Category: Careers

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. 

HVMA Mentorship Program

The HVMA Mentorship Program offers opportunities for recent graduate (c/o 2020-2024) veterinarians to connect with other veterinarians in the state, as well as resources and guidance to pursue career and professional development. To receive these opportunities, join HVMA and fill out this form here. HVMA offers FREE New Grad Membership to all 2024 graduates! We look forward to meeting and helping you in your veterinary career!

Hawaii State Board of Veterinary Medicine Updates

New temporary permits are now in effect!

The Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine has recently increased its bank of test questions, and has reduce the waiting period to retest following a failed attempt to pass the Hawaii state veterinary examination from 90 days to 60 days. While the HVMA had petitioned for a shorter (30 day) waiting period, we are grateful for this small improvement.

In upcoming legislative sessions, the HVMA will be looking into revising the veterinary practice law to allow temporary permittees to continue practicing veterinary medicine during this waiting period following a failed attempt to pass the State veterinary examination.

Currently, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”) section 471-8(c)(5), titled “Examinations; qualifications of applicants” states in relevant part:
“(c)(5) The temporary permit shall be valid until the results of the Hawaii state board examination taken by the permittee are known; provided, that failure of the Hawaii state board exam, the National Board Examination, or Clinical Competency Test shall immediately terminate the temporary permit;”

If you have suggestions or inquiries regarding licensure or regulation of veterinary medicine in Hawaii, please contact the Hawaii State Board of Veterinary Medicine at veterinary@dcca.hawaii.gov or (808) 586-2705.

HVMA Mentorship Program

Looking to connect with veterinarians in Hawaii from diverse backgrounds? Ready to build professional development and relationships amongst the community? The HVMA Mentorship program is looking for mentees and mentors to be a part of the program! Mentees are new and recent graduate veterinarians who are the part of class of 2018-2023 looking for mentorship and support from experienced veterinarians. Mentors are veterinarians who would like to educate and share their knowledge and experiences with mentees. If you’re interested in being a part of this program, please complete the Mentee application or Mentor application registration link. We look forward to having you be a part of the mentorship program!

One Health Collaboration

Michelle Barbieri, DVM, MS, speaks to first and second-year medical students at the John A. Burns School of Medicine One Health Symposium in September. Dr. Barbieri is a Veterinary Medical Officer with NOAA and currently leads the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program. She shared her passion for conservation medicine and ecosystem health through the lens of her work with the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, discussing her team’s approach to threats posed from toxoplasmosis, canine distemper (morbillivirus), stray fishing gear, and rising sea levels. Her engaging presentation helped demonstrate the One Health concept: the inextricable interconnection of human, animal, and environmental health.

HVMA Mentorship Program Update

The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association (HVMA) Mentorship program is a voluntary program that offers guidance and resources for new graduate veterinarians and mentoring opportunities for senior veterinarians in Hawaii. In addition, the program aims to foster mentee-mentor relationships among the veterinary community. 

The HVMA has recently partnered with MentorVet, which is a national organization that offers a structured platform for new graduate veterinarians and mentors in online modules, coaching, and resources. If you’re a new graduate veterinarian who has recently graduated within the past five years (class of 2017 to 2022) or you’re a veterinarian who has practiced for many years, please apply for the HVMA mentorship program below:

New Graduate Veterinarians/Mentee
Senior Veterinarians/Mentor

Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association Mentorship Program

The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association will be starting a mentorship pilot program. This program is for recent graduates who are interested in connecting with a HVMA veterinarian that has knowledge and experience to share, as well as guidance for your career.

Mentors and mentees shall both be HVMA members and commit to the program for 12 months. The process will begin with the interested mentee initiating contact through an introductory e-mail or letter. If accepted, a mentor will contact the mentee to set up a meeting to discuss the expectations, goals, frequency of meetings, and confidentiality of the program.

Why be a mentor?
Being a mentor can be a rewarding experience as you share the knowledge and expertise you have with fellow mentees to help them transition to veterinary professional life. You also gain opportunities to build upon your communication and leadership skills. Mentees can share with you the latest
techniques, and treatments in the veterinary field.

Why be a mentee?
Being a mentee is an amazing opportunity to discuss any challenges, concerns, and goals you have with another colleague who may have gone through similar experiences. Mentors can be a source of information, provide encouragement and support.

Read more and find the applications on our Mentorship Program page.

Pet Kokua Wellness Clinics

The Hawaiian Humane Society is seeking licensed veterinarians to assist with community outreach clinics in District 9 (Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Mililani).  Pet Kōkua Wellness Clinics are pop-up veterinary clinics that assist low-income and houseless pet owners with wellness checks, vaccinations, flea/tick preventatives, heartworm tests and preventatives, deworming, and treatments for minor illnesses and injury, at no cost to the owner.

Clinics are generally hosted one to two times a month, are 4 hours long and are generally appointment-based.  The Pet Kōkua Program is able to offer veterinarians a stipend of $250 per clinic due to a generous grant from the City & County of Honolulu.  If interested, please email outreach@hawaiianhumane.org with your general availability. You may also call Suzy Tam at 808-356-2225 with any questions.

HVMA Scholarship Announcement

Applications for the HVMA scholarship for current veterinary students from Hawaii are being accepted. Students must be enrolled full-time in an AVMA-accredited doctoral program of veterinary medicine and have graduated from a high school in Hawaii. Please share with any students you are mentoring!
All submissions due by 3/31/2022.
Application details here.

Veterinary Leadership Conference 2022

The AVMA’s Veterinary Leadership Conference is for veterinary professionals at every career stage who are interested in deepening their engagement with AVMA and other veterinary organizations. Leaders of all types are welcome to register:

Rising Leaders:
Attendees with a desire to get involved with veterinary organizations, and little or no prior leadership experience

Experienced Leaders:
Attendees with prior experience as volunteer leaders who want deeper engagement and opportunities to develop new skills

Presiding Leaders:
Attendees who have served as chair or president of a volunteer body, or as CEO or executive director, and want to perfect their leadership skills

The HVMA is willing to sponsor a member to attend the VLC. If you are interested, please contact us with your CV and personal statement by November 22, 2021.