Category: AVMA Updates

AVMA News – July 2025

This July, your Hawaii AVMA delegates traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent our state and participate in important AVMA business during the annual convention. It was a very productive and meaningful meeting.

We were joined by many dignitaries from veterinary medical associations around the world, who shared messages of hope, warmth, collaboration, and common challenges faced by our profession globally.

A highlight of the convention was the induction of Dr. Michael Bailey as the new AVMA President. Dr. Bailey is the first African-American to serve in this role, marking a historic moment for the organization. In his opening remarks, he emphasized the importance of professional advocacy, stating, “We must shape our own story instead of letting others shape our story for us.”

The AVMA continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as support for the federal veterinary workforce.

In addition to our House of Delegates work, we visited Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and advocate for issues important to veterinary medicine. We met with the offices of Representative Jill Tokuda, Senator Brian Schatz, and Senator Mazie Hirono to encourage their support of the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act and the Stopping Illicit Xylazine Act. We encourage all veterinary professionals to contact their representatives and ask them to support these important initiatives. These “Hill Visits” are made possible through the non-partisan AVMA PAC, and we encourage you to consider contributing so we can continue to extend our reach and represent veterinary interests on the national stage.

Additionally, several policy updates and resolutions were passed, including:

  • Pediatric sterilization
  • Therapeutic pet food claims
  • Sow housing
  • Declawing
  • Recognition of pain in animals
  • The Model Veterinary Practice Act
  • A new policy on workplace hazards in veterinary settings

Read more about the resolutions that were passed here.

If you have any questions about these topics or the work of the AVMA House of Delegates, please feel free to reach out to your Hawaii AVMA Representatives. We are always here to represent you and keep you informed!

Aloha,
Carolyn Naun, Hawaii Delegate
Jenee Odani, Hawaii Alternate Delegate

AVMA July 2025 Resolutions

These resolutions will be voted on at the AVMA House of Delegates meeting July 18-22, 2025. Please send comments/opinions to our HVMA House of Delegate Reps: Carolyn Naun and Jenee Odani

Resolution 9: Pediatric Sterilization of Dogs, Cats and Rabbits

Resolution 10: Therapeutic Pet Food Health Claims

Resolution 11: Sow Housing

Resolution 12: Declawing of Domestic Cats

Resolution 13: Pain in Animals

Resolution 14: Model Veterinary Practice Act

Resolution 15: Mitigating Hazards in the Veterinary Workplace

AVMA Updates – Winter 2025

AVMA Winter Session

AVMA convened on January 10th-11th for our annual winter session. We discussed two topics in the Veterinary Information Forum: supporting rural veterinarians and the current status of accreditation in veterinary education. We also voted on several new and revised policies ranging from biosecurity and cellular agriculture to veterinary license portability and guidelines on pet ownership. We always welcome your input! Please see here for the full details. 

AVMA Mentorship

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.

2024 Veterinary Leadership Conference

AVMA is hosting their annual Veterinary Leadership Conference (VLC) January 9-11, 2025. HVMA delegates Carolyn Naun and Jenee Odani will attend the conference and House of Delegates sessions. Through a unique mix of CE sessions, AVMA governance meetings, and networking events, attendees will expand and hone leadership skills and learn to better advocate and make key decisions for the good of the veterinary profession.

AVMA offers $1000 scholarships to recent graduates (within past 5 years) to attend the conference. Applications for this scholarship are due October 15, 2024.

HVMA also provides sponsorship to an HVMA member interested in developing their leadership skills. Interested applicants must be an AVMA member to also receive airfare and lodging covered by the AVMA. Please contact us if you are interested in this opportunity and getting more involved in leadership within the veterinary community.

More information available here. 

AVMA Updates – Summer 2024

The AVMA House of Delegates approved revisions to the policy that provides ethical guidance for all veterinarians, restructuring it to improve clarity and usability. Among the changes, the policy now features a Code of Conduct with three sections: provide competent medical care, prioritize patient welfare in balance with client needs and public safety, and uphold standards of professionalism.
Read more

Two new surveys find lack of support for midlevel practitioner. Both the American Association of Veterinary State Boards and the Veterinary Management Groups said they support better utilization of credentialed veterinary technicians as part of the answer to workforce issues.
Read more

Revised CPR standards issued for dogs and cats. The first update to the life-saving RECOVER guidelines since 2012 emphasizes speed and standard techniques. Changes include a streamlined CPR algorithm and new drug dosing charts. 
Read more

AVMA MENTORSHIP

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.

CDC Importation Rabies Rule Update

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued its final rule that it hopes will reduce public health risks of the dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV) associated with the importation of dogs into the United States. The final rule addresses the importation of cats as part of overall changes to the regulations affecting both dogs and cats, but the final rule does not require that imported cats be accompanied by proof of rabies vaccination and does not substantively change how cats are imported into the United States.

In this final rule, CDC aligns U.S. import requirements for dogs with the importation requirements of other DMRVV-free countries by requiring proof of rabies vaccination and adequate serologic test results from a CDC-approved laboratory. Requirements that need to be met for dogs to be imported include: a microchip, six-month minimum age requirement for admission, and importer submission of a CDC import form. The rule also requires airlines to confirm documentation, provide safe housing for animals, and assist public health officials in determining the cause of an animal’s illness or death.

The final rule was published in the Federal Register on May 13 and is effective August 1, 2024.

AVMA article: https://www.avma.org/news/dog-import-requirements-strengthened-prevent-canine-rabies-return

Here are some resources released by the CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html

https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs-entering-us-after-august-1.html

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.

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:

2024 VLC AABP
2024 VLC AAEP
2024 VLC Midlevel Position
2024 VLC Telehealth
2024 VLC FDA Innovation Agenda
2024 VLC FSIS Updates Position
2024 VLC Veterinary Information Forum Workforce
Veterinary Midlevel Position Background
Telemedicine and the VCPR Background
Workforce Data Background

AVMA Update – January 2024

AVMA is seeking member feedback on proposed updates to the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (PVME). Your voice matters! Submit your comments by March 4th, 2024 (you must be an AVMA member to access). 

We encourage you to pay particular attention to Section A, Part 4, Emergency Care, starting on line 151. The final wording may impact your own work life because in Hawaii, a veterinarian’s license can be revoked for failing to uphold the recognized principles of veterinary medical ethics adopted by both the HVMA and AVMA (HRS 471-10 (12)). Staying informed and engaged in shaping these guiding principles is crucial for protecting your practice while ensuring the highest ethical standards for animal care in our unique island community. Take action today by reviewing the draft PVME and sharing your feedback.

The House of Delegates met on January 4-6, 2024. Several resolutions were passed, updating and revising current policies ranging from pet loss support to animal safety. You can find the details here. 

AVMA has also published informative backgrounders on three hot topics in vet med: telemedicine and the VCPR, the veterinary workforce shortage, and the organization’s position on creating a mid-level practitioner position that would overlap duties of veterinarians and technicians. You can learn more on the AVMA blog. 

If you would like more information or have feedback for AVMA, feel free to reach out to one of us directly. 

Carolyn Naun (Hawaii Delegate) 
Jenee Odani (Hawaii Alternate Delegate) 

AVMA Update – Oct 2023

Are you looking to get more involved in influencing the future of the veterinary profession? AVMA has opportunities for you! Here are some action steps you can take right now:

  • A wide range of leadership positions are currently available. If you’re interested in volunteering some of your time, visit https://avma.org/volunteer for details.
  • Registration for the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference (VLC) 2024 is now open! Join us January 4-6 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk. Whether you are just beginning to explore the possibilities, are already an experienced leader, or anywhere in between, workshops are available to hone your skills and strategies, and you’ll have the chance to connect with like-minded people throughout our amazing profession. 

As the charitable arm of the AVMA, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) provides veterinarians and veterinary students with charitable resources and programs that advance the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal and human health. AVMF gave an initial $20,000 to Maui Humane Society and $10,000 to Greater Good to help with wildfire rescue and recovery efforts, and has raised an additional $25,000 which can be allocated as needed. If you were impacted or have incurred out-of-pocket expenses to help on Maui, it’s not too late to apply for support!

  • Disaster Emergency Veterinary Medical Care Reimbursements are available for veterinarians providing care to animal victims of a disaster. Covered expenses may include medical supplies, medications, diagnostics, and housing for patients. Up to $5000 is available per clinic/AVMA member. You have up to nine months after the disaster to apply. 
  • Individual Disaster Reimbursement Grants for Veterinarians and Veterinary Students can provide up to $2000 for those who were personally impacted, for the purpose of providing for emergency needs, such as food, water, clothing, temporary housing, transportation and other basic necessities. 

If you would like to apply for funds, please visit https://avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/disaster-relief

If you would like to contribute to this or other AVMF programs, you can make a tax deductible donation at avmf.org.

With aloha,
Carolyn Naun (she/her)
AVMA HOD Hawaii Delegate