Checking in on SAVMA's Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC)

SAVMA's very own Governmental Affairs Committee helped sponsor three Economic Initiatives and Education Integrated Outreach (EIEIO) Events. Read on to see how SAVMA is helping to empower students in this difficult economic climate:

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On February 27, 2013, the Purdue University VBMA Chapter (Veterinary Business Management Association) hosted a panel of Veterinarians and office managers that spoke about a variety of topics relevant to the successful management of Veterinary practices. The panel consisted of Equine, Swine, and Small Animal Veterinarians, a manager from a Chicago shelter, an administrator of the VCA hospitals and a director of a wildlife clinic. The panel answered questions concerning how to run a practice in terms of hiring and firing, decisions about cost of services, what to look for in an employee, how they manage their staff, and other similar questions. Along with the predetermined list of questions, there was also a part of the meeting where students would be able to ask the panel more directed, specific questions. The event also provided opportunities to network with these members of the profession, both before and after the question sessions. This event was made possible by the cooperation of several other clubs that helped to arrange the speakers for the panel. The other clubs included SCAVMA, Shelter Medicine, Exotics, SVECCS and Food Animal Club. The panel was attended by over 170 students, staff and faculty of Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Thank you to SAVMA for their help in funding this event!

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The Minnesota Chapter of the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) hosted a day-long seminar for members on February 23, 2013. The event, sponsored by Boehringer-Ingelheim and SAVMA through the Economic Initiatives and Education Integrated Outreach Grant (EIEIO), featured Dr. Andrew Clark, DVM, MBA, a respected equine practitioner and former CEO of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Dr. Clark owns a veterinary consulting business and is an active speaker throughout the country. Dr. Clark presented on financial strategic planning and the model of veterinary business to 75 first through third year veterinary students. Emphasized was how to interpret financial statements, manage a business to increase its return on investment, and analyze a practice before accepting employment. Dr. Clark explained how a student can be successful, understand, and participate in these processes from day one. This was one of the best-attended weekend events for the Minnesota VBMA in its existence, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Thank you to Dr. Clark, BoehringerIngelheim, and SAVMA for making the event possible.

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On Feburary 21st the Washington State Student Chapter of the American Animal Hospital Association held a lunch Webinar titled “Today’s Critical Veterinary Issues and What They Mean to You.” The event was sponsored by SAVMA Economic Initiatives and Education Integrated Outreach (EIEIO) Grant and approximately 60 students were in attendance. The event was open to veterinary students first through fourth year. The webinar presented students with the current economic overview and supply and demand in the veterinary industry. It also addressed the recent Bayer Care Study that highlights some very important current aspects of the profession. These important topics are not addressed in out curriculum but are critical issues for a new graduate to understand when entering into a profession in this economic climate. The webinar was presented by AAHA, an organization which is committed to excellence and providing veterinarians with quality education opportunities. AAHA understands the veterinary economics and provides an indispensible service. We had excellent participation in the webinar and student members got a lot out of the event.

On February 27, 2013, the Purdue University VBMA Chapter (Veterinary Business Management Association) hosted a panel of Veterinarians and office managers that spoke about a variety of topics relevant to the successful management of Veterinary practices. The panel consisted of Equine, Swine, and Small Animal Veterinarians, a manager from a Chicago shelter, an administrator of the VCA hospitals and a director of a wildlife clinic. The panel answered questions concerning how to run a practice in terms of hiring and firing, decisions about cost of services, what to look for in an employee, how they manage their staff, and other similar questions. Along with the predetermined list of questions, there was also a part of the meeting where students would be able to ask the panel more directed, specific questions. The event also provided opportunities to network with these members of the profession, both before and after the question sessions. This event was made possible by the cooperation of several other clubs that helped to arrange the speakers for the panel. The other clubs included SCAVMA, Shelter Medicine, Exotics, SVECCS and Food Animal Club. The panel was attended by over 170 students, staff and faculty of Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Thank you to SAVMA for their help in funding this event!
___________________________The Minnesota Chapter of the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) hosted a day-long seminar for members on February 23, 2013. The event, sponsored by Boehringer-Ingelheim and SAVMA through the Economic Initiatives and Education Integrated Outreach Grant (EIEIO), featured Dr. Andrew Clark, DVM, MBA, a respected equine practitioner and former CEO of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Dr. Clark owns a veterinary consulting business and is an active speaker throughout the country. Dr. Clark presented on financial strategic planning and the model of veterinary business to 75 first through third year veterinary students. Emphasized was how to interpret financial statements, manage a business to increase its return on investment, and analyze a practice before accepting employment. Dr. Clark explained how a student can be successful, understand, and participate in these processes from day one. This was one of the best-attended weekend events for the Minnesota VBMA in its existence, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Thank you to Dr. Clark, BoehringerIngelheim, and SAVMA for making the event possible.
___________________On Feburary 21st the Washington State Student Chapter of the American Animal Hospital Association held a lunch Webinar titled “Today’s Critical Veterinary Issues and What They Mean to You.” The event was sponsored by SAVMA Economic Initiatives and Education Integrated Outreach (EIEIO) Grant and approximately 60 students were in attendance. The event was open to veterinary students first through fourth year. The webinar presented students with the current economic overview and supply and demand in the veterinary industry. It also addressed the recent Bayer Care Study that highlights some very important current aspects of the profession. These important topics are not addressed in out curriculum but are critical issues for a new graduate to understand when entering into a profession in this economic climate. The webinar was presented by AAHA, an organization which is committed to excellence and providing veterinarians with quality education opportunities. AAHA understands the veterinary economics and provides an indispensible service. We had excellent participation in the webinar and student members got a lot out of the event.