Summer 2020 Newsletter
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
SUMMER 2020 NEWSLETTER PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE What a strange time to live! Widespread speakers uncertainty, even fear, seems to be the norm in gracious- the world, dealing with a new illness that can be ly had totally innocuous in the vast majority of people, confirmed TABLE but steals the very breath of an unfortunate few. either of As medical professionals, we are called to be a moving to CONTENTS voice of calm reason amidst the fear and chaos. the August dates and par- Times like these highlight what social creatures Association News .......... 2 ticipating in person we truly are. I was semen testing bulls for a or participating virtually, but it was not to be. In young family, and I was trying to explain that light of the expense and complexity of offering Membership Renewal ..3 social distancing is bad for the elderly. He was webinars, your board decided to simply post aghast that his teacher had told him it was good! available opportunities on the MVMA website. Membership News ........6 Then I quickly explained my point that it is the Your executive board also mind and emotions that suffer when we’re alone. has sent a letter to the We were created for fellowship, and to see people veterinary board strongly Power of Ten Leadership looking upon each other with trepidation in the Program ........................8 supporting that the regu- grocery store, stony glances warning off any latory board accept online familiarity, my heart breaks. We can maintain Member Spotlight ..........9 continuing education for physical separation and distance, but we must all 20 hours of the CE re- not distance ourselves emotionally. quired for license renewal MT Board of Veterinary this cycle. They will meet Medicine Updates ... 10 I’ve been part of a series of emails being exchanged by small animal clinics in the August 31 and inform us of Flathead Valley, and truly gratified that those their decision. Montana Department of clinics are offering help and support to each Livestock COVID-19 Thank you so much for other, willing to care for what animals need Update ..........................12 placing the trust and care and wanting to do it without trying to get Beth Blevins, DVM confidence in me to serve 2019-2020 the folks needing help to transfer to the helping as the MVMA President. I MVMA President An Australian clinic as a new client. Compassion for colleagues Adventure .................. 14 certainly was disappointed Ronan, Montana and clients eloquently discussed in the emails that I couldn’t finish with encouraged me once again that ours is the best WIMU Updates............. 18 a good meeting spent with you, my colleagues profession ever! and my friends. One bright spot has been getting I encourage everyone to stay connected to loved to know Jenny Bloomquist, our new den mother. Trish Browning ones and friends. Phone calls are safe! Hearing She is truly an inspiration and has definitely Achieves CVPM ...... 19 a voice may be more comforting than an email, jumped into the deep end with all the scheduling being able to see each other via our modern face and rescheduling, writing and rewriting that has 2020 Scholarship to face communication forms may be best of all! I plagued our endeavors this year. A big thank Winners ......................20 think I prefer the term physical distancing to social you to Jenny and Stuart for their work above and distancing, as the latter evokes feelings of loneli- beyond as we’ve navigated this year. AVMA PLIT ...................22 ness and an emotionally unhealthy isolation. Moving forward to 2021, I hope to see you at the In the interests of keeping everyone safe, we exciting Winter Meeting Cara Voss has planned moved the summer MVMA meeting to August. for us and that the trials and difficulties of 2020 Now, with a resurgence of COVID-19 and new are in the rear-view mirror! Thank you again! restrictions, our meeting will not happen. The 406-447-4259 | www.mtvma.org | [email protected] | PO Box 6322 | Helena, Montana 59604 ASSOCIATION NEWS MVMA Regrettably Forced to Cancel Request for Temporary Extension Summer Meeting and Online Options for CE Licensing The MVMA Board of Directors has regrettably Requirements Sent to Montana Board of been forced to cancel the Summer Meeting Veterinary Medicine which was previously rescheduled for August On July 20, MVMA sent a letter to the Montana 27-29 in Missoula. Given the rise in COVID Board of Veterinary Medicine requesting an cases, the majority of the meeting speakers and extension of the November 1, 2020 deadline for vendors were recently prohibited from traveling Continuing Education (CE) requirements for MVMA Posts and participating in person. In addition, the license renewal given the impact the COVID-19 Online CE Missoula County Health Department’s evolving pandemic has had on Montana veterinarians’ Opportunities meeting restrictions would have made the ability to obtain in-person CE credits. on Website gathering prohibitive. To assist members in Furthermore, the Association requested the sourcing online CE MVMA leadership and staff made a valiant board temporarily suspend the rule requiring opportunities, MVMA effort to execute an in-person event and “No more than ten of the 20 hours to be is posting industry discussed proceeding with a virtual format, obtained through online courses” to allow all and university virtual education events on the but determined it was not a cost efficient and 20 credits to be obtained online for the current Association website: viable option at this time. The Board extends license renewal cycle. www.mtvma.org. its sincere appreciation to Dr. Beth Blevins for In the letter, MVMA President Blevins stated, the time and effort she devoted to planning “The MVMA and our membership take our an outstanding event for the membership and obligation to protect the health, safety, and regrets the ultimate outcome. welfare of the public very seriously and realize The Association also wishes to thank the the importance of obtaining informative and members and allied partners who registered for quality Continuing Education in fulfilling that the event. While refunds have been issued to charge, particularly interactive and hands-on all those who registered, if you have questions seminars. However, with our current world about the process or did not receive a refund, human health crisis, we acknowledge in- please contact Jenny Bloomquist, Association person participation in such events during the Coordinator, at 406-447-4259 or jennyb@ upcoming months will be restricted and, as montana.com. The Missoula Hilton Garden Inn such, request the Montana Board of Veterinary will cancel reservations with no penalties, but Medicine consider extending the period of time members are encouraged to call the hotel (406- licensees have to complete CE requirements 532-5300) as soon as possible to cancel. and temporarily suspending the in-person attendance requirement.” MVMA will now focus on hosting a Winter Meeting, under the direction of Dr. Cara Voss, The Montana Board of Veterinary Medicine will January 23-25 at the Best Western GranTree Inn meet virtually on August 31 and will consider in Bozeman. The meeting will be expanded to this request. include a limited number of trade show exhibits, as well. Watch for registration information this fall. 2 2020-2021 Membership Renewal 2020-2021 Process Underway MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Earlier this spring, the MVMA Board agreed to postpone the proposed dues increase MVMA Needs Your Support! until next year and delay the dues renewal Dear MVMA Member, process until August in consideration I want to take this opportunity to thank you for of the financial challenges posed by the being a Montana Veterinary Medical Association COVID pandemic. Online membership member. Your membership is vitally important renewal notices have now been emailed to the future of our great profession. Organized to all members. Your prompt reply is veterinarians involved in national, state and appreciated to ensure the Association can specialty organizations have allowed us to maintain meet its upcoming financial commitments the high professional standards that make us the and continue to provide valuable services, most respected profession in the world. including advocating for the profession on Ed Peretti, DVM 2020-2021 the state level. Please read incoming MVMA As a member of the MVMA you receive: MVMA President President, Dr. Ed Peretti’s, renewal request • Biannual continuing education conferences at bargain rates; featured to the right. If you prefer to send in your membership renewal with a check, • Exclusive lobbyists that protect our Practice Act; please submit the renewal form found on • Continual legislative updates for members only; page 4 at your earliest convenience. • Free classified advertising on our website; Dr. Ed Peretti Seated as 2020-2021 • Newsletters that are pertinent to issues in our state; MVMA President • Free member listing on the MVMA website; During a July 23rd conference call, the • Discounted services for disability insurance, credit card and MVMA Board of Directors voted to proceed payroll processing and debt collections; with seating President Elect Dr. Ed Peretti • Involvement in MVMA committees; as the 2020-2021 MVMA President during its upcoming August virtual Board meeting. • Networking with colleagues and classmates; Dr. Peretti was slated to assume the role • Power of Ten Leadership workshops for recent graduates; during the Summer Meeting, therefore, the • Covid-19 updates. Board decided this unprecedented situation required immediate seating. Your MVMA, guided by Executive Director Stuart Doggett and Association Coordinator, Jenny Bloomquist, is one of the most Dr. Peretti, of Amherst Animal Hospital respected and fiscally responsible organizations in our state. in Butte, succeeds Dr. Beth Blevins who has provided thoughtful and enthusiastic We are never as strong alone as we are together. Please renew your leadership during the past year.