14 Feb VMAE Active at VLC

VMAE members, volunteers, and staff were active and visible during the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference in January.  Here’s a sampling:

• Issues in Vet Med track – The educational debt playbook (see item above) was featured during the session “Beyond Dollars and Cents: Leadership in Student Debt Strategies” with playbook information and case studies presented by Candace Joy, Jack Advent and Ralph Johnson. The session also included presentations by AVMA and AAVMC, who along with VMAE co-lead the Veterinary Debt Initiative.
• Hot Topics track – “Time Consumption for YOU – How and What” was presented by Lisa Perius, Dr. Lloyd Reitz (a graduate of the Pennsylvania VMA’s Power of 10 program), and Ralph Johnson.  The session discussed the connection between wellbeing and “consuming” or reserving time for personal reflection and development.  Tactics such as a time and energy audit and asking empowering questions were shared with participants along with a range of resources to support personal development.
• Board of Directors meeting – VMAE’s leadership team met to entertain reports from work groups, staff, and volunteers and to address agenda items including member benefits, potential bylaws amendments, electronic voting, and logo use by partners.
• Membership luncheon – More than 60 VMAE members gathered to network and to hear updates from VMAE’s leadership about organizational initiatives and upcoming educational opportunities for members.