AVMA House of Delegates Winter 2022 Session Report

House of Delegates winter 2022 Session report

By Dr. Christina Dougherty, Delegate Dr. Kate Boatright, Alternate Delegate

The AVMA House of Delegates winter session was held in a hybrid format during the 2022 Veterinary Leadership Conference in January.

While many interesting presentations were made by officers and staff of the AVMA during the Plenary Session that took place before the HOD meeting, one such offering touched on a few insightful concerns reflecting the issues facing the profession in the near future.

Dr. Matthew Salois, the AVMA’s chief economist, gave a prediction of a somewhat slow economic recovery for the profession following the impact of COVID-19. He indicated what many suspect: that a complete return to pre-pandemic conditions may never occur, based on a number of factors impacting veterinarians and veterinary practice now, as well as what may be coming on the horizon.

1. The changes in workforce numbers affecting patient care and revenue flow. 2. The extremes of expenditures by pet owners during lockdown periods, causing a roller-coaster effect on hospital revenues. 3. With increased consumer pricing in all sectors, the marginal end-increase in revenue in the pet sector may not be sustainable long term because consumers will need to choose where to spend discretionary funds. 4. The lack of productivity in hospitals because of staff turnover affecting mental health as well as the bottom line. 5. The stress and anxiety accompanying the pandemic may drive more veterinarians out of the profession.

One other significant concern raised by Dr. Salois had to do with the recent introduction of the mid-level professional concept being developed at the veterinary university level in the US. While not yet validated under state practice acts, he brought forth the possibility of legal risks to veterinarians and their practices employing these individuals, as well as worries that the degree, if not eventually recognized, may cause a huge financial burden to graduates of such programs. of license portability, members of the HOD shared input from members across the country that license portability would be beneficial in some lines of work and for those living in close proximity to multiple state borders. The HOD approved a recommendation for the AVMA Board of Directors to explore the topic of license portability further.

On the topic of expanding AVMA membership, the HOD recommended that the AVMA discuss with the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) and the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) how best to collaborate and strengthen all organizations and the profession as a whole.

Five resolutions were considered during the business session. The full text of each resolution is available at bit.ly/2022AVMAHOD:

• Resolution 1: Policy on rabies • Resolution 2: Revised policy on annual rabies vaccination waiver • Resolution 3: New policy on food safety • Resolution 4: New policy of supporting the collection of antimicrobial use data of antimicrobial stewardship • Resolution 5: Revised policy on guidelines for classifying veterinary facilities

Resolutions 1 through 4 were approved. Resolution 5 was referred back to the Board of Directors for continued consideration.

Finally, Dr. Grace Bransford and Dr. Renee Carlson, both running for the position of AVMA President-Elect, offered their thoughts on the future of the AVMA and their visions of the organization as its future leader, while Dr. Jennifer Quammen spoke as the only candidate for the AVMA Vice-Presidential position. Elections for these offices will take place during the summer HOD meeting.

The next House of Delegates meeting will be held in late July in Philadelphia, when the AVMA Convention comes to our home state. We hope you will join us in Philadelphia! As always, it is our pleasure to represent you on the AVMA House of Delegates and we encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns.