PVMA Keystone Veterinarian Fall 2020 - 9

Delegates Meeting
Photo credit: AVMA.org/about/house-delegates

Veterinary Information Forum (VIF)
Veterinary Medicine in the Aftermath of Covid-19
Veterinarians around the country expressed similar concerns
in many areas of the profession including team wellbeing
and mental health concerns secondary to an overwhelming
workload, personal safety concerns and parental responsibilities,
economic ramifications, drug shortages, and telemedicine.
Additionally, concerns for students and new graduates were
discussed including barriers to licensing, student preparedness
due to decreased clinical experience and the important need for
mentorship in a changing educational world.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
As many members of the profession are aware, a petition calling
for improved action on DEI initiatives was presented to the
AVMA by ten affinity organizations, which have now become
known as Veterinary Medicine Interconnected (VMI). A video
highlighting experiences of minority members of the veterinary
profession produced by these organizations was premiered to
the members of the HOD.
Prior to the HOD meeting, AVMA leadership met with leaders
from these organizations and established a timeline for hiring
a DEI consultant to assess the organization's work and create a
commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Additionally, the following recommendations to the Board of
Directors were proposed by Reference Committee 6 (approved):
* Establish diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as its own
strategic focus for the Association.

* Collaborate with key stakeholders, including the Veterinary
Medicine Interconnected (VMI) affinity group among
others, to establish a profession-wide entity to examine
and take action on DEI issues affecting the veterinary
profession.
* Provide timely and regular communications to update
the HOD and AVMA/SAVMA membership on progress on
addressing DEI at the Association and in the profession.
* Promote AVMA DEI resources to its members and to
SAVMA.

Change in Leadership
As a new association year begins, the roles of AVMA president,
president-elect, and vice president (2-year term) were filled by
newly elected officers.
* President: Dr. Douglas Kratt
* President-Elect: Dr. José Arce (the first native of Puerto Rico
to hold this office)
* Vice-President: Dr. Sandra Faeh
Additionally, two veterinarians announced their candidacy for
the 2021-2022 president-elect position, Dr. Grace Bransford and
Dr. Lori Teller.
It is our honor to represent the veterinarians of Pennsylvania in
the AVMA House of Delegates, and we encourage you to contact
us at bit.ly/AVMAdelegate with any questions or concerns
regarding the AVMA and its programs.

* Retain outside DEI expertise to help identify areas of
greatest need, set priorities, and utilize Association
resources most effectively in this area.
Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association | 9
http://www.bit.ly/AVMAdelegate
PVMA Keystone Veterinarian Fall 2020

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