Indiana Veterinary Medical Association

Lisa A. Perius

IVMA Executive Director

On Sunday, May 12^th, the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association welcomed 64 new colleagues as they graduated from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Each year the IVMA president sends greetings to the new graduates on behalf of all their peers in veterinary medicine and this year was no exception for the Class of 2013.  Hugs, cheers, sighs of relief and smiles filled the graduation ceremony as they read the Veterinarian’s Oath. As they left the Purdue campus, I had to wonder, what’s next for them?

Some have jobs, some are still looking, others are heading off to residency programs.  It got me to thinking.  What does the profession hold for them?   

I took a look back at what some of them wrote in grant applications for scholarships earlier this semester. The question on the scholarship application for IVMA and Foundation scholarships read “Describe where veterinary medicine will be in 10 years and your role in the profession at that time”. 

After reading through all of the applications again, here are three themes that permeated the applications.

1. The value of the human/animal bond will be stronger than ever due in large part to continued advances in technology and healthcare delivery.  But some questioned, ‘how do we get our clients to value our opinions over what they read on the Internet?’  That is a great question…….
2. The One Health Initiative matters.  How is the environment impacted?  How do zoonotic diseases impact our health?  Where is the collaboration and partnership between professionals?
3. Feeding a growing population is critical.  The applicants questioned how they deliver food safely, educate the public on food animal medicine, and deliver of this efficiently? 

After reading through the applications again,  I thought to myself, veterinary medicine is in good hands.  Each generation faces challenges, and practice life won’t be easy – but these graduates are smart, prepared, and engaged in the issues of their generation. 

Hat’s off to them – IVMA will be here with them along the way………..

By Lisa A. Perius

IVMA Executive Director

I had the good fortune last weekend to attend the ASVMAE ThinkWorks meeting in Denver.  In case you wondering, ASVMAE stands for American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives (a mouthful!).  This is a great group of association management professionals from veterinary medical associations around the country.

Our thought-leader for the weekend covered how to message your association (or veterinary practice), what are website best practices, and what do the changing generations portend for our communication and marketing work.  After 10 pages of notes, I came away with several key observations.

What is our “why” proposition?  What is the why of the IVMA?  Why do we exist?  I tried to answer this by saying what I believe – that if the IVMA didn’t exist, where would Indiana veterinarians connect and engage? Where would the heart and soul of your profession exist?  Sure there are lots of options, but we want IVMA to be your “partner” for life along the path of your veterinary career.  IVMA is in your backyard – we get why it’s important that you have a successful and profitable career.  It is a responsibility I take very seriously.  Maybe it’s a purpose IVMA doesn’t always communicate well, but we are going to work on that!

What do the generations tell us about communicating with each other?  Alot.  I am a Baby Boomer – my sons are Millenials.  Boy do we look at the world differently.  Well guess what – so do our association members (and so do your clients)!  IVMA has to deliver our “why” proposition to everyone on the spectrum.  This is the best way for IVMA to be your “partner” in your professional career.  I look forward to this challenge.

Is perception reality?  First impressions matter.  We learned that your website (veterinary practice or VMA) is a window into the world and culture of your practice (or association). Websites still remain the gateway of connection.  Is it beautiful, simple and effective? Does it provide a call to action for the reader?  A little time and review here could garner you more new clients for your practice.

Look for more to come from the IVMA in the months ahead.

It is why we are here.

The Indiana Animal Health Foundation (IAHF) is pleased to announce the creation of the Service Animal Support (SAS) Program.  The SAS Program is established to help ensure a source of funding for service animals and fire/police department animals cared for by IVMA members.  The SAS Program highlights the partnership between veterinarians, their clients and pet owners who understand the benefit and power of a service animal in our society. Service animal is defined in the American with Disabilities Act.   Fire and police department service animals, both active and retired, are eligible for the SAS Program.

Funding for the SAS Program is primarily through generous donations from veterinarians, pet owners and animal lovers.  All funds donated directly to this project will be re-directed to fulfill grant applications for reimbursement of services.  Both the IAHF and Dr. Ed Sommers have committed generous funds to establish an endowment for this program. 

An IVMA member who treats a service or police/fire service animal can apply for a grant to the SAS program for wellness examinations, vaccinations, routine lab tests such as fecal exams and heartworm tests, as well as expenses for sick and emergency cases.  Funds are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis each year.  To be considered, you should submit a Service Animal Support Grant Application.  Completed application forms will be reviewed by the SAS Oversight Committee.  If the application is approved, the veterinarian will collect the release and consent form from the client and submit the form to SAS.  Grant payments are paid directly to the veterinarian upon SAS’s receipt of an invoice and the signed release and consent form.  Payment will not be made to other providers beyond licensed veterinarians.  Payment under no circumstances will be made directly to the client.  Since the amount is less than $600, SAS is not required to issue a Form 1099 for grant awards. Veterinarians must be members of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association to participate in the SAS Program.  Participating clinics must publicize the program in their practices by displaying posters and making available brochures to their clients. 

The IAHF is very excited to establish this program.  More information and grant applications can be found online at www.invma.org.  If you wish to make a donation to the program, mail donations to IAHF, 201 S. Capitol Avenue, Suite 405, Indianapolis, IN, 46225.

On Monday, July 23, 2012, the IVMA held its first “Power of 11” (POTL) program at Elanco headquarters in Greenfield, IN.  The POTL program is a new leadership training effort designed for new graduates of veterinary school who have graduated within the past 6 years.  POTL will be a 7 month program where different modules/topics are featured each month (either face-to-face meetings or webinars).  The culmination of POTL will be a “graduation” during the IVMA Annual Meeting in February, 2013, in Indianapolis. Modules will include communication development, compassion fatigue, time management, financial issues, goal-setting, and a review of legal issues. 

The program is facilitated by Dr. Marybeth Feutz, Princeton, and Lisa Perius.  Most importantly –we have 11 terrific recent graduate participants who are willing to dedicated the time and energy to improving their skills and veterinary career.

The first training module featured the “Insights” training program – basically what are your personality traits and how to define them in others! It was an interactive, enlightening day of review and learning.  A collegiality seemed to develop amongst the participants. 

The ultimate goal of the program is to enrich the lives of our members, one member at a time.  Stay tuned for continued updates on our successes and interactions!

Recently, I had a member call the office to ask about renewing his IVMA membership for 2012.  He had been a member for a few years, but was seriously considering whether to rejoin for 2012. I got the sense that he was scrutinizing all of his expenses to determine the best places to spend his hard-earned dollars.

I spent a few minutes explaining to him what he receives for his membership – the newsletter, online information, email blasts, legal questions answered, legislative coverage, quality continuing education, public education advocacy, etc.   I told him that by calling the IVMA 800#, you almost have a virtual one call, get an answer, resource.

But, by being on the phone, I was able to articulate to him one of the hardest things to put into words – your membership can prevent the “what ifs”.  The intangible benefits of membership are so hard to explain, quantify, and capture ~ but the IVMA voice is there when legislative issue arises, public health/disasters occur, and the media calls. 

If he had had more time on the phone, I also could have explained the collegial benefits of being involved in organized veterinary medicine. In my 16 years here, I have seen many veterinary friendships blossom because of their involvement on a committee, the board of directors, or task force.  This is just another in a long list of intangible benefits of membership.

We hung up the phone and I hoped I won him over to renew his membership. 

The next week, he mailed his dues check to IVMA. 

By Lisa A. Perius, IVMA Executive Director

Last Thursday – Saturday, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the national Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) meeting at its West Lafayette campus. Over 1000 veterinary students from veterinary colleges around the country attended. I had the distinct honor of welcoming them to Indiana on behalf of our Association at the opening ceremonies.  It was a pleasure to tell them about the value of organized veterinary medicine, wherever they end up living and working.

In working at the IVMA booth that afternoon in the Exhibit Hall, I had the chance to chat with students visiting from all over the US.  It was so fun to see their enthusiasm and energy for veterinary medicine (even after some had driven straight through from all over to get to West Lafayette!).  We talked about the weather (which was fantastic), the demands of school, and what they wanted to do after graduation.  I am not an expert, but in talking with these students, it seems to me that the future of veterinary medicine is in very good hands.

But this leads me to the presentation given by Dr. Sandy Amass at the opening convocation. Her talk was about “What We’re All About”, and it really made the students, the faculty present, the AVMA dignitaries, and frankly me, think  – what are we all about?  Regardless of your profession, there are trailblazers that went before you, and now, as Dr. Amass stressed, the future rests with you.  Veterinary medicine is so rich and diverse; so many barriers have been broken in the profession. But she challenged the students – what’s next?  What will be your mark on the profession?

What is your mark on the profession?  It’s a great lesson, not only for the students – but for each of us.

The IVMA recently hosted their 128th Annual Meeting. Each year, the organization takes times to recognize animals and Indiana residents who have made a significant impact within our communities. This year, the IVMA was pleased to present the following Animal Welfare Awards:

The Companion Animal of the Year Award: This award is given to an animal that best exemplifies the affection, loyalty, security and value of the human-animal bond. It is presented to salute and promote the pets of Indiana and the veterinarians who care for them. This year, the IVMA is pleased to honor Sheldon, a delightful Golden Retriever from St. Joseph County, with this award.

The Hero Award: This award honors animals who have distinguish themselves through acts of great courage and heroism. This award is presented to former Terre Haute K-9, Shadow. This past summer, Shadow alongside Officer Long, were serving a warrant on the north side of Terre Haute. A shooting broke out and officer Long was fatally wounded. However, Shadow acted as a warrior on site, fulfilling his duty and helping to apprehend the assailant, despite taking a bullet to his jaw. Shadow is making a strong recovery and will forever be a great example of performing great actions of courage and heroism.

The IVMA Guardian Award: The Guardian Award is presented to pay tribute to an Indiana resident promoting the advancement of animal welfare issues throughout outstanding service, education, or research. This year the award was presented to Carol Riewe. Not only has Carol given her own time and resources, she has opened her home and property to offer services to the community, taking in 50 to 100 birds annually. She is a strong animal advocate within her community, offering seminars to promote the importance of raptors in our environment.

The Agricultural Animal Welfare Award: As a new award to the IVMA, this award is presented to an Indiana resident who provides exemplary care to agricultural animals and who has significantly improved the welfare of agricultural animals in our state. This year, the award was presented to the CEO of Midwest Poultry Services, Bob Krouse.

The Veterinary Service Award: As a another new award to the IVMA this year, it honors an IVMA member who has demonstrated extraordinary care and service improving the welfare of Indiana animals. This year, the Veterinary Service Award was presented to Dr. Minerva Anderson for her gumption, resourcefulness, determination and leadership; not only to her local Humane Society, but to her everyday life.

(Source: invma.org)