This column was written by Rebecca Ruch-Gallie, DVM, AVMA delegate for CVMA and Curtis Crawford, DVM, AVMA alternate delegate for CVMA.
The first virtual AVMA VLC (Veterinary Leadership Conference) was successful. CVMA’s delegates and alternates were hard at work with the potential for eight resolutions and two VIF (Veterinary Information Forum) topics: Timing of Canine Spay/Neuter and Vet Med in the time of COVID. This summary shares an update on the governance portion of the conference.
Colorado is in District IX with Arizona, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Utah. CVMA is represented by Colorado’s own Dr. Melanie Marsden. She presided over the District Caucus Thursday night. Many issues were similar across the district. Clinics are overwhelmingly busy. State VMAs have been busy keeping on top of an ever-changing legal landscape and advocating for the profession to be safe and able to do the work that needs doing. Member needs continue to be a top concern and priority for all states. Two states are battling deregulation of veterinary medicine. Colorado was the only state to INCLUDE substance use training in the membership dues! And, no, we weren’t the only state with a requirement.
Eight resolutions went before the House. Details can be found at https://www.avma.org/about/hod-resolutions-and-proposed-bylaw-amendments. Resolutions 3, 4, and 7 passed unanimously. Resolutions 1 and 2 were referred back to the appropriate groups for further clarification. For R1, clarifying definitions were needed for campaigning and endorsing. For R2, the AVMA Board of Directors and staff were asked to further assess financial impact and member retention needs. R5 was amended to remove the restriction of multiple treatments and in-field efficacy records and the amended resolution passed unanimously. R6 passed with one dissension. R8 was submitted for consideration late and, given the number of resolutions and the virtual platform, the House voted to NOT waive the timing restrictions. This resolution will likely be addressed at the summer session in, hopefully, Minnesota.
A robust conversation about the VIF topics occurred. At this time, no recommendations about either topic came from the House of Delegates. The Animal Welfare Committee continues to monitor and incorporate new data into guidelines and will continue on the topic of elective surgeries. Both the AVMA at the national level and the CVMA at the state level continue to advocate for veterinarians in the time of COVID.
Resources for many topics related to COVID and practice can be found on the websites:
AVMA: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19
CVMA: https://www.colovma.org/covid-19/
Click here to learn more about how AVMA is governed.
