expert in the field of pharmacogenomics and is currently associate dean for research, a professor, and chair in small animal medicine and research at WSU College of Veterinary Medicine. The Lloyd E. Davis Award is presented every other year at the American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics Biennial to recognize outstanding lifetime achievements...

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28 February

Veterinary Futures Commission Charts Course for Future Success in the Profession

wsvma   |   Professional News

A joint commission created by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) has 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 research...

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07 February

Changes to veterinary technician CE requirements happen this month

wsvma   |   Professional News

The Veterinary Board of Governors approved amendments to existing regulations for licensed veterinary technicians that will go into effect on Feb. 28, 2020. The amendments modernize veterinary technician continuing education rules and streamline requirements. Changes to the rule include: The reporting period will change from three years to two years and the total number of required hours changes from 30 hours to 20 hours over the two-year period. Technicians can obtain CE from an expanded list of providers. A minimum...

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17 January

Veterinarians and practice managers needed for mock interviews

wsvma   |   Professional News

WSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) is holding mock job interviews for third-year students before they begin searching for their first job. Students will experience one to two mock interviews with practitioners and managers from all over the state. The students need help to put on this exciting event. As a practitioner or office manager please consider participating by giving these mock interviews in person or via Skype. The event will take place in Pullman on...

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10 January

Lawsuit: CFPB Ignores Mismanagement of Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program

wsvma   |   Professional News

Chris Arnold of National Public Radio provided the latest details Nov. 25 on a lawsuit filed by the nonprofit student loan group, Student Debt Crisis, against the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Bureau (CFPB): “The lawsuit…alleges that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has abandoned its obligation to oversee companies that manage student loans, in particular a troubled loan forgiveness program.” Natalia Abrams, the founder of the Student Debt Crisis said: "We are suing the Department of Education and the CFPB because...

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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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