I am humbled by the incredible honor of becoming your new AVMA president. I assume this important responsibility with a commitment to serving you alongside a great team of fellow AVMA officers, Board and House members, many volunteers, and staff.
Respectfully, I step into this role thanks to the guidance and support of so many people. I want to thank Dr. Michael Topper for serving as our president during this past year and for providing an example of exemplary servant leadership. I will build on his vision for the AVMA as I contribute the efforts of my term to this association's rich history.
As president-elect this past year, I had many wonderful experiences that helped me prepare for the AVMA presidency. The calendar of an AVMA officer may be exhausting, but having the opportunity to serve you, this outstanding association, and our noble profession makes it important and worthwhile.
In my extensive travels and meetings with people from all walks of veterinary life, I have communicated the AVMA's vision to protect, promote, and advance the veterinary profession. I have spoken with several media outlets, actively participated in industry meetings, and been a part of discussions about issues important to the profession, such as student debt, wellbeing, and diversity and inclusion.
I have also worked to share news about the important work of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, the AVMA Political Action Committee, and our newly formed umbrella insurance trust, which will continually evolve to ensure that your needs are met now and into the future. In between this role and serving as a recent AVMA Board chair, I have continued to advocate for the AVMA and the profession and will continue to do so as president, knowing that our members make this profession as special as it is.
In taking the reins as AVMA president, my primary goal and vision for the AVMA is to focus on member-identified priorities. I am particularly committed to advocating on behalf of veterinary medicine to the public as well as to our federal and state lawmakers. It is important for the public to know who we are and to have a greater understanding and appreciation of the breadth of our profession in areas like food animal production, public health, animal welfare, epidemiology, research, companion animal practice, and so much more. We must work to make the AVMA much better known, because we are the worldwide standard of excellence in veterinary medicine.
I intend to achieve this by working with our dedicated and talented AVMA staff to optimize our visibility through every form of media possible—from meetings and in-person events to print media, social media, radio, and television. My energy and enthusiasm is driven by my love of veterinary medicine, and I ask you to bring your passion for our profession and join me in these efforts.
We have made great progress over the past year in so many areas, and we are building on that momentum. We are working on ways to best address our members’ wellbeing and to partner with key stakeholders to make veterinary medicine a stronger and healthier profession. We are putting ideas into action around issues related to education and economics and will continue working on real solutions to help ease the financial burdens on our students and young veterinarians.
Veterinarians, by the nature of what we do, serve animals and humans alike ethically and with humility, compassion, empathy, and respect. We can all be stronger advocates for our profession while remaining true to our core principles and our oath.
We in veterinary medicine must be united to be strong. We need to be advocates for each other and for our profession, and we must find our collective voice to promote the value of our incredible profession.
I look forward to the journey ahead and to working with all of you to achieve the AVMA's vision on behalf of veterinary medicine.
I want to hear from you. Please reach out to me with your comments, questions and concerns at presidentscolumn@avma.org.