Spring 2017 by Michigan Veterinary Medical Association

m i c h i g a n v e t e r i n a r y m e d i c a l a s s o c i at i o n

DR. BRUCE COZZENS

Meet MVMA’s New President

in this issue . . . 2

Companion Animal Fund: Applications Now Open

Change to Regulations for Large-Scale Dog Breeders, Pet Shops & Animal Shelters

Employment Practices Related to Pregnancy

Medical Record Keeping for Optimal Patient Care

14 16

Outsourcing!

Great Lakes Veterinary Conference

Make a Team Committment to Forward Booking

2016 Animal Welfare Conference

File Your Annual Controlled Substance Inventory

elcome to version 2017 of the MVMA. I am the senior partner in a small animal practice in Traverse City. For the past 46 years, I have been focused on the task of meshing my personal skill set with learning and practicing medicine and surgery. Like many of my peers, I have become well-acquainted with the array of emotions that seem to accompany busy veterinarians: excitement, fear, confidence, doubt, anxiety, triumph, and satisfaction to name a few. During my first decade of hospital ownership I expected the excitement of a busy practice to comfortably override the negative emotions that occur with any health service business. I was wrong. My academic performance was historically strong, but apparently my life skills were average as I constantly harbored a low level of stress and agitation that diminished my appreciation of practice and life. Specifically, I had a rough time balancing work and play. My culture suggested the more hours I worked, the more satisfaction and enjoyment I would find with life. I didn’t think I was a workaholic, but some friends suggested as much and others stopped seeking my company as I was rarely available to socialize. The late 1980s were a pivotal time in my professional growth, as I purposefully set out a plan to find work/life balance between home and office. The family balance was easy to regulate as my enduring wife held me accountable to my time commitments. The attempts to reduce my practice stressors, however, took substantially more effort. I decided to focus on three actions: schedule, attend and network. I was determined to improve my sad attendance at local and regional veterinary meetings. I forced myself to schedule and appear at three to four CE seminars every year. But most importantly, I challenged myself to meet two to three new colleagues at each professional meeting I attended. These see activities have played an integral role in cultivating satisfaction throughout ugghout my veterinary career. The following points summarize my thoughts ugghts on how to find great joy and contentment within your chosen profession: offession: n

How You Can Make a Difference for Your Associates n

Excellence is limited in any person without u intellectual chalut lenges delivered by a diversity of people and n ideas. Invest in nd networking. Knowledge is a powerful tool of change. Itt serves as a driver of invigoration, motivation, and innovation.. Your knowledge can impact the world. Invest in education. Professional associations offer a unique sense e ense of community. Those that are well-organized and effectively veely administered provide CE events, networking platforms,, socialization, and other tangible and intangible beneﬁts. Invest v in your vest association.

I look forward to serving our great profession as president of the MVMA. Let us know how we can better serve you.

back cover

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

volume xi i · number 1 · spr ing 2 0 1 7

Professional excellence. Compassionate care. 2144 Commons Pkwy., Okemos, MI 48864-3986 tel (517) 347-4710 · fax (517) 347-4666 email mvma@michvma.org web www.michvma.org facebook www.facebook.com/ilovemyvet twitter www.twitter.com/michiganvma youtube www.youtube.com/michiganvma pinterest www.pinterest.com/michvma instagram www.instagram.com/welovemivets Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. Deadlines are the ﬁrst of the preceding month. editors Karlene B. Belyea, MBA

•

Sheri Fandel

2017 mvma officers & directors officers Dr. Bruce Cozzens, President Dr. Lori Penmans, President-Elect Dr. Mike Thome, 1st Vice President Dr. Melissa Owings, 2nd Vice President Dr. Kevin Stachowiak, Immediate Past President Dr. Kathleen Smiler, AVMA Delegate Dr. Stephen Steep, AVMA Alternate Delegate Karlene Belyea, MBA, Chief Executive Ofﬁcer directors representing districts Dr. Joyce Balnaves, (1) Southern Dr. Kristin Knirk, (2 & 3) Michiana & Southwestern Dr. Erin Whalin, (4) Jackson Dr. Lauren Gnagey, (5 & 9) Washtenaw & Livingston Dr. Christian Ast, (6 & 8) Wayne & Oakland Dr. Julie Sherman (7) Macomb Dr. Dana Tatman-Lilly, (10) Mid-State Dr. Chad Ackerman, (11) Western Dr. Joe Kline, (12) Saginaw Dr. Tom Michalek, (13) Thumb Dr. Anne Shuff, (14) Northeastern Dr. Marcia Izo, (15) Northern directors representing associations Dr. Jeff Bunn, MI Equine Practitioners Dr. Steven Bailey, Southeastern Michigan VMA at-large directors Dr. Erin Howard, Food Animal Dean John Baker, MSU CVM Dr. Claire Hankenson, Lab Animal Medicine layout / design Charlie Sharp/Sharp Des!gns, Lansing, MI printing & mailing BRD Printing, Lansing, MI n The Michigan Veterinary Medical Association represents the veterinary profession in Michigan, advances the knowledge and standards of its membership, and promotes the science, practice, and value of veterinary medicine for the beneﬁt of animal and human health.

COMPANION ANIMAL FUND

Let us help your struggling clients pay for their animal’s care.

he Michigan Animal Health Foundation (MAHF) is the nonprofit arm of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, created to allow those who love animals an opportunity to donate money to help improve animal health and well-being. Since 1977, the Foundation has funded almost 50 pioneering research and educational grants. MAHF is launching a new funding opportunity designed to support veterinarians and pets in need. MAHF’s new Companion Animal Fund will be subsidizing non-elective veterinary care for pets whose owner would otherwise be unable to afford it. MVMA veterinary hospitals are eligible to receive up to $500 per client and a total of up to $500 per clinic/hospital per year. Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis until the year’s supply has

run out and will begin again at the start of the next year. We hope to expand both funding and eligibility in the future and increase the total funds allotted per clinic/ hospital. Companion animals of clients under the federal poverty level, on Medicaid, or on WIC (Women, Infants & Children) are eligible and MAHF will begin accepting applications from clinics April 1, 2017. For detailed information, applications and instructions, visit our new website at www. MichAnimalHealthFoundation.org. Currently we are seeking donations from the public and others that would like to work with us. We are also looking for a large donor to help name our fund. If you or someone you know would like to help with this initiative, please let us know. All donations are tax-deductible. Contact us at mahf@michvma. org or call (517) 347-4710.

Michigan Legislative Update

Food Animal Practice Committee Update

he 99th Michigan Legislature ofﬁcially began session on Wednesday, January 11 after closing 2016 with a rather uneventful lame duck session. However, the Governor’s top priority of energy reform was successfully completed. The Republicans will maintain control of the Governor’s ofﬁce, Senate, and House of Representatives for the 2017–18 legislative session. The MVMA legislative team used lame duck period as an opportunity to amend the continuing medical education legislation (House Bill 4408) that was signed into law by Governor Snyder in March of 2016. As you may recall, hb 4408 amended the Public Health Code to require a veterinarian seeking renewal of a veterinarian’s license or a veterinary technician’s license to furnish the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs with evidence that he or she had attended at least 45 hours or 15 hours, respectively, of continuing education courses approved by the Board of Veterinary Medicine during the preceding three years. However, the bill’s effective date was problematic for individuals seeking to renew in 2017. With that said, the MVMA found a vehicle bill moving through the legislative process to change the effective date to January 1, 2020. While this was easier said than done, the end result was positive

he MVMA Food Animal Practice Committee met on December 1 and discussed a wide variety of issues including the new Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) changes effective January 1, 2017. By now, most practicing veterinarians have had to complete a VFD. If you have any questions, check out the MDARD website at http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7125-1568_2387_74206---,00.html. MDARD is working on a survey for veterinarians to determine if individuals would be willing to assist producers in underserved areas to complete a VFD. The committee discussed ideas on how MVMA might become more involved with 4-H and FFA programs in an effort to better educate young people on production medicine. The group is considering creating

for our veterinarians. During the upcoming legislative session, the MVMA looks forward to pursuing legislative opportunities to beneﬁt the profession, as well as serve as a backstop to policies that may negatively affect the profession. Fortunately, we have one of our own, Dr. Hank Vaupel serving in the House of Representatives; Dr. Vaupel will be critical with helping educate his fellow colleagues on issues important to veterinarians. On another note, the Republican Caucus has elected third-term Representative Tom Leonard (R-DeWitt) Speaker of the House. On the Democratic side, Representative Sam Singh (D-Lansing) was chosen by the caucus as House Minority Leader. On the Senate side, Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) and Sen. Jim Ananich (D-Flint), respectively, will continue to lead their caucuses. Lastly, Governor Snyder gave his annual State of the State address on January 17 and used the speech as an upbeat message on the forward progress the state has made over the past six years. The priorities he laid out were mobility, infrastructure, workforce development, and the growing of communities. While the speech is given in broader terms, more speciﬁc details will emerge as the legislative process begins moving forward. —Matt Breslin, Karoub Associates, MVMA’s Lobbyist

a resource page on the MVMA website with links to relevant information. With mandatory continuing medical education in Michigan, the committee discussed expanding CE programs for food animal veterinarians. More information on that topic will be coming soon. Finally, we created an email survey to send to practicing veterinarians to assess what you believe should be the topics and areas of concern of the Food Animal Practice Committee. We are seeking ideas as to how our committee can stay relevant in this new technology age. If you are interested in seeing the survey results, contact Karlene Belyea at belyea@michvma.org. —Steve Edwards DVM, DABVP (dairy), Food Animal Practice Committee Member

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

the michigan veterinarian Âˇ spring 2017

LARGE-SCALE DOG BREEDERS, PET SHOPS, & ANIMAL SHELTERS

Changes to Regulations

rotecting the health of Michigan’s animals is a common goal for both veterinarians and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Animal Industry Division. Frequently, the Animal Industry Division accomplishes this work under the authority of enacted laws, using continuous outreach and industry partnerships. This past December, Public Act 287 of 1969 was amended to broaden its scope to include large-scale dog breeders (15 or more female breeding dogs) and modify current import regulations for these facilities. This law takes effect March 29, 2017, and veterinarians should communicate the following to their clients in regards to pet shops, registered animal shelters, and large-scale dog breeders: n

An interstate certiﬁcate of veterinary inspection is required to bring dogs and cats into the state. Other species still have interstate CVI requirements not included under these changes. Dogs and cats must be eight weeks of age or older to be brought into Michigan. Shelters and breeders may bring in a younger animal, if they are brought in with their mother. Dogs and cats must be eight weeks of age or older to be either offered for sale or

actually sold, exchanged, or transferred. This does not apply to registered shelters. Before a dog is brought into Michigan, it must be vaccinated against distemper, parvovirus, and canine adenovirus-2. Additionally, dogs 12 weeks of age or older must also be vaccinated against rabies and leptospirosis. Before a cat is brought into Michigan, it must be vaccinated against feline panleukopenia, calici viruses, and feline herpes virus-1. Additionally, cats 12 weeks of age or older must also be vaccinated against rabies. All vaccinations—except rabies—must be administered seven or more days before the cat or dog enters Michigan. If external or internal parasites are identified, including fleas and mites, dogs and cats being brought into Michigan must be treated prior to entry. When a pet shop or large-scale breeder sells, exchanges, transfers, or delivers a dog, cat, or ferret to a buyer/purchaser, a valid Pet Health Certificate must be issued.

Rules regarding Pet Health Certiﬁcates include the following: n

The pet health certiﬁcate is a new form

distributed by MDARD under the amendments. Animal Shelters will not be required to provide a pet health certificate.Pet health certificates are valid for 30 days from the date the veterinarian examined the dog, cat, or ferret. A copy of the certificate is given to the person receiving the animal and the certificate is retained by the pet store or large-scale breeder. A pet health certificate is not the same as a CVI. If the animal is being received in another state, it may need a CVI (depending on receiving state’s requirements) in addition to a pet health certificate. Pet health certificates do not have to be written by an accredited veterinarian and are used when dogs, cats, or ferrets are sold, exchanged, transferred, or delivered in-state or out-of-state.

There are also additional requirements for records and annual licensing that will apply to large-scale dog breeders. If you have a client that could potentially be considered a large-scale dog breeder, please encourage them to contact the Animal Industry Division at (800) 292-3939. For the most current information on these changes, visit www.michigan.gov/ mdard. the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

Employment Practices Related to Pregnancy Shirlee M. Bobryk, White Schneider PC

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

lthough I admittedly have no statistical data on how many women are employed in the field of veterinary medicine in Michigan, I would venture to say that the majority are women. My assumption is premised upon a few simple facts in my own life rather than any analytical research. Those facts are threefold. First, my veterinarian is female. Having used the same veterinarian for approximately the past fifteen years, I have noted that the majority of individuals employed at my veterinarian’s clinic are also female. Second, my daughter, Marie, has just been accepted to veterinary school. (As an aside, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of the veterinarians and professionals in veterinary medicine who mentored her throughout the years and allowed her to observe you in your clinics and work with you in the muddy fields and barns.) The majority of students in Marie’s pre-vet club at college are young women. Third, the majority of veterinarians I have represented over the past twenty years or so are female. I have little doubt, therefore, that women are employed in large numbers in the practice of veterinary medicine. I would also venture to guess that many of those women employed in veterinary medicine are of childbearing age. Consequently, a basic understanding of the pregnancy discrimination laws may be of particular interest to all veterinarians and other female employees who work in the field of veterinary medicine. Under Title VII, an employer may not “discharge any individual, or otherwise . . . discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s . . . sex.”1 Discrimination “on the basis of sex” includes discrimination “because of or on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.”2 A pregnancy-related medical condition may include complications arising from pregnancy requiring bed rest. Or, it may include pregnancy-related symptoms such as back pain or pregnancy-induced high blood

pressure. Title VII also states that employers must treat “women affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions . . . the same for all employment-related purposes . . . as other persons not so affected but similar in their ability or inability to work.”3 Michigan has a corresponding state law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, gender, and disability.4 In short, employers must treat pregnant employees the same as it treats non-pregnant employees similar in their ability or inability to work. Pregnancy discrimination claims can also arise under other federal laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). If a woman is employed with an employer who is subject to the FMLA, she may take up to twelve weeks of FMLA leave for the birth of a child, for prenatal care and incapacity related to pregnancy.5 But the intricacies of the FMLA may be the subject of a separate article in the future. This article will not address FMLA issues. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Fiscal Year 2016 Enforcement and Litigation Data, $15.5 million was awarded to women who experienced pregnancy discrimination in the work place. And, that number does not include the monetary beneﬁts those women received through litigation. Obviously, to avoid being the victim of pregnancy discrimination or avoid being subject to monetary penalties for violating the pregnancy discrimination laws, it is important to know the basic tenets of those laws, as well as have a rudimentary understanding of what to do, and what not to do, when an employee who is pregnant needs some sort of an accommodation in the workplace. Here are some basic guidelines and practice suggestions on how to comply with those laws: n

As long as a pregnant employee can still work, the employer cannot force her to take a leave of absence. If the employer permits other employees who take disability leave the right to

return to their jobs when able to do so, the employer should provide the same right to women who go on a pregnancy leave. When they are able to return to work, return them to their same position. A pregnant woman who is unable to work is entitled to the same disability benefits, sick leave, and health insurance as other employees who are unable to work for other medical reasons. If an employer modifies job duties, provides alternative assignments, or grants disability leave to employees who are temporarily unable to perform their job because of a medical condition, the employer must treat a woman who is pregnant and temporarily unable to perform her job functions the same. If an employer requires its employees to provide a doctor’s note to demonstrate the need to be off work for medical reasons, the employer may require employees who have pregnancy-related conditions to do the same. Similarly, if an employee is required to provide medical documentation to substantiate the employee’s ability to return to work following a medical leave, the employer may require a doctor’s statement from a woman’s physician connected with pregnancy-related conditions. An employee who is absent due to a pregnancy-related condition cannot be required to exhaust vacation benefits before receiving sick leave pay or disability benefits unless the same requirement is imposed on an employee who is absent for other medical reasons. Employers may not assume that a pregnant employee is unable to perform the duties of her job because she is pregnant, even if the employer is merely concerned about her health and safety. An employment policy or practice that excludes from employment applicants or employees because of pregnancy or related medical conditions is prohibited by law. Cost or inconvenience are not generally acceptable reasons to refuse to provide

an accommodation. Even if the employer has a legitimate business reason to refuse to provide an accommodation to an employee with pregnancy-related conditions but accommodates a larger percentage of non-pregnant employees, it may put the employer at risk of violating the state or federal discrimination laws. Managing the myriad of discrimination laws that apply to pregnant women and employers who are asked to accommodate their medically-related conditions can be challenging especially for employers whose work force primarily consists of women. Perhaps the easiest question to ask when faced with the issue of whether and how to accommodate a pregnant employee who requests an accommodation is this: “If I would grant a non-pregnant employee’s request for an accommodation, why wouldn’t I grant the same or similar type of accommodation requested by a pregnant employee?” Providing reasonable accommodations to the known limitations of qualiﬁed pregnant employees and applicants for employment will protect employers and employees alike. The above guidelines and suggestions are not intended to replace competent legal advice necessary to protect and ensure compliance with the numerous discrimination laws. Each situation presents a unique set of facts that should be carefully analyzed. Please consult an experienced legal advisor to fully protect your rights and your business. NOTES 1. 2. 3. 4.

42 USC § 2000e–2(a)(1). 42 USC § 2000e–2(k). Ibid. Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights, MCL 37.2101 et seq. 5. 29 USC § 2612 (a)(1)(A).

MVMA partners with White Schneider PC to assist our members. If a member has a legal question, they first contact MVMA at mvma@ michvma.org or (517) 347-4710. If MVMA is unable to assist with the question, the member is referred to the law firm. Members receive free 15-minute telephone consultations as often as necessary. In addition, if a member decides to pursue legal action using the firm, they receive a 10% reduction on the attorneys’ customary billing rates.

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

Michigan Veterinary Conference

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

This year’s Michigan Veterinary Conference attracted over 1,500 attendees. In addition to the outstanding educational program and newly designed exhibit area, attendees were treated to a variety of receptions, social events, and CE venues. Attendees also took care of themselves and others at the conference by participating in yoga classes, adding notes to the Gratitude Board, coloring on large coloring boards, and “giving back” by donating to the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Watch for information on the 2018 Michigan Veterinary Conference. You won’t want to miss it!

platinum Zoetis

gold CareCredit Dechra Veterinary Products DVMelite IDEXX Merck Animal Health Merial MSU Veterinary Medical Center NestlĂŠ Purina PetCare

silver Aventix Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica CEVA Animal Health Elanco Animal Health Kinetic Vet O3 Vets

bronze Animal Neurology, Rehab & ER Center Animal Surgical Center of Michigan Oakland Veterinary Referral Services

the michigan veterinarian Âˇ spring 2017

Medical Record Keeping for Optimal Patient Care

t Sarah Babcock, DVM, JD President, Animal & Veterinary Legal Services PLLC

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

he old and often repeated adage, “if you didn’t document it you didn’t do it” has clear implications. You cannot prove you examined the patient, interpreted laboratory results or other diagnostics, and provided safe, appropriate, and timely care unless you document it in the medical record. Poor and incomplete documentation and client communication leads to the perception of poor patient care. A perceived failure in any of these areas or in any other facet of clinical practice may lead a client to pursue legal recourse. This may include a professional negligence or a veterinary malpractice lawsuit, or a complaint with the state veterinary medical board that prompts an investigation into a veterinarian’s conduct. According to the AVMA PLIT, the leading cause of malpractice claims in both human and veterinary medicine is

miscommunication. Departures from appropriate record keeping such as illegible notes, uses of phrases or abbreviations that may be misinterpreted, missing data or test results, and omissions of information can be used to create the impression that care was negligent. Importantly, these practices may also lead to actual diminished patient care. Alternatively, a good medical record will validate compliance to requirements including accreditation standards and regulations established by federal, state, and local agencies. As a legal document, the medical record contributes critical information that is needed to explain events and to defend a veterinary clinic and its staff in cases of a veterinary malpractice claim or license disciplinary action. The patient record is used to demonstrate that a veterinary patient client relationship exists. It can be used to help identify where interventions were needed based on the patient’s condition and response to treatment. If another veterinarian is asked to testify as an expert witness, they will use the information in the medical record to give an opinion as to if the care in question was consistent with what a reasonable veterinarian would have done in similar circumstances. If the standard of care deviates from what is customary or reasonable this may be used to show a veterinarian’s conduct fell below the acceptable standard of care. The absence of a medical record or specific documentation in the record such as detailed information about controlled substances that were administered may on its own be used to infer that a veterinarian was negligent. Medical records are an integral part of client communication and patient care. The medical record keeps the veterinary team informed about the patient’s condition and progress. It enables veterinary professionals to properly coordinate their efforts, which is especially important with multi-doctor practices and clients seeking the expertise of specialty practices. The medical record helps to ensure that timely decisions are made and communicated throughout the continuum of the animal’s care. Proficiency in communicating the medical and surgical aspects of patient care to your clients and subsequently documenting the care provided in the medical record will promote better patient care. Medical records may be improved by implementing medical record keeping programs in your veterinary clinic, developing office protocols, undertaking a close reading of state recordkeeping regulations and requirements, and improved supervision of the veterinary medical team. These requirements generally address the minimum expectations for content, format and types, ownership and control, confidentiality, and what a professional medical record entry should look like. It is important to invest time and resources to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the basics of medical record keeping and the requirements in your state. If you are interested in learning how you can become more proficient in communicating with clients and other veterinary medical colleagues, creating a legally defensible medical record, ensuring compliance with state, federal, and association rules and regulations that will result in improved patient care, please visit animalandveterinarylaw.com and click on the “courses” tab.

R 338.4921 Medical Records; Requirements. Rule 21 provides that a veterinarian who practices veterinary medicine in Michigan shall: n

n n

Maintain a medical record for each patient that accurately reﬂects the veterinarian’s evaluation and treatment of the patient. Make medical record entries in a timely fashion. Medical records contain legible entries and shall be retrievable. Maintain a medical record in either a written, electronic, audio, or photographic format. Maintain for medical records for a minimum of 3 years from the date of the last veterinary service.

Did you know?

In Michigan a jury may infer that a defendant veterinarian must be negligent and then decide whether such negligence was the proximate cause of the occurrence if a veterinarian fails to maintain a medical record for each patient that accurately reﬂect the veterinarian’s evaluation and treatment of the patient or a licensed prescriber dispenses controlled substances and fails to maintain records of the substances dispensed. A record for an individual patient, group, herd, or ﬂock shall document all of the following: n n n n

n n

n n n

Identiﬁcation Date of the last veterinary service. Name, address, and telephone number of the client. Location of patients, if not at the location of the veterinary practice. Reason for the contact including, but not limited to, the case history, problem and/or signs of a problem, and whether the contact was a routine health visit or an emergency call. Vaccination history, when appropriate and if known. Results of the physical examination and a list of abnormal ﬁndings. Laboratory reports and other reports, when appropriate. Diagnostic procedures utilized and the reports that pertain to these procedures. Procedures performed, including, but not limited to, surgery and rectal palpations. Daily progress notes, if hospitalized. Documentation of informed consent, if appropriate. Documentation of diagnostic options and treatment plans. Records of any client communication deemed relevant. Documentation of prescribed medication.

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER

Outsourcing!

our mother may have said to you “the company you keep is a reflection on you,” and she was right. Our success in life depends strongly on the caliber of our support systems. The most successful people spend time on their own area of strength and search for the best to carry out the tasks requiring more knowledge . . . in other words, they know what they don’t know. Now, enter the positives of outsourcing. You likely have already participated in classic outsourcing: n Do you handle all your accounting, finances and taxes or do you hire an accountant, a CPA, a financial advisor, or a tax specialist? n Do you rely on your legal prowess or do you hire an attorney when the stool sample hits the fan? n Do you trouble shoot your own technical computer issues or do you turn to an I.T. specialist?

And yet, when it comes to a task that can have the largest impact on the growth of the business, the management of your business, a practice owner often does one of the following things. Tries to practice medicine and actively manage the business end of their practice. DVMs are generally not taught management courses in veterinary school and have no experience successfully running a business. Before making this decision, ask yourself two things: n Is my main skill set and interest in business?, and n Would I have enough conﬁdence in my management skills to offer my services to another veterinary practice? If the answer to either question is no, why on earth would you want to manage your own business . . . your baby . . . your very livelihood and retirement? Attempts to hire an experienced manager. The short answer is good luck. The availability of talented and experienced veterinary practice managers within routine 14

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

driving distance of your practice is close to zero. They are out there but they are few and far between. Those who are qualified and available will often be drawn to larger practices in need of a full time manager and they are well compensated, as they should be. Hires a manager from an unrelated field. There are good managers out there who may be able to adapt. However, it is very difficult for a veterinary team to take direction from someone who does not understand the business. There are many unique aspects to our industry that do not relate to other businesses, even to human medicine. I have seen this attempt fail many times. Fills from within or hires a trusted family member. Most veterinary team members are in the business for the work with animals and end up unhappy when pulled out of that work and placed in a position of management. They have established co-worker relationships with others who are now their subordinates which often results in conflict. Even though they may be loyal and trustworthy, this does not make them capable of effectively managing and growing your business. They may know the ins and outs of your business which feels comfortable but it does not mean they are qualified to grow your practice. Hiring relatives brings a whole different set of problems starting with an immediate staff sense of them vs. us. Like current staff members, relatives usually have little management experience and often, even less industry experience. Relatives have a very tough road ahead of them when asked to manage a veterinary team.

A CLOSE LOOK AT THE MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS OF YOUR PRACTICE

The daily, weekly, and monthly management tasks are not the tasks that require big gun management skills. 75% of management tasks are very easy to assign to current staff members or assign to someone you have hired for this purpose if they are well trained to your way of doing it and held accountable for those tasks. These are functions such as sending out reminders, managing accounts receivable, monitoring inventory, etc. Each procedure is delegated with a written set of instructions and once the training method of “see it, assist with it, and then do it” is complete, then the administrator follows up to make sure it is getting done and getting done correctly. THE CRITICAL 25%

The ongoing health of the practice depends on the caliber of leadership skills that you apply to what I call the Critical 25%. The Critical 25% involves ideas, previous experience, and the knowledge of what works and what doesn’t. It requires excellent follow up and the ability to train and monitor others to accomplish all the routine management tasks. To fulﬁll that Critical 25%, most practice owners do not need a big gun practice administrator on staff full time. Most need an excellent layer of veterinary business skill between them and the staff. They need someone who can transfer your vision into reality by applying excellent business experience, providing and implementing great growth ideas and monitor the other 75% of delegated tasks. THE SWING THROUGH

If you have the best golf equipment and have all the tips from the best golf instructors, and yet step up to the ball and only swing part way through, you might hit the ball but you won’t go very far. Getting anything done well requires full and enthusiastic follow through and managing a veterinary practice is no different. How many times have you, your associates or staff had a great idea only for it to get buried on your desk? How many conferences have you returned from with the conviction . . . this time I am going to get this up and running . . . and realize six months later that you haven’t had the time

Owner vision in the form of great ideas scattered and unorganized for action.

Team receives directives without implementation plan or follow-up. Changes soon fall away.

Owner Shares vision.

Outsourced Administrator Completes the cycle by following up with the team, measuring success, and reporting back to owner.

Outsourced Administrator Develops plan with owner approval and implements with team.

STANDARD VETERINARY PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

VETERINARY PRACTICE MANAGEMENT WITH OUTSOURCED ADMINISTRATOR

to work on the great ideas from the last conference—and on the pile it goes. Good management and growth require organization, a plan, and follow through until habits are developed and all of that, if done well, takes time that you do not need to divert from practicing medicine or spending with your family. A third party veterinary administrator’s focus is your success. Their reputation and livelihood depends on it. It’s hard to get more motivated than that! caution: Having a veterinary administrator on your team is habit forming. Some practices utilize this type of service to get the practice in shape and then they take it from there. Others see that it can be a great long term answer to maintaining and growing a practice without being saddled with the extra baggage of health insurance, vacation pay, holiday pay, retirement plans, and all the other costly beneﬁts that go along with a full time, top notch practice manager. Compare the two management models in the diagrams above. The goal is to own your business, practice medicine, experience growth through good business practices and have all the elements under your control without having them on your plate.

THE ADVANTAGES OF OUTSOURCING TO AN EXPERIENCED VETERINARY ADMINISTRATOR n

The team gets an opportunity to succeed and receives the credit they deserve when they do a great job. Marketing is tailored to match the personality of the practice, is tracked and only repeated if successful. The team becomes engaged as they become

Entire Team Trained and held accountable for implementation of each management effort.

responsible for the growth of the practice. The team receives feedback through regular reviews including follow up. Progressive discipline is applied when necessary and is done properly to avoid labor issues. Liability is lowered through added checks and balances. New client services are developed and the level of service increases through speciﬁc training called “Simply Excellent Service.” The staff comes to understand their involvement in revenue growth through training called “Team Engagement for Growth.” Staff procedure compliance is maximized through a program called “No Pet Left Behind.” Inventory is streamlined through a process I have developed like the “Adopt a Mile” program to care for our roads. The burden of inventory is shared which cuts down on expired stock, overages, outages and keeps inventory areas neat and clean. The amount of inventory is kept slim through an examination of actual usage. Fees are examined and recommendations are made for fee changes. Different methods are applied for shopped services, professional services, lab work, diets, OTC items, etc. Safety training is brushed up and implemented as well as policy manuals or procedure manuals. Have an unemployment issue? I work with the UIA directly on your behalf. I examine your regular expenses and often can bring savings to the table through the wide network of tried

Key Team Leader Is liaison directed to drive the team internally

and true sources for everything from hazardous waste removal to best sources for veterinary I.T. support. I enjoy many strong relationships with local vendors who have come to provide better than average service to my practices. I have no ties with other vendors so I only recommend the best (and they know it!) Imagine wanting a new piece of equipment and the request comes back to you from your administrator with the details and pricing for three different brands for you to make your decision. Once you make your purchase, the use of the new equipment is detailed to the staff, the equipment is marketed in the appropriate way and the usage is tracked to monitor and drive your return on the investment. This really beats the “buy now and hope later” method! Should the need arise for a new team member, whether an associate doctor or a kennel attendant, your administrator will advertise, screen applicants, check references, and place them before you to decide on a working interview or not. All new hire procedures are completed including initial forms, training plans, orientation, and initial reviews. Stop trying to be the best at everything in your business and listen to your mother’s advice. Surround yourself with the best people and you will receive the best inﬂuence. Janet Talbot is the president of Animalia Resources, Inc., a Michigan-grown veterinary consulting company providing business solutions exclusively to Michigan veterinarians since 2008. With 30 years’ experience in all aspects of veterinary practice, Janet brings a unique, hands-on knowledge base that is unprecedented. You can reach Janet at: (989) 366-5646 (ofﬁce), (313) 516-8969 (cell), jmtalbot@animaliare.com, www.animaliare.com.

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

am one of those individuals who joined organized veterinary medicine early in my career. I think it is important to be involved and the beneﬁts of membership can be immeasurable. Membership in the MVMA allows one to take advantage of discounted continuing education, free legal help, debt relief information and wellness resources dedicated to assisting veterinarians in need. MVMA also assists with networking and mentoring in all stages of one’s career. These are a few examples of why practice owners should encourage and facilitate MVMA membership for their associates and colleagues.

How Can You Make a Difference for Your Associates? Kristin Knirk, DVM MVMA Board of Directors Representative, MVMA Membership Committee Member, Young Professionals Task Force Member With the passage of continuing medical education in Michigan, the MVMA established a CE portal with over 1,000 online courses, many of which are free for members. The online portal will also track member’s hours of continuing education, even from outside sources. MVMA programs like the Small Animal Seminar Series and the new CE portal are convenient and effective resources for members to stay current in the profession. Other valuable tools that the MVMA is committed to developing are designed to help veterinary students and new graduates reduce their debt-to-income ratio. The average student debt for 2016 was approximately $180,000 with some students exceeding $300,000. The MVMA has partnered with the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and other national groups by providing student debt resources on their website, offering sessions for MSU CVM students and offering free ﬁnancial advice for current members. The debt-to-income ratio has become a burden for both new graduates and their 16

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

employers, and the MVMA is looking for ways to help new members succeed for the long term. During 2015–2016, MVMA had a Wellness Task Force dedicated to assisting veterinarians who were challenged with compassion fatigue, financial concerns, psychological distress, or issues around work-life balance. A recent study published by Nett, et. al. in JAVMA (2016), reported that membership in a professional veterinary association was positively correlated with reduced mental illness and suicide. The authors found that 17.5% of veterinarians who were not association members experienced severe psychological distress at the time of the survey compared to 9.3% of veterinarians who belonged to an association. Strand, et al. (2016) noted in a Wellness Risk Factor Study that veterinary medical associations (VMAs) played a critical role by offering social support and a means for sharing information. State VMAs, along with online social communities, are important outlets for helping veterinarians across the profession find and maintain positive support systems. The MVMA Wellness Task Force was specifically created in an effort to design and develop ongoing resources for our professional community across Michigan. Encouraging membership in the MVMA can provide numerous benefits for all. Free or reduced-cost CE is a major concern for many. Legal and financial resources for managing debt relief will continue to be important tools for helping new graduates succeed, and promoting the physical, mental and emotional wellness of our colleagues across the veterinary profession is something our association is committed to for everyone’s long-term benefit. Endorsing membership in the MVMA and assisting colleagues with costs of membership could be priceless. CITATIONS Nett, R. J., Witte, T. K., Holzbauer, S. M., et. al. (2015). “Risk factors for suicide, attitudes toward mental illness, and practice-related stressors among US veterinarians.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association, 247(8), 945–955. http://doi. org/10.2460/javma.247.8.945 Strand, E., and Faust, C. (2016) “Wellness Risk Factor Study Finds Positive Correlation to VMA Membership.”

July 23–25, 2017

Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville, MI

Great Lakes Veterinary Conference . . . don’t miss it! We’ve added a third track of CE . . . and more fun events!

Infectious and Vector-Borne Diseases Adam Birkenheuer, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (sponsored by Merial)

Internal Medicine: Renal Diagnostics, Urinalysis & Challenging Cases William D. Saxton, DVM, DACVECC (sponsored by IDEXX)

Practice Management Tracy Dowdy, CVPM

Receptions

Mountaintop dinner!

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN RESORT

Crystal Mountain is the Midwest’s premier four-season family resort featuring some of the ﬁnest accomodations northern Michigan has to offer, including 36 holes of championship golf and the award-winning Crystal Spa. Enjoy Crystal’s Michigan Legacy Art Park, Edge Adventure Course, Alpine Slide, water park/pool, mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, paintball, disc golf, climbing wall, hiking trails, tennis, and more. You can get up to 14 hours of continuing education credits and have lots of fun—all in one location!

You won’t want to miss this year’s conference! Watch for the full brochure with complete details in April. the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

ADVANCE PATIENT CARE & INCREASE REVENUE

Make a Team Commitment to Forward Booking

s you continue to embark on veterinary practice in 2017, the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association and Partners for Healthy Pets have a free gift for you! As you may know, MVMA is a proud Associate Member of Partners for Healthy Pets (PHP) and we have been working on a collaborative program to implement the concept of forward booking in all veterinary practices in Michigan. Why? We believe this initiative will have a signiﬁcant impact on the health of your patients and your practice. This program focuses on the importance of forward booking, which simply means scheduling all patients’ next appointments before they leave your practice, regardless of the reason for this current visit. This includes medical progress exams and preventive healthcare exams. Forward booking ensures your patients receive the highest quality care at the right time. The traditional way to schedule appointments for your clients is costly, time-consuming, and only 30% of your clients respond. According to the 2015 AAHA State of the Union Report, 6 out of 10 pet owners said they would forward book their next appointment before leaving the practice. MVMA recently discovered that the Ontario VMA reports that 45% of their practices are forward booking appointments a year in advance. In those practices that have implemented forward booking, an average of 87% of clients are agreeing to forward book their pet’s next annual appointment. The average includes the hospitals where teams initially claimed “forward booking won’t work at our hospital.” Results from OVMA’s 2016 Practice Owners Economic Survey indicated those hospitals which have implemented forward booking are making gains in revenue per veterinary hour. The median revenue per DVM-hour for hospitals that are forward booking is 7% more than hospitals that are not. How do you get started? Check out the free straightforward, step-by-step process that provides the entire practice team with the skills necessary to be successful by going to https://michvma.org/ForwardBooking. You’ll ﬁnd all the resources you’ll need including the key to implementation, training information, communication tips to use with your staff, and a link to order buttons (at no cost!) for your team to wear. So what are you waiting for? MVMA is very excited to provide this opportunity. Whether you are a practice owner or associate veterinarian, we hope that you will help to carry the message forward about forward booking in your practice. The results will be healthier patients and a healthier practice!

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

Professional excellence. Compassionate care.

the michigan veterinarian Âˇ spring 2017

2016 Animal Welfare Conference a Great Success!

VMA held the annual Animal Welfare Conference on November 21, 2016. The conference featured a wide variety of speakers and focused on how veterinarians work together with producers and others for humane treatment of animals at every stage of life. Internationally-known speakers at the conference included Temple Grandin, PhD,

the michigan veterinarian Âˇ spring 2017

Animal Scientist and Autism Activist, Ed Pajor, PhD, Professor of Animal Welfare, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Health and Rachel Touroo, DVM, ASPCA, Director of Veterinary Forensics. CHUM Therapeutic Riding presented a horse demonstration. Approximately 260 people attended the event including DVMs,

LVTs, industry representatives, farmers, producers, shelter personnel, animal welfare enthusiasts, and members of the public. MVMA plans to hold another conference on November 20, 2017. MVMA thanks Dr. Lana Kaiser and the Animal Welfare Committee for their work on the conference. Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming 2017 Animal Welfare Conference!

FILE YOUR ANNUAL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE INVENTORY!

CL 333.7321(2) of the Michigan Public Health Code and Michigan Board of Pharmacy Rule 338.3152(1) requires licensees who manufacture, distribute, prescribe or dispense controlled substances to inventory all stocks of controlled substances in possession or control of the licensee at the time of the inventory on an annual basis, in accordance with the requirements of Board of Pharmacy Rule 338.3151. Schedule 2 drugs must be listed separately from all other drugs and exact counts must be made; it is also helpful to note whether the inventory was done at the open or close of business on that particular day. For substances listed in schedules 3, 4, and 5, the count or measure may be estimated, but if the container holds more than 1,000 dosage units (pills, etc.), then an accurate count is required. The annual inventory must be signed and dated by the licensee, with the licensee’s name, address, controlled substance permanent ID number, and DEA number. Submit the inventory between April 1 and June 30 each year. Please submit your completed inventory to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, Attn: MAPS Section, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909; BPL-Pharmacy@ michigan.gov Please note that any person licensed to manufacture, distribute, prescribe, or dispense controlled substances is required to submit an annual controlled substance inventory. One inventory may be submitted with all DVMs’ names and license numbers who have accesss to the stock of the controlled substances. If you do not stock controlled substances, you still need ed to submit an inventory stating such (zero stock) and submit to the email or mailing address above. Most general questions can be answered by viewing the Annual Inventory FAQs: s: http://www. michigan.gov/documents/lara/Annual_Inventory_FAQ_535996_7.pdf. For questions ons or additional information, call (517) 373-1737 or email mapsinfo@michigan.gov.

In Memoriam Kenneth R. Butcher, DVM, died on January 19, 2017 at the age of 84. He graduated from Michigan State University and was a life member of MVMA. Dr. Morrison owned Hart Animal Clinic for 38 years until his retirement in 1995. The MVMA extends its sympathy to the friends and families of departed members. In memory of deceased members, the MVMA contributes $50 to the Michigan Animal Health Foundation. Friends of deceased members may send memorial contributions to the Foundation. When contributions reach $500, the member’s name is entered on a memorial plaque displayed in the MVMA ofﬁce. The MVMA staff thanks those thoughtful members who take time to notify the ofﬁce and send obituaries of our recently deceased members.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS n DR. KENT AMES (above, left), esteemed fac-

ulty of MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, retired on January 1 from the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. True to his adoration by students and colleagues, the celebration was well attended. Dr. Ames, a professor emeritus in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, earned multiple honors and awards, many which relate to his skills as an educator. He paid tribute to his true inspiration at MSU stating “MSU is everything, it’s my career, and I just adore the students,” said Ames. “They literally have made my career.” Ames plans to spend time with his grandchildren, woodworking, at his house up north, and looking for opportunities to work with bees particularly in regards to the veterinary feed directive. n DR. STEVEN ARNOCZKY (above, right), DVM,

DACVS, DACVSMR, professor emeritus in the Department of Small Animal Clinical

Sciences and Director of the Laboratory for Comparative Orthopaedic Research, retired on January 1. In 1992, Dr. Arnoczky was named the first Wade O. Brinker Endowed Professor in Veterinary Surgery and held that title for 25 years. He had this to say about the position: “Having the opportunity to be the first Wade O. Brinker Endowed Chair in Veterinary Surgery at the College has been the opportunity of a lifetime. The chance to work with world-class faculty and staff has been the highlight of my professional career. I hope I have been able to honor Dr. Brinker’s legacy with our work.” During his retirement, Dr. Arnoczky will be consulting for the human orthopedic industry as well as participating in postgraduate education for orthopedic residents and surgeons. Additionally, he will participate in committee work at the college, while finishing some research papers with his veterinary and human medicine students. Arnoczky’s most important plans include

more ﬁshing and travel with his wife. n DR. LAUREN DEMOS is taking the lead as president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners just ﬁve years out of veterinary school. In 2005, she earned her undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University in jazz performance and acoustical physics. She moved to Alaska and became a veterinary clinic receptionist, then a veterinary technician. She went overseas to earn her veterinary degree in 2012 from Murdoch University in Perth, Australia. Dr. Demos practiced at a feline clinic in Wisconsin for a year before joining Exclusively Cats Veterinary Hospital in Waterford, Michigan. She is currently completing a residency in the Feline Practice specialty with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and serves on the Young Professionals Task Force for MVMA. the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

the michigan veterinarian Âˇ spring 2017

classiﬁeds & relief vets

classified ads veterinarians wanted F/T veterinarian needed for a well-established small animal clinic located in Addison, MI. We are a fastpaced walk-in and appointment facility. We offer out-patient care, in-hospital patient treatment, and in-house diagnostics. Applicants must practice a high standard of medicine, surgery, and customer service. Send résumés to Dr. Andrew Kelley via email: avcpc1@ gmail.com, fax: 517/547-5185, or mail 6690 N. Rollin Hwy, Addison, MI 49220. Seeking enthusiastic F/T SA veterinarian for busy companion animal practice in Livingston County. Well-equipped hospital with in-house IDEXX laboratory, digital radiography, and therapeutic laser. Prefer interest in surgery and ultrasound. Competitve benefits. Please send résumé to howellanimalhosp@gmail.com. Passion . . . progressive, yet practical . . . community . . . If these core values interest you, come join the doctors and staff at Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital in the beautiful Berkshires of western Massachusetts! We are looking for a F/T associate doctor to join our 5-doctor companion animal practice. With varying interests and experience, our veterinarians have the ability to offer great mentorship to a novice veterinarian, including a certified acupuncturist and chiropractor. Additionally, we have some great technology: Advanced 3-probe ultrasound with live telemedicine capabilities, digital dental radiology that gets used on every dental, rigid laparoscopy, ligature device, Class IV laser, and an onsite boarded surgeon when needed. If you would love to live and learn in a supportive, beautiful environment, come to the Berkshires and work with us at the Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital. Contact@pittsfieldvet.com. Whitehall Pet Practice PC in Whitehall, MI is seeking a P/T or F/T veterinarian. We are a busy 1-doctor practice with 5 well trained LVT’ , a complete in-house laboratory, CO2 laser, ultrasound, high-speed dental unit, and digital radiology. We are seeking an experienced DVM (2 years or more clinical experience) who is interested in providing high-quality diagnostics and medicine to our patients. Work schedule and hours are extremely flexible, as we are a family-oriented practice. Surgery duties are not required and/or can be tailored to your skills. There are no after-hour emergency duties. Earn a better income working 3 days/week than a lot of doctors make working full-time. Our practice also offers health insurance, IRA, and CE. Contact Dr. Amy Hayes Kidder at amyhayeskidder@gmail.com. Fenton Veterinary Clinic is searching for a P/T associate veterinarian to begin in spring 2017. We are an established small animal clinic that has been in business since 1948. Our facility is equipped with the latest software, digital radiography, laser therapy, and in-house blood and urinalysis machines. We excel in general medicine and pride ourselves with providing excellent customer service to our clients while treating each patient like they are our own. Send your résumé to v.bales@aol.com. Seeking F/T mixed animal veterinarian to join our 5-doctor team. New grads are welcome to apply and will be considered for the position. Our practice is located in mid-Michigan and consists of 60% small animal, 30%

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

dairy, and 10% equine, beef cattle, small ruminants, and exotics. On the small animal side our large support staff of 11, including 2 F/T LVTs, will assist with cases which range from yearly exams and vaccines to soft-tissue and orthopedic surgeries. Our small animal facility includes 5 exam rooms, a surgery suite with 3 gas anesthetic machines and full parameter monitors, full digital radiography, ultrasound, in-house lab, tonopen, and Avimark computer software. Our dairy work involves providing herd health, most using ultrasound, to dairies that range from 50 to 1,200 milk cows, along with individual sick cow cases, and troubleshooting herd-wide reproductive and metabolic issues. We will also supply a fully stocked truck and coveralls for farm call use. The practice does provide emergency services for both our large- and small-animal clients and these duties are split equally between all veterinarians. Our clinic believes in the importance of mentoring and new grads will be provided with back-up when needed for both routine cases and emergencies. Beneﬁts will include competitive salary, paid vacation, licensing, health insurance, and contribution to a retirement plan. Please send résumé to Dr. Jon Schwab at Arenac Bay Veterinary Services, 4366 M-61, Standish, MI 48658, or email arenacbayvet@gmail.com. We are seeking a P/T associate. Bay City has affordable housing, festivals, and easy access to outdoor recreation including the Great Lakes. We offer digital x-ray, dental x-ray, in-house laboratory, and ultrasound in a new state-of-the-art facility. Please email Dr. Don Sheets at dsheetsdvm@aol.com, VetMedHospital.com. SIGNING BONUS! Great Lakes Animal Hospital is looking for an enthusiastic veterinarian to join our team! We are a modern small animal practice in beautiful Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Located on the Great Lakes, the Sault offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, boating, and much more. All levels of experience are welcome to apply. We offer a fun, supportive work environment, beneﬁts, and a competitive salary. Please submit your résumé to greatlakesah@gmail.com. AAHA-accredited hospital in Genesee County seeking a F/T and P/T veterinarian, preferably interested in a future partnership to join our team. Our well-established, newly remodeled hospital is equipped with stateof-the-art technology, including digital radiography, in-house laboratories, endoscopy, EKG, orthopedic, and ultrasonic dental equipment. We have well-trained support staff, including 3 LVTs and offer competitive salary, CE, paid vacation, licensing, health insurance, and IRA contributions. We offer a generous signing bonus and the positions are open immediately. Please submit résumé to bsnovi@gmail.com. Town Center Veterinary Associates is a growing companion animal veterinary practice in Howell, MI. We are currently looking for an experienced part-time veterinarian, 1–2 days/week, to join our 1½-doctor practice. Veterinarian must be able to communicate well and provide excellent medicine and care for our patients and clients. Potential for more hours as our clinic grows; contract terms negotiable. Contact us at 517/548-5440, or email your résumé to corbettveterinaryservices@gmail.com. MedVet Medical and Cancer Centers for Pets is seeking F/T or P/T emergency veterinarians to join our Toledo, OH and Columbus, OH practices. Our multi-specialty hospitals are both dynamic and collaborative. Come

join a Team that prides itself on “Leading Specialty Healthcare for Pets” and lives its values of teamwork, leadership and compassion. Excellent compensation package. For further information please contact Dr. Barbara Lightner, barbara.lightner@medvetforpets. com, 614/870-0480. River Raisin Veterinary Clinic is accepting résumés for an associate veterinarian, F/T or P/T. We have an established, competent staff and we are closed in the evenings and on weekends. Please send résumé to Dr. Rob Comanescu, 106 N. Monroe St, Monroe, MI 48162, RRVCvet@yahoo.com, or fax 734/243-5672. Animal Clinic, Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI is seeking a P/T associate veterinarian for our busy, AAHA-accredited practice. We are a well-equipped practice with a great support staff, providing high-quality veterinary care for small animals and exotics since 1947. We’re looking for a veterinarian with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, who regards customer service and high quality patient care as #1 priorities. Compensation and hours are negotiable. Please contact Dr. Harland Renshaw Jr. at 616/241-3651 or renshawdvm@yahoo. com. Ann Arbor, MI: Washtenaw Veterinary Hospital is looking to add a 4th associate veterinarian to our dynamic, well-established small animal hospital. We are in search of a communicative doctor who enjoys educating clients, who comes to work with a positive attitude, is empathetic with patients, and will thrive in a team atmosphere. We offer updated top-notch facilities and equipment. Competitive salary, CE, licensing, vacation, health insurance, retirement plan, and proﬁt sharing are available with F/T employment. No emergencies or after hours are required. We support a good work/life balance. New and recent grads welcome as well as experienced veterinarians. Mentorship from our 3 friendly and competent doctors is always available. Please contact Dr. Crystal Eberly to set up an interview with a résumé attachment via email at ceberly@wvhcares.com. F/T or P/T position for associate in small animal practice. Ideal candidate will have a strong interest in surgery. Some on-call and weekend duties. Our practice is equipped with digital radiography (inc. dental), full in-house laboratory, high-speed dental unit, and laser therapy. We have 3 LVTs on staff. If you are interested in a challenging job with fun staff and diverse clientele please contact Drs. Zech and Mast. Email résumés to info@grvh.com. Our 2-doctor, mixed animal practice located in the southern Thumb area of Michigan is looking to add a 3rd mixed-animal veterinarian to our team. Position would be 70% equine (some small ruminant if desired) and 30% small animal. Vehicle provided, emergency is split equally. Interest in chiropractic, acupuncture, or other holistic modalities is a plus. New grads welcome! Please contact Dr. Margaret Schreiner at 810/387-3363. Southpointe Veterinary Hospital is hiring a F/T or P/T small animal veterinarian for our AAHA-accredited, highly ranked practice in Allen Park. We are a fastpaced, full-service practice offering the latest in laboratory, medical, surgical (including laser), ultrasound, digital radiology, and dental services. We are looking for a candidate who strives to practice high-quality veterinary medicine, communicates well with clients, and will treat the patient as their own. Exotic experience a plus. Competitive salary, full-time includes full

benefits. If you are looking to practice medicine in a team atmosphere with great clients and well-trained support staff, please send your résumé to kcox@ southpointevet.com, or fax 313/382-3548. F/T associate veterinarian needed for a well-established small animal practice in SE Michigan. AAHA certified over 50 years. Hospital is fully equipped with digital x-ray, in-house laboratory, ultrasound, and surgical laser. No after-hours emergencies. Great benefits! Send résumés to Dr. Rick Nurse, 22300 Greater Mack Ave, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 or to m.vethospital@ sbcglobal.net. F/T veterinary position at a mixed animal practice in beautiful northern Michigan. Progressive practice with ultrasound, digital x-ray, and in-house lab. We also have a barn with 2 hospital stalls and a stock for working on horses. Emergency shared between 3 doctors, with technicians who also rotate on-call. Salary determined by experience, with insurance and retirement plan available. Please send résumé to reception@mapleriveranimalclinic.com. Excellent opportunity for new grad or experienced veterinarian in central mid-Michigan. We have an outstanding staff, competitive salary and compensation, excellent diagnostics and laboratory equipment—no emergencies or after-hours required. Please email résumé with references to ssrvc1985@gmail.com. We are a mixed animal practice in rural central Michigan, seeking associate veterinarian to do mostly large animal ambulatory work. MUST be proficient at basic bovine palpation with ultrasound skills a plus. Applicants need excellent communication skills with clients and staff, and a head for business. Position will entail mostly bovine work, with some equine, small ruminant, cervidae, and small animal as needed. Oncall schedule shared. Well-equipped facility. Position includes salary with benefits. Contact Kevin Todd at 231/832-3680. Lake Huron Veterinary Clinic, Port Huron, MI and Westland Veterinary Hospital, Westland, MI are hiring for associate DVMs. P/T or F/T considered. We support exceptional medicine with excellent facilities and equipment. CE, licensing, paid vacation, heath insurance and 401(k) provided. Base salary and production bonuses BOE. We also offer partnership opportunities to veterinarians who work hard and exhibit quality veterinary and business skills with no money out of pocket. H1B visa/green card assistance is available. Contact Dr. Dhillon at dhillondvm@gmail.com. Associate veterinarians needed for a growing clinic in Newport, MI (south of Detroit). We are a high-quality, patient/client-focused practice with excellent licensed support staff. Contact Dennis at Ark Animal Clinic, 734/770-1120, and/or email your résumé to dgpogarch@ aol.com. Website: ArkAnimalVet.com. Kern Road Veterinary Clinic: Progressive, team-oriented equine/SA practice located in Fowlerville, MI seeking an enthusiastic, self-starting, reliable, F/T equine DVM. Good communication skills a must. We are a 5-ambulatory (3 SA) doctor practice equipped with DR and CR radiography, ultrasound (lameness and reproductive), endoscopy/gastroscopy, and in-house CBC/chem. Our facility has examination, treatment, surgical, and hospitalization capabilities as well. We see horses in multiple disciplines and provide a broad range of services, including annual exams,

lameness, AI, acupuncture, dentistry, pre-purchase, shockwave, 24/7 emergency care. Compensation is commensurate with experience; 1–2 years’ experience preferred, however new grads considered. Practice vehicle provided. Please email résumé/inquiries to info@kernroadvet.com, or call Kern Road Veterinary Clinic at 517/223-9618. We are a multi-doctor small animal hospital located in Grand Rapids, MI looking for a F/T or P/T experienced associate veterinarian. We practice in a 12,000SF AAHA-accredited facility with 7 exam rooms, spacious treatment area, and surgery ICU areas. We are equipped with a full in-house lab and imaging abilities utilizing digital radiography, digital dental radiography, and ultrasound. Other diagnostic equipment includes endoscopy, rhinoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and Doppler blood pressure. Our surgery prep and suite feature multiple anesthesia machines, Surgivet monitors, water blankets, CO2 laser, cold therapy laser, ﬂuid pumps, and oxygen cages. We routinely work-up and treat many challenging medicine, surgery, and dental cases. We have well-trained client care assistants, licensed and non-licensed technical staff, as well as F/T practice managers. We strive to provide caring, competent, and cutting-edge care, and maintain a robust well-care program. We enjoy frequent referrals from nearby clinics. Check out our website at CHFA. net. Notes: US residents only. Pay commensurate with skills and experience; excellent beneﬁt package. Mail or email résumé to Cascade Hospital for Animals, 6730 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, thertel@chfa.net. Gull Lake Animal Hospital in Richland, MI (15 minutes from Kalamazoo and Battle Creek) seeks an experienced F/T associate veterinarian to join our team! We have been serving Richland and the Gull Lake Area for over 20 years. We are a patient-oriented practice and we have a team-based approach. We have skilled technicians, assistants and a highly skilled client service team. Our team excels in providing excellent client care, creating client trust and loving their pets as if they were

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

our own. We strive to make our practice a place that our doctors and team can be proud of and hold their heads high and know we provided the best care and service today to the pets entrusted in our care. We often say that life is short and work should be fun. The ideal candidate would be a doctor who is passionate about their work and values and has a desire to grow and expand their knowledge and skills. Our desire is to find the right candidate who will be as passionate and excited about practicing as we are! We offer a progressive paperless practice with state-of-the-art medical care, fully equipped dental suite, and digital dental radiographs, large treatment area with three dry and one wet table, large dedicated surgical suite with two surgical tables, 5 large exam rooms, digital radiographs, ultrasound, telemedicine ECG, complete in-house lab, full boarding kennel. We encourage and support the cultivation of doctors’ special veterinary interests. More information at GullLakeAnimalHospital. com. Excellent compensation and benefits package. Submit résumés to jobs@vetrecruiting.com. The Toledo Area Humane Society is looking for the right veterinarian to join our medical team. P/T or F/T will be considered. This position involves managing the medical needs of our busy animal shelter, including treating ill, injured, and cruelty confiscated animals that enter our facility, spay/neuter surgery, other surgeries available depending on comfort level, and performing wellness exams. As a progressive, private shelter, we have a well-stocked facility to practice quality medicine and go the extra mile for our homeless pets. Applicants should be reliable, hard-working veterinarians with a well-rounded small animal medicine knowledge base; shelter medicine experience preferred. Must be able to work well as a team and maintain an upbeat attitude. Valid Ohio veterinary license (or must be obtained). Visit our website at ToledoHumane.org. Send résumé to ksears@toledohumane.org. Now hiring associate and lead veterinarians for the NEW Banfield hospital opening in Grosse Pointe, MI. This will be a beautiful stand-alone location. Practice high-quality medicine with a caring, well-trained team. Growth opportunities and flexible schedules available. Enjoy a diverse caseload, excellent compensation, and benefits including up to 200 hours of paid time off, health insurance, CE allowance, 401(k), and more. Visit Banfield.com/careers or email heidi.burkley@banfield. com to learn more. P/T veterinarian needed in the Davison, MI area. Compassionate, laid back atmosphere. New grads and progressive thinkers encouraged to apply. The hospital is well-equipped with IDEXX, Abaxis blood machines, and ultrasound machine, to just name a few. The owner is certified in acupuncture and practices equine medicine. Owner needs a P/T small animal veterinarian to do surgery on Wednesdays and, if she finds a great candidate, 2 days of outpatient is also available so the hospital can offer more equine and acupuncture appointments. Offering a competitive salary. DVM will need to have all licenses current including DEA, and liability insurance. If this sounds like the place for you, please email your résumé to jenwells117@hotmail.com. Looking for a challenging professional opportunity that respects your personal life? Shaver Road Animal Hospital in Portage, MI is interviewing candidates with that goal in mind! Our 1½-doctor practice is known in the community for our compassionate client interaction as well as exemplary patient care. We truly treat our

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

clients and our patients as if they are a part of the family. So much so that we asked our clients what qualities they are looking for in a veterinarian! They have responded with words like passionate, driven, supportive, dedicated, a good listener, and outgoing. If you can demonstrate these qualities, we can offer you an exciting 35-hour work week in a fun-loving atmosphere that leaves your weekends free to enjoy everything our community has to offer—from our numerous local lakes to our active artistic community and bustling downtown nightlife. Our hospital culture is designed to welcome new ideas and foster the individual interests of our staff. We truly care about each of our staff’s personal goals and believe that helping them attain these goals is one of the secrets to our success. Whether mentoring a new graduate or supporting continuing education for an established veterinarian, we will make it happen! We offer all the “bells and whistles” that you would expect along with a well-trained technical staff that has been with us for years. Contact us at shaverroadanimalhospital@gmail. com if this sounds like the right opportunity for you! Associate wanted: Excellent work conditions, welltrained support staff. Looking for an associate who respects and supports staff, is willing to learn and implement medical policies, learn and support our business practices, and whose general goal is practice ownership in the near future. Visit our website for practice pictures and information: FlushingAnimal Hospital.com. Call 810/659-1151 days, or 810/407-0093 evenings/weekends. Great opportunity to join our 5-doctor practice in Rochester, MI, steps from the Paint Creek Trail! We are seeking a F/T veterinarian with strong client communication skills willing to be part of our friendly, experienced team. Our practice offers a large stateof-the-art facility and technology, great technical and support staff, ﬂexible schedule, no after-hour emergencies, competitive compensation package, and an opportunity for wonderful quality of life! Please contact Dr. Douglas Angel, 4379 Orion Rd, Rochester, MI 48306; tel 248/650-5900, or email résumé to customerservice@goodisonvet.com. Veterinarians wanted: Come join our small family of practices. We are located in Utica, Warren, Milford, and Ypsilanti Twp. We are devoted to practicing the highest quality of medicine. Staff are fully utilized, so you will focus on diagnosing, prescribing medications, and surgery only. High earning potential and full range of beneﬁts available. F/T and P/T openings available. Contact Jeff Rothstein, DVM, MBA, at 734/645-0267, email jknis@sbcglobal.net or fax 734/372-6318. F/T or P/T veterinarian needed for a small animal practice in Tekonsha, MI. We are fast-paced, wellequipped, and have an excellent support staff. Please contact Susan at tekpetvet@yahoo.com. Veterinarian wanted, preferably F/T, for companion animal practice in Three Rivers, MI. Crossroads Veterinary Clinic is a long-established and well-equipped modern practice; our 7,500SF building is less than 10 years old. The large waiting room provides stress-free environment for our canine and feline patients. We have a great, well-trained and friendly staff, reasonable hours of operation, and a family-friendly attitude toward our employees. In-house lab, digital radiograph, dental radiograph, ECG, surgical laser, cold laser, 2 surgical suites, and a beautiful building help in making this a great place to work. Three Rivers is

close to shopping in Kalamazoo and a short drive from Mishawaka and South Bend. The many lakes, rivers, and a small ski area make Three Rivers a great place to live if you are the outdoors type. Contact Dr. William Sands at 269/278-1345, wcsands3@gmail. com, or CrossroadsVeterinaryClinic.com. Emergency and critical care DVMs: Do you have a passion for working up critical cases? Live for the satisfaction of stabilizing a shocky or dyspneic patient? Bay Area Pet Hospital is a progressive companion animal hospital located in beautiful Traverse City, MI. We are a 6-doctor practice and are interviewing for both P/T and F/T positions. Our hospital offers daytime general practice hours as well as 24/7 emergency and critical care. Holidays and weekends are rotated. New graduates will be considered. Our experienced and supportive staff looks forward to meeting you! Send résumé to dr.karen@bayareapethospitals.com. We are looking for a flexible P/T to F/T small animal DVM to join our growing family! The practice is growing and active with mentorship opportunities available. Experience is preferred, but new grads are welcome too. We are located just north of Muskegon; we are a 10-miniute drive from Lake Michigan and all of its natural splendor. The position would include at least 1 day off per week, and appointment hours every 5th Saturday. Dental and surgical experience are a plus. Benefits: salary, with Pro-Sal option after 1 year, paid time off, CE time and expenses, professional memberships and licenses, AVMA PLIT, health insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k). If interested please contact Dr. Eric D. Peterson at 231/744-1787 or email edp@northside-vet.com. P/T veterinarian needed at an AAHA -accredited small animal and exotics clinic in Jackson, MI. Columbia Animal Clinic is seeking a dedicated, enthusiastic veterinarian to join our team. Excellent opportunities exist for a compassionate individual to develop long-term professional relationships with a wonderful team and clientele. Email résumé to manager@ columbiaanimalclinic.com. Associate vet wanted for busy integrative practice in north central Indiana. AnimalWellnesskokomo.com, Dr. Todd Cooney 765/513-6505. Come join our team! VetSelect Animal Hospitals has an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, caring associate veterinarian to join our well-regarded teams in Novi and Commerce, MI. We are a busy 4-location practice located in an area rich with amenities such as Walled Lake, shopping, restaurants, great schools, and more. Interested candidates should contact Dan Monforton at dmonforton@vetcor.com. We are a family of practices with a long history and reputation that separate us from others—check us out! We support our veterinarians with superior salary, benefits including health and dental, 401(k), CE allowance, vacation, dues, liability coverage, outstanding practice teams, and a family friendly atmosphere. Hidden Spring Veterinary Clinic is a well-established practice located in beautiful Northville, MI. Our progressive small animal practice is known for its exceptional customer service and gorgeous country setting. At Hidden Spring we take pride in fostering a family atmosphere for our staff and clients. We are seeking a P/T experienced veterinarian for surgery and dentistry, as well as some scheduled appointment hours. We have an outstanding long-term staff and the practice is well equipped with in-clinic IDEXX Catalyst and Procyte

blood analyzers, as well as digital whole body and digital dental radiography. The ideal candidate would be seeking a position providing 15–20 hours/week and 1–2 Saturdays/month. Interested parties please email a résumé to Dr. Kim Berrie at hsvckb@yahoo.com. Meyer Veterinary Clinic in Cadillac, MI is seeking a F/T veterinarian in a busy, 3-doctor, small animal practice. Cadillac is located in NW lower Michigan and is known for its beautiful four-season vacation attractions in the heart of the best of what northern Michigan has to offer. You would be working in a friendly environment with long-term employees. We are a full-service facility, including ultrasound, laser therapy, laser surgery, digital radiography, and paperless records. Please contact Allen Meyer, DVM at 231/775-4104, or at ameyervet@gmail.com. Growing, progressive 2-doctor small animal/exotic/ integrative practice southeast of Ann Arbor, MI seeks F/T veterinarian who is personable, enthusiastic, and compassionate to join our hard-working team. Paperless, with digital x-ray, in-house Abaxis lab, ultrasound, BP monitor, pulse ox, video otoscope, tonopen and high-speed illuminated dental drill. Genuine, educated/ experienced support staff including 3 LVTs. Busy, fun, rewarding—come be part our family. Competitive salary and benefits. Experience preferred. Please email cover letter and résumé to Rocky Buehler, HR Mgr. at rocky@noahsarkpethospital.com or call 734/740-1878. Emergent Biosolutions is currently seeking a P/T attending veterinarian (20 hours/week) for our Lansing, MI manufacturing facility. The position will be responsible for all aspects of the health and well-being of all laboratory animals used at the institution. The attending veterinarian provides guidance on program-specific activities such as the use of animals in biocontainment areas, training on animal handling, and serves on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. This is a P/T position that reports to the Institutional Official. Qualified candidates will have a medical degree (DVM) from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school, license to practice medicine in Michigan, and 5 years’ experience in laboratory animal care. To find additional details and to apply directly please go to EBSI.com/careers. Established, personal touch SAP seeking F/T and P/T DVM, LVTs, and experienced assistants. Salaries and benefits individualized. Send résumé to Mt. Hope Veterinary Hospital, c/o Dr. Margaret Berry, 2855 E. Mt. Hope Ave, Lansing, MI 48910; mmberry1958@ gmail.com. Snail mail preferred. Pinecrest Animal Hospital, a well-established 2-doctor clinic in Owosso, MI is seeking both a F/T and P/T veterinarian who is compassionate and energetic. Enjoy living in a friendly environment and small community while practicing high-quality small animal medicine. Our clinic includes full in-house diagnostics, including digital x-ray and a fully equipped surgical and dental suite. We offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including simple IRA, medical insurance, vacation time, and sick leave. Candidates must reflect our passion for quality patient care and be able to effectively communicate and collaborate with our long-term employees. Please send your résumé via email to Dr. Rangi at pprangi@gmail.com, or by mail to Pinecrest Animal Hospital, 1346 E. Main St, Owosso, MI 48867. Wanted: P/T veterinarian for AAHA-certified small animal practice in Dearborn Heights, MI. Great, experienced support staff. We are looking for a progressive,

personal, practical practitioner. Contact Rick Caputo, DVM, at 313/562-8810. South Shore Animal Hospital in Houghton Lake is seeking a F/T companion animal veterinarian. Our wellestablished, 2-doctor hospital has been in operation for over 30 years and our loyal clients have come to expect quality medicine. We are equipped with digital radiographs, digital dental radiographs, state-of-the-art anesthesia, and surgical monitoring equipment. We offer a great schedule with 3-day weekends every other week, simple IRA, paid dues, paid CE, and a very limited but compensated ER schedule. Enjoy practicing in our beautiful 4-season setting. Please email résumé to ssah.houghtonlake@gmail.com. The Ogemaw Veterinary Clinic in Rose City, MI is looking for an enthusiastic, hard-working veterinarian to join our mixed animal clinic in northern Michigan. We are a busy mixed animal clinic that sees approximately 70% small animals and 30% large animals (almost all dairy/food animal). We have a modern pharmacy, digital radiography, ultrasound, in-house laboratory, endoscopy, and other diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The salary and benefits are commensurate with experience. This unique job can be fit to the interests of the applicant. You can concentrate on small animal medicine and surgery with only occasional large animal calls. You can do a majority of large animal herd health and medicine/surgery with a few small animal appointments. Or, you can have a combination of both. We will fit the job to you. Northeastern Michigan offers many recreational activities: running, hiking, biking, boating, waterskiing, snowmobiling, camping, and others. Please submit résumés to ogemawvet@gmail. com or call 989/685-3941. Single doctor equine practice in west Michigan seeks equine exclusive associate veterinarian. Practice is 90% ambulatory, but has a clinic for haul-in appointments and hospitalization. The practice services a variety of equine disciplines with a focus on lameness. This well-equipped practice includes digital radiography, endoscope, ultrasound, shockwave, and a surgical suite with induction stall. Associate will have his/her own vet truck with stocked vet box. Technician/assistant help available. Currently looking for P/T position with emergency hours that will likely become a F/T position. Please send résumés and inquires to Dr. Kirk Johnson at kirkjohnsondvm@gmail.com. veterinary technicians wanted Fox Run Animal Hospital is seeking a P/T to F/T LVT or experienced assistant. We are a new hospital located in Metamora, MI. We have a wonderful client base that is growing quickly. Looking for someone that enjoys client communication, works well with the team as well as independently, and has a solid technical skill base. Must be willing to learn. Building is freshly renovated with all new equipment. Please email a cover letter and résumé to foxrunemployment@gmail.com. F/T LVT wanted for mixed animal practice in Fennville, MI. Established 2½-doctor practice with long-term staff that prioritizes quality medicine and customer service. Looking for a friendly, compassionate, motivated technician who works well with a team, and is available for some weekend and evening hours. Compensation based on experience with benefits including license dues, health insurance, uniform and CE allowance, and generous staff pet discount. Please send résumés to rmahardvm@gmail.com.

Small animal, single doc (for now) practice seeking F/T or P/T veterinary assistant/tech to join our team. Located in SW Michigan (Hartford and Coloma), with two offices. Small town, busy, and well-established practice doing preventative and medical care. Great hours, pay, and benefit options. We are expanding and adding and additional vet in the near future and need extra hands to help expand! Must be prepared to wear many hats (i.e., reception/assistant/tech). Email résumé/cover letter to kristyndvm@gmail.com. Veterinary Technician (2 years’ experience required): Family Friends is a fast-paced, fast growing, 6-doctor veterinary practice, with 55 support staff members, located in Grand Rapids, MI. We currently have a F/T veterinary technician position available. We are seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented, outgoing individual to join our health care support staff. Applicant must have at least two years’ previous experience as a technician. Responsibilities for this position include, but not limited to: exam room duties, laboratory duties, surgery prep, anesthesia monitoring, IV catheter placement, payment processing and data entry; applicant must be able to maintain medical records and have exceptional client communication skills both in person and on the telephone. Applicant must be flexible with hours, willing to work every other Saturday, and looking for a long-term position. We offer a generous benefit package which includes a uniform allowance, veterinary discounts, life insurance, disability insurance, individual medical insurance, simple IRA investment plan, and paid continuing education. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience. If you meet all these requirements and you are a positive person who thrives in a fast-paced energized work environment, please send your résumé and cover letter to heather. pendock@familyfriendsvet.com. Veterinary technician needed: A good one . . . at Easthaven Animal Hospital in Ann Arbor. P/T to F/T. Do you love cats, dogs, and Ann Arbor? Looking for a high-quality practice where you can learn and grow? Where the work culture is healthy, positive, hardworking, and forward-thinking? If you are current and looking for an engaging place to expand your career, maybe you should give us a call. Google us, then stop in any time with a résumé and 3 references (names and phone numbers of people who have supervised you). Ask for Terry. Hope to see you soon! Please send an email to candiss.schnieder@gmail.com if there are any inquiries for the following job description: A veterinarian technician is the patient’s advocate. They are responsible for the health of every patient in the hospital. Their duties include doing rounds with staff at shift change, induction, and monitoring of surgery patients, drawing lab samples, radiology, medical treatment, and patient records, and maintaining IV catheters all of the duties of an assistant (keep rooms, front and back house clean, walking animals, clean up ground in and out, vaccinations, inventory, answering phones, checking patients in and out, stool floats, run lab work, prepare samples to be sent out, clean and wrap surgery packs, laundry) and maintain drug logs. office staff wanted Love cats? Love veterinary medicine? Join our caring team! Experienced veterinary assistant wanted for our 3-doctor feline-only practice in Rochester Hills. Receptionist experience a plus, and experience with Avimark software even better. Please email

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

your résumé, cover letter, and contact information to employment@catcareonline.com. The doctor’s right hand person. Their goal is to anticipate everything he or she may need for treatment, exams, cytology, etc. Fulfilling the needs of clients asking if they want water or coffee or water, is also a responsibility. Must discuss what heartworm, flea, and tick prevention are needed and why. Checking in and reporting on medication refills and what tests are overdue. When appropriate, helping the technician draw blood, trim nails, or clean ears. Make the experience for the client a good one or a bad one. They are the patient’s advocate of this hospital. Please send an email to candiss.schnieder@gmail.com if there are any inquiries. practices & equipment for sale For lease: 6,400SF former veterinary hospital in Tampa, FL. Great for veterinarian looking for new practice expansion into the sunshine state. Located in high growth area next to downtown Tampa. Large operating room, pre-op and post-op rooms, 3 examination rooms, large customer waiting area. Hospital A/C. Visit VetOpportunity.com for more info and photos. SOLD – North Lansing area, small animal practice in Ithaca, MI. Contact Total Practice Solutions Group, Dr. Kurt Liljeberg, 800/380-6872, or kurt@tpsgsales.com. NEW – Two small animal practices available in Saginaw Bay area. Nice community with abundant recreation activities. Contact Total Practice Solutions Group, Dr. Kurt Liljeberg, 800/380-6872, or kurt@tpsgsales.com. When buying or selling a veterinary practice, rely on the expertise of the Total Practice Solutions Group. See our display ad this issue. Even if you plan to sell your practice yourself, contact Dr. Kurt Liljeberg for a free consultation. We would be happy to help. 800/380-6872 or kurt@tpsgsales.com. For sale: Newer veterinary anesthetic machine with Ohio isoflurane vaporizer. Also, an older v-top stainless steel surgery table-tilt/pedestal stand. Phone: 517/223-0610, or cell: 517/897-0903. For sale: Fuji Film FCR Prima CR Digital Radiograph System. Includes two workstations (monitors/CPU) and 3 cassettes (14”×17”). Hard drives recertified and restored to manufacture specifications. Asking $10K. Inquires or photo requests, email Bruce Mortimer, bmortimerdvm@comcast.net.

relief veterinarians Norman Bayne, DVM, MS, 248/506-1104. MSU 81. SA relief work in southeast MI. Will travel. Friendly, excellent client communications skills. norman@ baynevet.com. Cari Bedore, DVM, 810/965-8350. MSU 99. SA relief and/or PT 1 hour from Flint. Enjoy working in a positive team atmosphere doing medicine and surgery. Kirsten Begin, DVM, 616/446-3154. MSU 09. SA relief in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas. Will travel. Friendly, excellent client communication. References. Completed rotating and surgical internships. kbegin4@ gmail.com. Sharisse Berk, DVM, 248/851-0739. MSU 95. Available for SA relief or part-time work in southeast MI. Rhonda Bierl, DVM, 248/467-1987. MSU 00. SA/

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

emergency relief within 1 hour of Pontiac. General medicine, soft-tissue surgery, ultrasound experience. houserrh@yahoo.com. Allison Birndorf, DVM, 248/459-8974. MSU 12. SA relief in SE Michigan. Will travel. Friendly and reliable. abirndorf@gmail.com. Courtney Chapin, DVM, 616/901-5660. MSU 02. Available for Grand Rapids area. 6 years’ experience in SA general practice, 3 years in emergency medicine; both routine and emergency surgery. Willing to travel. cortneychapin@hotmail.com. Amanda Charney, DVM, 313/212-9305. MSU 12. Southeast MI: SA medicine, routine surgery. Great communication skills, friendly, travel within approximately 1 hour of Dearborn. References and résumé available. charney2dvm@yahoo.com. Aimee Cochell, DVM, 616/558-4905. Ross 01. Available for SA relief in Grand Rapids area. Willing to travel. Good client communication skills. References. abctochell@ comcast.net. Daniel Cole, DVM, 551/486-0923. MSU 12. Small animal general medicine/emergency. Relief and PT. Internship trained. Competent and comfortable with soft tissue surgery and general medicine. Excellent records and client communication. Within 1½ hours of Brighton, but willing to travel further for certain situations. danthecole@gmail.com.

gmail.com Selena Lucas, DVM, 734/330-5048. KSU 90. Flexible and friendly, excellent client communication skills. Proﬁcient in surgery, medicine, and dentistry. Available in SE Michigan. slucasdvm@gmail.com. Denise Jorgensen Montagna, DVM, 231/557-1536. CSU 90. SA relief or P/T in western MI. Excellent client relations. References available. djmontagnadvm@ charter.net. Katherine O’Connor, DVM, 248/207-3528. MSU 14. Exceptional medicine when you need it most. SA/exotics/emergency relief. Based in East Lansing, willing to travel. References available. MyReliefVet. com. Kris Parnell, DVM, 517/881-2845. MSU 91. Available for SA relief or part-time. Will travel 1 hour of Lansing area. References upon request. kparnelldvm@ comcast.net. Amy Peck, DVM, 231/557-4423. MSU 97. Available for relief in west MI/Grand Rapids/Lakeshore area. SA general medicine. Excellent communication skills, experienced and reliable. apeckdvm@gmail.com Bob Schleiffarth, DVM, 269/921-0570. SA relief. Over 30 years’ ownership experience. Coverage for western MI, based in Onekama. Kawnipi2@att.net.

Kenneth Corino, DVM, 248/217-5235. MSU 94. SA relief work. SE MI, medicine and surgery. corinodvm@ aol.com.

Teri Sexton, DVM, 517/231-1256 cell, 517/371-2930 home. MSU 92. Weekends only. SA work w/in 1 hr. of Lansing. Can make your clients and staff feel at ease. Strengths: dermatology, soft tissue surgery. TeriLSexton@earthlink.net.

Nichole Corner, DVM, 616/634-9777. MSU 99. SA relief work in Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo area. Excellent client communication skills. References available. haweslake@charter.net.

Jim Sharp, DVM, 810/533-3598. MSU 71. SA relief, SE Michigan. Former practice owner. Proﬁcient in sophisticated dentistry and medicine. Excellent communicator. vetseanarian@comcast.net.

Bryan Cornwall, DVM, MBA, 248/227-0562. MSU 89.SA medicine and general surgery in SE Michigan; practice owner for 24 years. Great with clients and staff.

Alan Sibinic, DVM, 734/922-3713, 231/547-6212. MSU 75. Relief or part-time anywhere in MI. Flexible, wide-variety practice experience. 5+ years relief work. References. SA/EQ/FA.

Jennifer M. Dec, DVM, 248/224-1990. MSU 04. Small-animal general practice and emergency relief. Surgery, ultrasound, and excellent communication skills, drrockstarbc@gmail.com. Susan Drapek, DVM, CVA, 517/663-0428. MSU 90. Available within two hours of Lansing. Relief experience since 1997. Small-animal medicine, surgery, and acupuncture. smdrapekdvm@sbcglobal.net. Marj Field, DVM, 734/658-4774. MSU 90. SA/exotic/ emergency relief work in southeastern MI. Excellent client service, comfortable surgeon, high ACT, and able to multitask. Extended travel can be negotiated. marj.ﬁeld@me.com. Lisa Harris, DVM, 616/261-4743. MSU 89. Available for relief in Grand Rapids/Lakeshore area. Experienced SA medicine and surgery, avian, exotics. Friendly, good communicator. drllharris@gmail.com. Dan Hughes, DVM, 614/406-3296. OSU 2011. SA Relief work in SE Michigan area. Will travel. Detailoriented, friendly. hughesdvm@gmail.com Sean D. Hughes, DVM, 517/552-0993; 734/6747061. MSU 76. SE Michigan SA relief since 1999. Part-time. Prefer SE; will travel for right circumstances. HughesDVM@aol.com.

Margaret Sudekum, DVM, 616/676-2720 MSU 89. Available for part-time SA relief work in Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas. Good client communication skills. msdvm@sdkm.us. Alan Supp, DVM, 616/771-6030. MSU 90. Companion animal practitioner available Saturdays only, as-needed basis in the greater Grand Rapids area. Connie R. Sveller, DVM, 517/388-3434. MSU 85. SA relief, works within 1 hour of Swartz Creek. Experienced/reliable/former practice owner (16 years). docconnie1@aol.com. Andrea Switch, DVM, 248/302-2255. MSU 84. Available for part-time or relief work. SA general medicine/soft tissue surgery in SE MI. andreaswitch@ yahoo.com. Linda Vanassche, DVM, 517/896-9086. MSU 90. SA medicine, surgery and emergency; excelling in dermatology and internal med. Travel negotiable more than 1 ½ hours from Lansing. Excellent written/verbal communication and record keeping. drmomma789@ aol.com. Jacqueline Walsh, DVM, 248/680-2461. MSU 89. Available for SA relief work in the greater Detroit area.

Cindy Kalicki, DVM, 313/291-2466. MSU 94. Eight years full-time, two years relief in SA general medicine/ soft tissue surgery. SE MI, part-time or relief.

Amy Wildrose, DVM, 517/420-5891. MSU 00. Experienced, proﬁcient, dependable, and convivial. Available for SA relief or part-time. Based in Lansing. Willing to travel. a_wildrose@hotmail.com.

Charlotte Kim, DVM, 517/643-4069. MSU 08. SA relief work in SE Michigan. Soft tissue surgery and medicine. Friendly and dependable. kimcharl0824@

Jennifer Zablotny, DVM, 517/896-9146. MSU 97. Experienced SA relief for southeast and mid-MI. References available. drzablotny@gmail.com.

be a member and save! individual member benefits

Dear MVMA Member,

Warmly,

Karlene Belyea, MBA Chief Executive Ofﬁcer $13,000

$11,000 $10,000

potential savings — high end

POTENTIAL SAVINGS

$9,000 $8,000 $7,000

potential savings — low end

$6,000 $5,000 $4,000 $3,000 $2,000 $1,000 0

77 ¢

annual

Did you know statistics show that a person who joins an association makes an average of $10,000 more per year than one who does not? A recent article published in JAVMA also found that membership in a veterinary medical association is positively correlated with less mental illness and suicidal ideation. MVMA has the answers you need and is here to support you. As a member, you can call or email us anytime and we’ll help. We can solve your problems so you have more time and less stress in your life! With Continuing Medical Education now mandatory in Michigan, MVMA offers a wide variety of inperson educational programs and a CE portal that has over 1,000 courses—approximately 550 of which are free! We can help you take care of your CME needs, and our portal is a great place to keep track of your courses. You are the future of veterinary medicine. And we are here to make your life easier. Don’t forget to renew your membership!

$12,000

ALL T BEN HESE & M EFITS OR FOR LESS E— THA N

annual dues: less than 77¢ per day!

ER D educational discounts AY! Michigan Veterinary Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $150 Small Animal Series Conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50–300 Summer Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $110 MVMA Animal Welfare Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20 MVMA/MSU·CVM Wet Labs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100–200 MVMA/MSU·CVM Professional Competencies Certification . . . . . . . . . . $100 The Michigan Veterinarian, official magazine of MVMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $75 Free E-Newsletter and Urgent Issues Broadcasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $175 Access to MVMA’s CE Portal with 550+ free courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500+ Free legal services (15-minute consultations). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50+ Free financial advice (15-minute consultatations) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50+ MVMA online directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $75 Free relief vet ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50–200 Discounted x-ray badges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25–500+ Discounts on classified ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30–$200 Discounted human resource/payroll service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50–500+ Discounted office supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50–500+ Discounted office equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50–500+ Discounted Dish network service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $195+ Discounted ADT security systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,200+ Discounted Hertz car rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10–100+ Discounted credit card processing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50–500+ Discounted business consultation services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50–250+ Discounted phone, Internet, data services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50–250+ Discounted Spectrum surgical instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50–500+ Discounted Lands End business attire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50–250+ Discounted practice management webinars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10–120+ Discounted burial & cremation services (5%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50+ Discounted MSU Federal Credit Union products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50+ Discounted FedEx express and ground shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50+ Discounted hotels (60,000+ hotels worldwide) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50–200+ Discounted EarthLink Internet/data/voice/IT services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100+ Discounted cloud file storage (10%). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50+ Discounted identity protection (15%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100–200+ Discounted online accounting services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100–500+ Discounted Legal Consents for Veterinary Practice (15%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25+ Discounted prescriptions, dental, and vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500+ Discounted USPS software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5–25+ Discounted background checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15–50+ Free Client Satisfaction Surveys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500+ Free “Cost of Compassion” brochures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35–75 Free “Pet Health Insurance” brochures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35–75 Free “Learn Before You Leap” brochures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35–75 Free Rabies Protocol Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10 Long-term care insurance discount (1 person) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .approx. $150 Disability insurance (15% discount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .approx. $175 Auto and homeowners insurance (10% discount) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50–200 Veterinary Career Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25–200+ Model Animal Hospital Personnel Policies Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,200+ Michigan Law for Veterinary Professionals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100 Legislative representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . priceless Client referral services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . priceless MVMA “Members Only” access on the website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . priceless Complaint resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . priceless

TOTAL SAVINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,785–12,130

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

committees, meetings & events due to the number of requests for ce announcements, the michigan veterinarian limits listings to ce programs in michigan.

GREAT LAKES VETERINARY CONFERENCE July 23–25, 2017

MVMA/MSU·CVM LEGISLATIVE DAY n

Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, MI

March 14, 2017

MVMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS n

House Building, Lansing Meet your legislators and learn about legislative issues!

House Building, Lansing n

MICHIGAN VETERINARY CONFERENCE

Lansing Center & Radisson Hotel, Lansing, MI

Health, Lansing

MVMA ANIMAL WELFARE CONFERENCE November 20, 2017 @ 8:00 am–5:00 pm n

Practice Management (Nick Nelson, DVM)

Legislative (Dr. Cathy Anderson, Chair)

Public Health (Dr. Joe Kline, Chair)

veterinarians: Urinary Disease (Dr. Joe Bartges) March 15, 2017

March 14, 2017 @ 9:30 am (House Bldg, Lansing)

June 7, 2017 @ 1:30 pm

technicians: Urinalysis (Dr. Joe Bartges) March 15, 2017

Visit the website at www.semvma.com for additional details.

September 6, 2017 @ 1:30 pm December 20, 2017 @ 1:30 pm Meetings held in the MVMA ofﬁce unless noted.

SAGINAW VALLEY VMA n

Meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of

(Tammy Grubb, DVM, PhD, MS, BA, Dipl ACVAA)

February, March, April, May, September, and

April 4, 2018

October. Dinner starts at 6:45 pm with a brief

Seminars 10:00 am–5:30 pm at the East Lansing Marriott. Contact MVMA at (517) 347-4710 or register online at www.michvma.org.

December 6, 2017

Anesthesia & Pain Management

SEMVMA CE PROGRAM

November 29, 2017 @ noon

March 15, 2017 @ 1:30 pm

Geriatrics (Steve Thompson, DVM)

wildblue.net.

September 13, 2017 @ noon

Exotics (Angela Lennox, DVM, DABVP Avian)

March 7, 2018 n

Executive (Dr. Bruce Cozzens, Chair) June 21, 2017 @ noon

Ophthalmology (David Wilkie, DVM, MS, DACVO) November 1, 2017

3rd Thursday of each month, January–May and

Contact Jeff Johnson, DVM, (616) 837-8151, or jdandcj2008@ n

Dermatology (Robert Kennis, DVM, MS, DACVD) October 4, 2017

Veterinarian CE Seminars

MVMA COMMITTEES

September 13, 2017 n

WESTERN MICHIGAN VMA n

September–November @ 7:00 pm / Grand Rapids

OSHA (Philip Seibert Jr., CVT) April 5, 2017

December 13, 2017 University Club, Lansing

Saturday, November 4, 2017 @ 11 am–3 pm Macomb Community Colleges

MVMA SMALL ANIMAL SEMINARS

September 27, 2017 University Club, Lansing

PEOPLE, PETS & VETS

MSU Pavilion, East Lansing, MI

May 24 & December 12, 2017 Diagnostic Center for Population & Animal

July 25, 2017 Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES CERTIFICATION

January 26–28, 2018

March 14, 2017

the michigan veterinarian · spring 2017

meeting at 7:00 followed by the scientiﬁc presentation. All meetings are held at the Brewery in Frankenmuth. RSVP required.

the michigan veterinarian Âˇ spring 2017

michigan veterinary medical association 2144 Commons Parkway, Okemos, MI 48864-3986 Professional excellence. Compassionate care.

ONE NUMBERS IMPORTANT PH inary Medicine MI Board of Veter 8 91 5-0 33 7) (51 acy MI Board of Pharm 7 73 3-1 (517) 37

ce DEA: Detroit offi (313) 234-4000 DEA: toll-free (800) 230-6844 terinarian MDARD State Ve 9 93 2-3 29 0) (80 ces h & Human Servi MI Dept. of Healt (517) 335-8165 h Certificates State of MI Healt 7 76 (517) 284-5 –Accreditation USDA, APHIS, VS alth Certificates He al & Internation (517) 337-4700

Presort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Lansing, MI Permit #713