Pulse - April 2022 - 4

PULSE PERSPECTIVE
VET4SPARTY@ME.COM
LIFE LEARNING
I
love being a student. " Wait, what? Karla, you graduated from vet school 30 years ago! You are
not a student? " Indeed, I am a student. In fact, our profession and our world dictate that we must
remain curious and be a student for life.
Do you learn something new every day? I certainly
do. Our patients can present with incredibly challenging
cases. This is not only true about the pets we see but
from our clients as well. I have been involved in some
form of veterinary medicine since (gulp) the late seventies
and I am telling you that pet owners (parents) have
changed dramatically. Their needs and expectations have
changed considerably. They are more educated and are
more aware about their pet's conditions and what current
therapies are available. Hence, we need to educate
ourselves to accommodate them as well.
Veterinary medicine is always evolving, and we need
to keep up with this fast pace.
Modern veterinary medicine has experienced tremendous
acceleration in the learning curve. The curve
is steep, and I see no indication of it leveling out. The
momentum that new information and treatments
become available is building, not declining. The early
adopters will have the edge and the late adopters will
have to play catch-up.
For the old timers out there, we could not imagine a
safe and side effect free injection that treats itching for
dogs. The recent innovations are game changers. Simply
put, my medical practice is different than it was 10 years
ago. How do we keep up on this ever-changing world?
My favorite way is through CE seminars where I can
combine travel and education. I am one of those students
that needs to sit in the front row and take notes with different
colored pens. In early March I had the privilege to
go to CVMA Spring Seminar in Yosemite. Not only is it
one of the most beautiful places on earth where you can
incorporate exercise but the most informative and current
information on dermatology and urology/nephrology
was available. Drs Craig Griffin and JD Foster gave
us practical information that we can use immediately in
our practices. I also was able to connect with my SoCal
vets as well.
If you are unable to take an extended leave from your
" I am still learning. "
- Michelangelo
4
practice, the SCVMA offers a wide variety of online
CE. There are good speakers on a broad range of topics.
Many of these are available during the lunch hour.
There are also full day seminars held on Sundays such
as the recently held One
Health Symposium or
the upcoming Conti
Symposium if you need
more CE credits. And
do not forget about our
monthly chapter meetings
sponsored by our
allied industries
where a satisfying
meal
and
camaraderie
is available.
In
addition,
the SoCal Veterinary
Manager's
hold a
monthly meeting
for clinic
managers and
team members,
and the subject
matter is always
pertinent. Yet
there is another
option
available.
My email
box constantly
has an alert
for quality CE
provided
by
our
tor
distribupartners.
Nationally
recognized
speakers
giving talks that run the gamut of veterinary topics.
We have other resources as well. Thank the heavens
for our medical specialists! I learn a lot from them. Just
because a colleague is 20 years my junior does not mean
they do not have a wealth of knowledge to share. The
specialty practice is a resource for the general practitioner
and an opportunity to gain experience.
This June I will be attending the CVMA PacVet conference
in San Francisco. I have already highlighted the
lectures I will be attending after the CVMA House of
Delegates meeting. If you are going, please say hello and
let me know what you have learned. I will be sitting in
the front row with my notebook and colored pens!
Karla Nichols
SCVMA President
APRIL 2022
PULSE

Pulse - April 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pulse - April 2022