From ��TV Leadership

Spotlight on the Pathways to Competency Task Force

Michelle — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:42:55 +0000

Spotlight on the Pathways to Competency Task Force Michelle Wed, 8 Apr 2026 - 15:42

Our objective is to build a simple, clear, high-level assessment device to support resident training.
”

📽️ Watch Towards a Competency-Based Educational Framework for ��TV Residency Training Programs, a webinar on the Pathway to Competency Task Force's work presented by Dr. Sarah Gillings and Dr. Jane Sykes.

Why was the Pathways to Competency Task Force established?
Our purpose is to construct a core competency-based framework to support training and evaluation of ��TV residents. Core competencies will apply universally across all ��TV specialties, and each specialty will also have the opportunity to consider the addition of specialty-specific competencies.

We elected to adapt the structure of the framework used by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), which evaluates and accredits graduate medical training programs in the US. The ACGME has given us permission to use any of their materials, and has provided support rooted in their experience with application of these frameworks over the past 20 years. Our objective is to build a simple, clear, high-level assessment device to support resident training.

Can you describe the composition of the Task Force and explain your role in particular?
The Task Force includes at least one representative from each specialty, with a goal of including perspectives across practice types and species. I serve as a liaison between the task force and the Board of Regents, and also bring a small animal private practice lens to the work.

The Task Force has just finished phase one of our work, and we recently assembled small groups from each specialty who will provide feedback on the core framework and will propose any specialty-specific competencies.

How does the Task Force’s work contribute to the overall mission/goals of the ��TV?
The BOR has been aware of, and actively discussing, the trend toward competency-based training systems for several years. We believe that this work will have a positive impact on the experience and wellbeing of all individuals involved in resident training, in addition to providing an opportunity for improved oversight of training programs.

How can ��TV members learn more about the Task Force’s work?
The Task Force Chair, Dr. Jane Sykes, and I recently hosted a webinar that reviewed what competency frameworks are, the ACGME’s role, how their frameworks have evolved over time, and the process that our Task Force is using. Following the presentation we received many great questions. We hope to continue discussion around this topic during the upcoming 2026 ��TV Forum in Seattle, with more details on that front to be shared soon.

We are currently discussing timelines for testing the utility of the framework and are hoping we may be able to start as early as summer 2026. If you're interested in participating in this work or validation, please email Certification@acvim.org.

Sarah Gillings, DVM, MS, D��TV (Oncology)

Immediate Past Chair, Board of Regents

January 2026 Message from the President

Michelle — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:38:14 +0000

January 2026 Message from the President Michelle Fri, 16 Jan 2026 - 10:38

"...the Board is defining activities designed to cement the ��TV’s position as the leading hub for specialty knowledge, expanding our reach across the veterinary care continuum while emphasizing Diplomates as key opinion leaders."
”

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year! I am excited to step into the role of President of the ��TV and to serve as the voice of Diplomates, and I thank you for allowing me the privilege of leading the College this year.

BOARD MEMBER UPDATES

I would like to first recognize those members of the Board of Regents whose terms ended in 2025 and welcome our newest members who will represent you in 2026: Dr. Chad Johannes’ term as Oncology Specialty President has ended, and Dr. Jenna Burton will ascend to the role this year. Dr. Glenna Mauldin’s term as Nutrition Specialty President has also ended, with Dr. Robert Van Saun ascending to the role. Dr. Raelene Wouda's time as Certification Liaison has ended, with Dr. Rebecca Saunders stepping into the role this year, and Dr. Charles Vite has joined the Board as President-Elect. Finally, Dr. Joerg Steiner’s time on the Board concluded after serving as Specialty President, ��TV President, Chair, and Immediate Past-Chair. Please join me in extending thanks to Drs. Johannes, Mauldin, Wouda and Steiner for their years of dedicated service to the College.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

At the end of 2025, the Board completed a year-long strategic planning process to guide the future of the ��TV and to continue investing in our core foundation of rigorous residency training, high-quality certification, and best-in-class continuing education.

To realize this mission, the Board is defining activities designed to cement the ��TV’s position as the leading hub for specialty knowledge, expanding our reach across the veterinary care continuum while emphasizing Diplomates as key opinion leaders. To achieve this, we intend to:

Continue to provide rigorous, specialist-level learning for ��TV Diplomates and Candidates while exploring tailored educational opportunities that support referring veterinarians and the broader veterinary care team.
Cultivate our exclusive specialist community that emphasizes and articulates the unique value of specialists.
Intentionally engage industry partners, students, general veterinary practitioners, and animal owners in areas of shared interest.

The Board will meet in February to finalize the strategic objectives and priorities that align with these goals. I look forward to sharing the output of this meeting with you, and to engaging with the wider Diplomate community to make this vision a reality as our college continues to grow in both size and impact.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or to other members of the Board if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to serve you.

Sincerely,

Munashe Chigerwe, BVSc, MPH, PhD, D��TV (LAIM), MScVetEd

��TV President

October 2025 Message from the President

megan — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:14:05 +0000

October 2025 Message from the President megan Tue, 14 Oct 2025 - 09:14

Dear ��TV Community,

It’s hard to believe that we’re entering the final quarter of 2025 – and even as the year winds down, things are certainly not slowing down within our College.

In July, the ��TV transitioned to a new Association Management System, or AMS: a significant undertaking that required many hours of hard work and troubleshooting by our dedicated staff team. This is part of an overall initiative to modernize the ��TV’s technology platforms and will include the launch of a new Candidate tracking platform which will make logging and tracking Candidates’ progress to Board-certification more efficient. More information will be shared about the platform in the coming months.

The forthcoming Candidate and program tracking platform may sound familiar to those who attended the Certification Town Hall on September 22nd. Led by the ��TV Certification Council, the town hall touched on topics ranging from exam scores to future Certification Council priorities. I certainly learned a lot during the meeting, and I hope everyone who attended found it similarly useful and informative. If you missed it, you can watch the recording here.

I am continually impressed by the Advanced Continuing Education offerings put forth this year, including the recent Large Animal Candidate Boot Camp that took place at Purdue University in late September. Candidates were able to work with Diplomate experts, practicing advanced procedures and gaining hands-on training in equine and ruminant medicine. Thank you to Boehringer Ingelheim and Antech for their support, and thank you to everyone both inside and outside of the ��TV who worked to bring a course of this caliber to our Candidates.

Finally, I want to recognize the results of the recent ��TV election: Dr. Charles Vite is our 2026 ��TV President-elect; Dr. Heidi Kellihan is our Cardiology President-elect, Dr. Meera Heller is our LAIM President-elect; Dr. Talisha Moore is our Neurology President-elect; Dr. Laura Gaylord is our Certification Council Nutrition Representative-elect, and Dr. Rose Baker is our Certification Council LAIM Representative-elect. A huge thank you to all our candidates and to everyone who participated by voting – this process is central to the progression of the ��TV.

I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of this year has in store for our College, and I wish you a safe and happy fall.

Henry W. Green, III, DVM, D��TV (Cardiology)

President, ��TV

July 2025 Message from the President

megan — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:48:49 +0000

July 2025 Message from the President megan Tue, 15 Jul 2025 - 14:48

Dear ��TV Community,

It was great to see everyone who could attend this year’s in-person ��TV Forum in Louisville, KY, and to be able to spend time with so many colleagues and friends. This year’s conference showcased a great deal of invigorating continuing education and highlighted exciting research that demonstrates our community’s continued dedication to advancing veterinary medicine and specialty care.

Beyond the excellent clinical and scientific information imparted by the fantastic line-up of speakers, I truly enjoyed several of the workshops and special events held during this year’s Forum. The pre-Forum Volunteer Leadership Convening was particularly thought-provoking, in which ��TV leaders, staff and Diplomate volunteers worked for a full day to identify and prioritize initiatives that will help shape how the ��TV will function and serve our members 10 years from now. You can read a summary of the day’s work here.

Speaking of the future, celebrating those who will be responsible for implementing a number of these future endeavors was another highlight of my Forum experience. What an honor it was to officially welcome and celebrate 185 new Diplomates to the ��TV during the Specialty Symposium Reception and New Diplomate Certificate Ceremony.

The Recognition Awards Luncheon was another great moment, during which time we honored the hard work of some of our lifelong volunteers and the achievements of our esteemed colleagues. It was wonderful to celebrate the efforts and careers of this year’s award recipients—all are truly deserving of these honors for their time given to the ��TV and for their outstanding career achievements. Friday’s Colleagues and Cocktails event was a great way to close out the week with friends and colleagues and to raise awareness for those organizations in veterinary medicine advocating for a more inclusive and diverse future.

For those who were unable to join us in person, livestreamed courses and on-demand access to educational content presented during the Forum have been made available through October, something I know our busy members are grateful for. With that in mind, I would like to extend my thanks to the ��TV Forum Planning Committees and ��TV staff for putting on a virtual and in-person event that is a wonderful demonstration of all our organization has to offer.

This year’s Forum truly underlined our shared dedication to shaping a thriving and equitable future for the ��TV and veterinary specialty medicine in the wonderful backdrop of our host city, Louisville, KY. I look forward to the rest of whatever this fast-moving year has to offer and wish you all success throughout the remainder of the summer.

All the best,

Henry W. Green, III, DVM, D��TV (Cardiology)

President, ��TV

December 2024 Message from the President

sd_dev — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:23:14 +0000

December 2024 Message from the President sd_dev Mon, 16 Dec 2024 - 15:23

Dear fellow Diplomates,

As we approach the end of the year, I am proud to reflect on the significant achievements and progress we have made as an organization in 2024. While a detailed summary will be shared in the 2024 Impact Report early in 2025, I’m pleased to share some of the highlights.

New exams were administered for the first time this year after intensive redevelopment efforts by Diplomate volunteers, ��TV staff, and exam professionals. The Certification Town Hall held in September allowed Diplomates to learn more about exam changes and to review this year’s General and Specialty Exam results.
We welcomed 181 new Diplomates in the Class of 2024, all of whom were recognized in ceremony during the 2024 ��TV Forum. This ceremony was one of the highlights of my year as President!
Speaking of our annual conference, the 2024 ��TV Forum was held this June in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with sessions available online through October. Over 2,500 veterinary professionals attended in person – many of whom I was able to meet! – and enjoyed the advanced education and networking only Forum can provide. I have also directly received feedback appreciating our ongoing commitment to providing virtual Forum content, expanding accessibility of this valuable educational resource.
Ten ACE courses took place this year, as well as 9 additional educational webinars. Our incredible staff and ACE Committee do a tremendous job of developing advanced learning opportunities in cutting-edge topics for Diplomates and Candidates.
The new ��TV Fellowship program established in 2023 saw its first two new ��TV Fellows: Dr. Jocelyn Mott in feline and canine diabetes, and Dr. Lauren Markovic in interventional cardiology.
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee started their work this year, guided by the DEI Blueprint developed in 2023 and chaired by Dr. Ruthanne Chun. The Board continues to engage closely with the DEI Committee to ensure the DEI perspective is embedded in decision-making across the organization. Dr. Chun will continue to attend Board meetings to support this ongoing dialogue.

NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING ITEMS

During the recent November Board meeting, we had the opportunity to review many of the year’s accomplishments while also outlining priorities for 2025. The Board approved a budget that included a new Member Assistance Program, a Candidate Fee Waiver Program, and a multiyear research project focused on the perception of veterinary specialty medicine among the public and primary care practitioners. Recognizing the financial pressure on Candidates, the budget also keeps Candidate Fees unchanged for the fourth year straight.

The Board continues to focus on optimizing the residency training experience for all stakeholders. We are doing this internally by implementing RTP oversight tactics, including surveys to Candidates and mentors, and continuing to work across specialties to standardize and streamline requirements wherever possible. This is also being done externally by advocating for third-party oversight of programs with the AVMA and other specialty groups.

THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF!

Last, but certainly not least, I’d like to thank those members of the Board whose service is coming to an end this year: a huge thank you to Dr. Jane Sykes and Dr. Roger Hostutler, who have both dedicated so much of their time and effort to the advancement of our college. I’d also like to welcome new and onboarding members of the Board:

Dr. Henry W. Green ascends to the role of President
Dr. Jana Raessler will begin her role as SAIM Specialty President
Dr. Munashe Chigerwe will begin observing as President-Elect and join the Board in 2026
Dr. Bob Van Saun will begin observing as Nutrition Specialty President-Elect and join the Board in 2026
Dr. Jenna Burton will begin observing as Oncology Specialty President-Elect and join the Board in 2026

I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve as your President this year, and as I move into the role of Chair in 2025, I remain dedicated to ensuring that you feel both represented and informed, as well as confident in our future trajectory. I encourage you to reach out to me or to any member of the Board with questions, concerns or feedback at any time. Our wonderful, hardworking staff team are also available to assist you throughout your career.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Sarah Gillings, DVM, MS, D��TV (Oncology)

��TV President

Message from the President: A Preview of our 2025 Priorities

sd_dev — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 19:37:07 +0000

Message from the President: A Preview of our 2025 Priorities sd_dev Mon, 12 Aug 2024 - 12:37

Dear Diplomates,

The year continues to fly by, and as summer draws to a close, I am pleased to share with you the ��TV’s priorities for 2025. This preview of the coming year includes the new or expanded activities we’re planning to begin in 2025, which are in addition to the ongoing growth, development and quality improvement of all our existing offerings. These priorities reflect our current commitment to enhancing the member experience, elevating the standards of our profession, and fostering a community that thrives on innovation, collaboration and excellence.

Strategic Objective 1: Member Engagement and Outreach

Advocacy Tools and Resources – Provide resources to support members in advocating for legislation or regulation that advances the interests of veterinary medicine.
Member Needs Assessment Update – Conduct a member needs’ assessment to guide future strategic priorities and understand drivers of member satisfaction.
Vet Specialist Perception Research – Conduct research on the perception of veterinary specialty medicine among veterinary generalists and the animal owning public so that ��TV communications and outreach efforts speak to the views of those audiences.
Member Assistance Program – Provide Candidates and members with complimentary face-to-face, virtual, or telephonic mental health counseling sessions in addition to work-life, legal, and financial resources and services.
Further Resident/Candidate Engagement – Expand current efforts to redefine the relationship between ��TV and our Candidates so that they view us as a partner and catalyst for their success and are eager to engage as members post-residency.
Compensation and Benefits Survey and Report – Conduct a survey of veterinary specialists and provide members with complimentary access to aggregated survey and benefits data.

Strategic Objective 2: Training and Education

Comprehensive update to RTP requirements – Guided by the Training Optimization Task Force (TOTF), and the input of ��TV leaders and members, update RTP requirements so that they are achievable and manageable for all stakeholders.
Develop competencies for veterinary specialty– Actively participate in ongoing efforts to define competencies for veterinary specialty medicine.
Continued engagement re: independent oversight – Contribute to dialogue around training program quality and the feasibility of third-party oversight of RTPs.
Expanded educational offerings: Build new suite of educational webinars to provide members with complimentary access to virtual learning opportunities.

Strategic Objective 3: Certification

Item Bank Development & Reference Resources – Replenish and update certification question banks and determine plan for obtaining access to needed reference materials to support item writing committees.

Strategic Objective 4: Leadership

Develop Volunteer Leadership Competencies – Identify and offer learning opportunities that develop competencies that align with ��TV volunteer roles.
Expand Volunteer Recognition and Reward – Expand incentives for ��TV members who contribute time and talent to ��TV initiatives.

Strategic Objective 5: Research and Discovery

Launch ��TV Endorsed Statement (AES) program – Build on trial conducted in 2023, update an existing Consensus Statement using the new AES model.
Deliver AI Task Force Outcomes – Publish AI Task Force expert statement on key considerations in AI deployment and deliver educational offerings on AI-related topics at the ��TV Forum and as part of an ��TV webinar series.
Synthesize and share current and ongoing research – Bring together and promote ��TV research resources to foster partnerships and broaden awareness of research in veterinary specialty medicine.

Strategic Objective 6: Implement DEI Roadmap Activities

Implement programs to reduce the financial barriers of becoming a Diplomate, ensure RTP programs are safe spaces for Candidates, and offer and/or disseminate DEI education and resources.

It is my hope that the initiatives outlined above align with your priorities as an ��TV Diplomate and will meet your evolving needs as a specialist of veterinary internal medicine. As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions, concerns, or feedback. I look forward to working alongside each of you as we bring these objectives to life.

Sincerely,

Sarah Gillings, DVM, MS, D��TV (Oncology)

��TV President

April 2024 Message from the President

megan — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 17:43:31 +0000

April 2024 Message from the President megan Tue, 23 Apr 2024 - 10:43

Dear Diplomates,

I hope this message finds you well and thriving in your professional endeavors! As we welcome Spring and move into the second quarter of 2024, I’m pleased to provide an update on some of the work taking place within the ��TV.

First, the call for certification-related committee volunteers is open until April 24, and I encourage you to explore the opportunities available if you are at all interested in becoming a volunteer. Serving on one of our many committees is simply the best way to get involved with the ��TV and offers valuable opportunities to make a lasting impact on our organization and the field at large. And, if you’re interested in leadership positions, it’s the perfect place to start!

Next, I’m pleased to share that the MentorVet Lead for New Diplomates pilot program kicked off March 25 and will continue for six months. The inaugural cohort, comprised of 15 early-career ��TV Diplomates, will engage in online learning, peer support, coaching and mentorship tailored to specialists and their unique needs. A special thank you to Chewy Health for their support of the program and for fully sponsoring the first two cohorts! The second cohort will start recruiting this Fall, so keep an eye out for that announcement if you are interested in getting involved as a mentor or mentee.

Finally, and as we all know, artificial intelligence (AI) is today’s hot-button topic, and our profession is not immune to its impact. I am excited to announce that an ��TV Artificial Intelligence Taskforce has been established and will focus on the following goals:

Providing guidance on evidence-based use of AI and machine learning (ML) in veterinary medicine.
Promoting expertise and active AI/ML research within the ��TV membership.
Developing educational material to improve AI/ML literacy for the veterinary community.

The AI Taskforce is led by Dr. Krystle Reagan and is rounded out by six additional Diplomate volunteers across specialties, with CEO Shannon Carter acting as the staff liaison. You can expect to hear more about the AI Taskforce, their findings and eventual educational resources in the coming months.

As always, thank you for your continued dedication to veterinary specialty medicine. I know how full our plates tend to be as specialists, so your engagement and desire to remain informed is very much appreciated. I will close with a quick plug for the upcoming 2024 ��TV Forum – whether you attend virtually or in person in Minneapolis, it’s a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together to learn, collaborate and celebrate our achievements. I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Sarah Gillings, DVM, MS, D��TV (Oncology)

��TV President

January 2024 Message from the President

megan — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 21:04:58 +0000

January 2024 Message from the President megan Sun, 14 Jan 2024 - 14:04

Hello fellow Diplomates,

Happy New Year! I am honored to introduce myself as the new President of the ��TV and am very thankful for the opportunity to represent you this year.

Before diving into a preview of our planned work for this year, I’d like to start by recognizing my fellow Board members who are also beginning their terms in 2024:

Dr. Henry W. Green: ��TV President-Elect
Dr. Joshua Stern, Cardiology President
Dr Sandy Taylor: LAIM President
Dr. Sheila Carrera-Justiz, Neurology President
Dr. Brent Credille, Member At-Large
Dr. Tracy Hill, Member At-Large

Welcome, all! I am eager to work with you in the months ahead.

OUR 2024 PRIORITIES

I am pleased to share with you highlights of the priorities we will be focusing on throughout 2024.

Optimizing the residency training experience for all members of the educational team. This priority encompasses three lanes of work:
1. A comprehensive overview of training program requirements. We will make more incremental changes for the 2024 program year, but the large-scale redesign will be effective for 2025.
2. The implementation of an annual program evaluation process comprised of mentor surveys and resident exit interviews. Information from these activities, along with exam pass rates and other metrics, will populate a dashboard that will be shared with all program leaders.
3. Ongoing conversations with the AVMA and other specialty colleges about the growing interest in third-party residency training oversight, similar to the role played by the ACGME in human medicine.
Strengthen the coalition of veterinary specialty colleges and affiliated organizations. The ��TV has been a leader in assembling an informal network of other veterinary specialty colleges, now called the Veterinary Specialist Coalition. The VSC meets monthly to discuss areas of shared concern, which include building awareness of the value of specialty veterinary medicine and developing competencies for the profession.
Define and explore mechanisms to engage and provide professional development for paraprofessionals, particularly veterinary specialty technicians, in areas of our shared missions and interests. We will explore how to support the technician community, with the goal of helping our members provide quality care.
Expand the portfolio of educational offerings of interest to ��TV members and Candidates. While everyone is familiar with the ��TV Forum and ACE, we also are involved in other educational offerings and are looking to grow that portfolio through partnerships or other support mechanisms.
Modernize ��TV technology platforms, including the Candidate and program tracking platform, learning management system, and central member database. We have fallen behind in deploying the growing number of technological innovations now available in the marketplace and are making significant investments this year to upgrade these systems.
Define and implement an ��TV Endorsed Statement Program. The current Consensus Statement Program is being expanded to include three different types of statements: Consensus Statements, Systematic Reviews, and Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines. This work is being guided by the Education and Research Committee (ERC) and is being trialed by a current panel this year, to inform a launch in 2025.
Continue to promote the unique value of veterinary specialists to animal owners and DVMs. VetSpecialists.com is the most widely known tactic in our strategy to promote the value of veterinary specialists. We are building on the success of that tactic by working with members of the earlier mentioned VSC to create resources that all colleges can use to promote specialists.

In addition to this work, this year presents exciting opportunities for connection in our college, namely the 2024 ��TV Forum in Minneapolis, Minnesota in June. This will again be a hybrid conference, allowing those unable to join us in person to attend virtually from anywhere in the world. Furthermore, the 2024 schedule of virtual town halls is now published, so you can mark your calendars and plan to tune in to provide your input on various issues and topics throughout the year.

My sincerest thanks for your trust and support as we embark on this new year together. Here’s to a 2024 filled with growth, collaboration, and progress for the ��TV!

Sincerely,

Sarah Gillings, DVM, MS, D��TV (Oncology)

��TV President

October 2022 Message from the CEO

mjbarbick — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 05:04:59 +0000

October 2022 Message from the CEO mjbarbick Tue, 11 Oct 2022 - 22:04

I’m particularly proud of how the ��TV is leading these efforts and influencing change across veterinary medicine.
”

As my time in the role as the ��TV’s CEO draws to a close, I have been reflecting on what our organization has accomplished in the last three years. Having come into the role just three months before the pandemic hit, much of my tenure has been during a time of massive disruption to our operations. You’ve all felt that in your own lives and seen or experienced firsthand the impact this has had on the ��TV.

As Diplomates, we’ve seen our residents struggle when exams were cancelled the first year, then delivered electronically thereafter. While moving to virtual exams was a planned change, it was never intended to happen over such a short period of time. You are all likely aware that our exam processes are still in transition, and while we are through the hardest times, our staff remain committed to prioritizing exam redevelopment and refining the delivery processes over all other work.

Our signature event, the ��TV Forum, was also moved to a virtual environment the first and second years of the pandemic, with a hybrid model combining in-person and virtual learning offered this year. The amount of work that went into making those shifts so quickly cannot be overstated, as staff typically book locations for the conference five years in advance. The logistics for planning a conference of our size are staggering, and I’m proud of how our staff successfully transformed the event under very difficult circumstances.

Behind the scenes, we completed a thorough audit of the ��TV’s systems and processes, resulting in saved staff time and money. We’ve shored up our insurance coverage and revamped our governance practices, reducing organizational risk. We also sold our office condo, freeing up nearly a million dollars in assets to add to our investment accounts. Doing so allowed us to move to a co-working facility, giving our Denver staff more flexibility and allowing us to hire remote workers, broadening the staff candidate pool. While these are not the most glamorous accomplishments, they are the foundational pieces our organization needed to allow us to build upon.

I am also energized by the way the ��TV has convened a collaborative group of specialty association executives to tackle some of our profession’s biggest challenges. We are focusing now on the small animal specialty shortage, with future projects examining the unique challenges of large animal internists, the role of telemedicine in the profession, broadening our educational programs, and many other important issues impacting specialty medicine. I’m particularly proud of how the ��TV is leading these efforts and influencing change across veterinary medicine.

The work of our diversity, equity and inclusion consultant partner, The Equity Project, will help us tremendously as we progress toward becoming a more inclusive organization. While the path forward has been rocky at times, I feel confident that we are headed in the right direction. It is gratifying for me to see how we have already made some needed changes, including implementing processes to increase the diversity of our committees and Board in our volunteer selection and leadership opportunities.

Looking ahead, I am excited to hand the reins to Shannon Carter in 2023. Having collaborated with her as the ��TV’s Chief Strategy Officer over the last three years, I am confident that she understands our profession and the mission, vision and values of the ��TV. She brings a wealth of experience and skills into the CEO role and I don’t believe there is anyone better to lead the organization forward.

I have been truly honored to work alongside the Board of Regents as the ��TV’s CEO. I look forward to continuing to be involved through a consultative role next year and am excited to see how our organization continues to evolve in the future!

Sincerely,

Linda Fineman, DVM, D��TV (Oncology)

��TV CEO

January 2022 Message from the President

mjbarbick — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 18:56:02 +0000

January 2022 Message from the President mjbarbick Tue, 18 Jan 2022 - 11:56

While we are comprised of six specialties, we are connected by our singular mission, and it is that mission that the Board of Regents keeps top of mind as we consider the opportunities and challenges facing our community.
”

Dear ��TV Diplomates,

I hope this message finds you well and the new year off to a wonderful start! As the holidays season concludes, there is much to look forward at the ��TV. I’d like to begin by welcoming our new board members.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Dr. Harold McKenzie will now lead the ��TV Board of Regents as Chair. Dr. Laura Garrett will continue to serve as the Immediate Past Chair for an additional year. I am really excited to welcome Dr. Joerg Steiner as the incoming President Elect, as I have now stepped in as the ��TV President. Additionally, Dr. Roger Hostetler will now lead the SAIM specialty as their President. Please join me in welcoming them when you get the opportunity! I would also like you to join me in expressing gratitude to Dr. Jane Armstrong, whose Board term has now completed and whose contributions have been invaluable to the College.

BOARD MEMBER ROLES

You may be wondering about the difference in some of these officer positions, or even about the role of the Board of Regents in general. As Board Chair, Dr. McKenzie leads the work of the Board, which includes working with our CEO to define the Board agendas and ensure that the Board’s focus remains strategic and mission driven. As the ��TV President, my role is to be more forward facing, serving as a resource and voice to you, our members. I will work with Dr. Steiner as he spends the coming year observing and onboarding to his future role as President.

As Immediate Past Chair, Dr. Garrett plays an important advisory role that is commensurate with her length of service on the Board. Together with the specialty presidents, Members-At-Large, Treasurer, and Certification Liaison, we are accountable to you, our members, and the broader public through strategic planning, ongoing evaluation of programs and services, and wise utilization and expansion of organizational resources. (See the feature included in this edition of the newsletter for more information on the role of the Members-At-Large.)

Historically, the ��TV Board of Regents has balanced its governing obligations with performing much of the work of the organization. As our membership has grown, and we have built a staff who have expertise in association management, certification, education and finance, the Board has been able to direct its energy to the primary duty of a governing board, which is to guide the organization’s direction in alignment with our mission, vision, and values. It is a strategic role, that demands regular engagement with our members, and intentional awareness of the trends and influences in our profession in order to make decisions in the collective best interest of our college. While we are comprised of six specialties, we are connected by our singular mission, and it is that mission that the Board of Regents keeps top of mind as we consider the opportunities and challenges facing our community.

UPCOMING BYLAW CHANGES

Our shift to a more strategic board is typical and necessary for an organization who desires to sustain the growth and success the ��TV has enjoyed. To maintain this momentum, we are in the process of revising our bylaws so that we can be nimbler and more responsive to your needs and the pace of change in our environment, while still maintaining the rights and privileges that are the cornerstone of a membership organization like the ��TV. We acknowledge that bylaws changes don’t always stimulate an enthusiastic turnout, but we need a strong response for these changes to be enacted. You will hear more about this in the coming weeks, but I want to use this opportunity to issue a personal and direct appeal for your participation in this important vote.

Our college is growing in size, scope and influence. However, that is only sustainable if we have a meaningful and ongoing connection with each and every one of you. The Board is committed to leveraging the opportunities that come with growth, with the strong desire to maintain the connections that were developed when we were a community of a few hundred people building careers in emerging specialties. That group had a vision and a strength of community that continues to be the source of our success. I am eager to work with you in the coming year as we build on that legacy in service to our shared commitment to excellence in specialty veterinary medicine.

I look forward to engaging with all of you in the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Jane Sykes, BVSc (Hons), PhD, MBA, D��TV (SAIM)

��TV President

From ����TV Leadership

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