2023 Award Recipients

The 2023 Executive of the Year was presented to John Tramontana, Michigan VMA. VMAE is pleased to loudly recognize John as this year’s Veterinary Medical Association Executive of the Year. Some of his highlights include:

• A full scale strategic planning retreat for the Michigan VMA board which was completed in his first year with much of the plan completed over the last three years.
• Financial stability has been maintained, even with the pandemic and the lack of in person CE during that time.
• A new organizational membership model was instituted that has led to an increase in our membership.
• Increased communication and interaction with affiliated members of the veterinary profession including veterinary techs, office staff, etc. There has
  been a continued effort to foster relations with the college of veterinary medicine and veterinarians working in our state government.
• Expansion of the Michigan VMA quarterly news magazine and the establishment of a weekly email letter the Weekly Paws.
• Made Advocacy a cornerstone of their mission. The PAC has increased by a twenty-fold amount largely in part by his leadership.
• Increased members involvement not only in the state association but in the AVMA. More members have joined AVMA committees than in the
  past.

Besides all of these accomplishments with his association, the recipient has become a national and state leader in the field of veterinary medical executives. He currently serves on the VMAE Board of Directors and is Co-chair of your DEI Committee. He is the current President of the state executive’s association and
passionately serving a second term on the local school board. Congratulations John!

When it comes to emergency situations, having a strong relationship between veterinarians and emergency personnel is key. The Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) established the Pet Oxygen Mask Kit program to aid in connecting veterinarians with first responders. By partnering with KVMA, members are now able to purchase pet oxygen kits and provide them to their local fire departments and first responders to help save pet lives in emergency situations.

KVMA is working with their members to ensure every county emergency vehicle is equipped with a pet oxygen kit. The program has garnered attention from local news outlets bringing positive attention to the KVMA and its’ members. Since the program’s inception in 2019, there have been 433 oxygen masks purchased and personally delivered to emergency providers by their members. In addition, the KVMA has been notified of 3 pets who were saved by the use of the pet oxygen mask provided through this program.

As they should be, the KVMA is proud of this very important project that helps our pets in emergency situations. The veterinary clinics are appreciative of having the opportunity to give back to their communities in this way. This partnership is helping save pet lives in Kentucky!