AVMA Updates

AVMA Vitals

The AVMA has made monthly need-to-know updates available on the following topics:

  • Better integrating veterinary technicians’ robust skill set into practice
  • Highly pathogenic avian influenza found in Texas, Kansas dairy cattle
  • HHS, senators ask DEA to use marijuana restrictions
  • ACVIM issues updated guidance on canine leptospirosis
  • Number of NAVLE test takers increases; Overall scores drop
  • More veterinary colleges in line for accreditation evaluations
  • Education Department to forgive loans for some borrowers; recertification deadline extended
  • Find veterinary clinic trials
  • Two new resources support equine practitioners
  • Pet food safety resources protect patients and clients
  • Managing toxicosis cases: Tips from the experts
  • Curiosity can lead to discovery: Embracing neurodiversity
  • Discover your advocacy path
  • Stay in the know–and qualify to earn rewards
  • Help for veterinarians and animals affected by wildfires
  • AVMA Convention 2024
  • Test yourself: Animal Welfare Assessment Contest

View the full AVMA Vitals update here.

AVMA Expands Mentorship Program

Any AVMA member with less than 10 years of professional experience can now get free professional mentoring through MentorVet Connect, brought to you by the AVMA. Learn more.

Hawaii Pet Expo 2024

It’s that time of year again; the Hawaii Pet Expo is coming up on May 4-5, 2024! We’re looking for volunteers to help make this event spectacular for the community!!! All volunteers get FREE t-shirts and a FREE lunch (if they volunteer in the morning of Saturday, May 4 or Sunday, May 5) for helping out! Check out all the volunteer descriptions and slot availability with the email attachment. If you’re interested in volunteering, please complete the volunteer sign-up link HERE no later than April 20, 2024 before 6:00 PM HST. If you have any questions, please email Jerrisa Ching.

Pet Expo 2024

HVMA’s Pet Expo 2024 will be held on May 4-5, 2024 from 10am-4pm each day at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Join us for a wide range of informative booths and pet merchandise, keiki crafts, contests, and more! Please bring a few canned goods for donation to the Hawaii Food Bank in lieu of an admission fee.

To register as a vendor for the event, please call 808-845-1762 or send an email.

In Remembrance – Cordell Chang

Cordell W. J. Chang, 78, of Mililani, passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii on Friday, January 19, 2024. Celebration of Life Service will be held on Feb 28, 2024 at 9 am at the Diamond Head Memorial Park.

Dr. Chang served as the HVMA’s AVMA Delegate for many years after Allen Miyahara retired. He worked as a small animal practitioner with the Naito Animal Clinic group before and after its sale to VCA. He was also known for raising high quality canaries. 

Dr. Chang was also instrumental alongside Allen Miyahara in relighting the fire for the Honolulu Veterinary Society, which at that time had fallen into inactivity after Darryl Allison passed. They recreated a vibrant active group led by their younger colleagues.

We remember Cordell as always having a smile on his face and time for friends. He kept in touch with many friends and family of veterinarians, including Sue Miyahara and Bob Young.

In Remembrance – Michael Woltmon

Michael Woltmon, DVM
1952-2023

Michael Orean Woltmon was born on May 6, 1952 in Virginia to Jack and LaCona Gene Woltmon. He graduated from Leilehua High School in 1970. In 1974, he graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a with a B.S. in Tropical Agriculture. In 1978, he obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Washington State University – College of Veterinary Medicine.

In 1979 Dr. Woltmon opened Kauai Veterinary Clinic, Inc. in Puhi, Kauai, doing primarily large animal medicine out of a mobile unit, while his partner managed the small animal end of the practice. In 1984 he built, managed, and did husbandry for Production Improved Genetics, Inc (PIG, Inc) with a hui of investors. However, Hurricane Iniki totally damaged it in September 1992, but Dr. Woltmon managed to clean up and rebuild PIG, Inc. without the aid of their bankrupt insurance company. The swine production farm survived over 20+ years. Though, with encroachment of residential properties in the area, the farm was depopulated and became a commercial orchid farm. Dr. Woltmon bought out his business partner and managed KVC, Inc. until it was sold in 2021.

He passed away at home with his family present on October 9, 2023, he was 71 years old. Dr. Woltmon is survived by two daughters: LaCona Woltmon, married to Francisco Barron, with son, Francisco III; and Michelle Perry, married to Jarred Perry, with daughter, Ryenne Perry.

Season’s Greetings from Gen Kato, DVM

From our veterinary colleague in Japan:

Dear All,

I trust this message finds you well and enjoying the festive season. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! I wanted to drop you a quick note and share some exciting updates from my recent trip to Colorado.

Covid-19 conditions have eased up, allowing me to revisit Colorado State University for the first time in five years. Despite the torturous long flight, the joy of reconnecting with old friends and professors was truly heartwarming. During my visit, I had the pleasure of witnessing the impressive new facilities at CSU, including TMI, a state-of-the-art center for continuing education, SPUR, a place dedicated to citizen learning about animals, soil, and water, and the recently established Dam Friends League, an animal shelter that was the highlight of my trip.

It was incredibly fulfilling to see firsthand the construction and operation of these facilities, especially learning that their existence relies heavily on generous donations. This experience made me realize the importance of fostering a donation culture in Japan and aspiring to build facilities comparable to those at TMI.

In November, we had the honor of inviting President VandeWoude of CSU to Japan. Our courtesy visit to Hokkaido University provided an excellent opportunity for engaging discussions with various professors, fostering valuable exchanges that will contribute to the development of veterinary medicine and science in Japan. Our goal is to establish a Japanese version of TMI and continue our efforts for the betterment of our field.

On a personal note, I turned 91 years old just last year.

Despite the ongoing challenges of Covid-19, I hosted another grand birthday party, and I am sincerely grateful to the many people who attended.

As the year comes to a close, I am eagerly looking forward to the prospect of seeing you again.

Wishing you a bright and joyous New Year filled with prosperity and happiness!

Warm regards,

Gen Kato, DVM

FaceBook:www.facebook.com/gen.kato.566

Daktari Animal Hospital Tokyo Medical Center

Shirokanedai Apt 2F, 5-14-1 Shirokanedai, Minato, Tokyo 108-0071 JAPAN

Pono Pet Parents

Submitted by Michelle Barbieri, DVM

The HVMA is providing a landing page for resources for veterinarians, technicians, and pet owners called Pono Pet Parents. This information campaign currently focuses on cats, but the hope is that in the future, it can be expanded to dogs and more. Cat owners can learn about how to raise their beloved pets in a thoughtful way that strengthens their bond with their cats, keeps them happy and healthy, and benefits wild animals and our island home.

Resources are grouped by the following sections:

  • Ensure my cat has a happy home for life
  • Keep my cat safe indoors
  • Create an enriching home environment
  • Spay/neuter and microchip
  • Dispose of litter in the garbage
  • Learn about the unique Hawai’i environment I’m protecting

Pet owners can then take the Pono Cat Pledge, which includes a commitment to these activities. These pages are the result of a combined effort of humane society representatives on Oahu and Kauai, and local, state and federal conservation groups hoping to realize the shared goals of responsible pet ownership and wildlife and ecosystem health.

Please share this resource with your clients and colleagues. And if you have any feedback or want to help get involved with future steps in this information campaign, contact Michelle Barbieri.

2024 Veterinary Leadership Conference Materials

The following resources have been made available by the AVMA in light of several critical issues that have the potential to make a significant impact on the delivery of care to patients, the structure of the veterinary profession, and veterinary medicine as a whole. These resources include:

  • Veterinary Information Forum (VIF) presentations
  •  House Advisory Panel presentations
  • Workforce, Mid-Level Position & Telemedicine and VCPR backgrounders

Links: