Legislative Update 2022

The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association (HVMA) seeks to amend Chapter 471, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to better define the practice and parameters of veterinary medicine and veterinary telemedicine to protect consumers and their pets from inadequate, improper, or unlicensed veterinary care.  Further, because there is a shortage of licensed veterinarians in Hawaii, HVMA is proposing to provide for the temporary permitting of out-of-state veterinarians and providing for international veterinary school graduates to qualify for licensure examination in Hawaii.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions brought about consumer demand for telehealth in the field of veterinary medicine. Telemedicine has allowed consumers more access to veterinary services for their pets, particularly in areas where access to veterinary care is limited.  However, HVMA is aware that the use of telemedicine may also be abused without an established veterinary-client-patient relationship.  Without actual physical examination of a pet, veterinary services rendered through telemedicine alone can be inadequate and below the standard of veterinary care. The addition of telehealth definitions and the telemedicine section will help to clarify the practice of veterinary telemedicine and assist the Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine in ensuring consumers in Hawaii receive proper and licensed veterinary telemedicine services.

Additionally, the pandemic highlighted the shortage of veterinarians available to provide specialty and routine veterinary care for Hawaii’s people and their pets. At times, veterinary emergency hospitals were unable to operate 24/7 and surgeon schedules were completely booked for months due to the inability to fill these staffing shortages by temporary permit. In one specific case, there was a veterinary surgeon within the state that could have assisted during this period, but due to her international veterinary school degree, was unable to sit for Hawaii’s state licensing exam due to a technicality in the administrative rules. These amendments are critically important to prevent such veterinary care shortages in the future, and ensure that all qualified veterinarians are allowed to sit for the Hawaii state licensing exam.

This bill has currently been introduced to the House (HB 1598) by Representatives Johanson, Hashem, and Nishimoto; and into the Senate (SB 2798) by Senators Lee, Gabbard, Keith-Agaran, Misalucha, Acasio, Ihara, and San Buenaventura . Please take the time to thank them for their support, and write your local representative to ask for theirs!

African Swine Fever

African Swine Fever (ASF) virus is a highly contagious Asfivirus that can cause serious disease and death in domestic and feral swine. The disease originated in Africa, then spread to Europe (2007) and Asia (2018). In 2021, the disease was detected in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, marking the first time the disease was diagnosed in the western hemisphere in 40 years.

ASFV is transmitted directly between pigs or indirectly via Ornithodoros ticks, ingestion of infected meat, or fomites. Meat from infected animals can remain infectious for up to 5 months.

After exposure, the incubation period is between 3-19 days. In the peracute form, sudden death may be observed. In the acute form, pigs demonstrate high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, abortion, and mortality (up to 100%). Less virulent subacute or chronic forms are often seen with less intense symptoms and lower mortality. A small number of animals can become lifelong carriers. No vaccine or treatment for this disease exists. The disease does not infect humans and poses no food safety threat.

International travelers should understand the risk of bringing ASF into the US, declare items and farm visits to US Customs, and avoid farms or locations with pigs for at least 5 days upon return.

Meet a Local Vet – Anya Cotliarenko

Dr. Anya Cotliarenko

Anya Cotliarenko, BVetMed, MPVM, has been the Hawaii Liaison Veterinary Medical Officer for the USDA APHIS Vet Services since July 2021, filling the position vacated by Dr. Tim Falls when he retired at the end of 2020. She is originally from the Pacific Northwest and is a graduate of Royal Veterinary College/University of London. 

Following graduation, she completed an internship at the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, an exclusive equine veterinary practice in central California. She then decided to pursue veterinary public health and completed a Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine degree at UC Davis before joining USDA/FSIS. 

She served in several roles during her seven years of service with FSIS: Enforcement Investigations and Analysis Officer; Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian (SPHV), and Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer/Frontline Supervisor. She started as a VS field veterinarian in the Ontario District of California from September 2019. While there, she helped close out the 2018 vND outbreak and assisted in the development of CAHEN (California Avian Health Education Network) program: an education/outreach program for backyard poultry producers geared toward decreasing the risks associated with introducing Newcastle disease into the US.

She and her husband Guilherme have two children, Enzo (5) and Anita (2), one dog and two cats. Her other interests include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, running (has completed 3 marathons!), water sports, photography, painting, piano, and equestrian activities.

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.

AVMA Winter House of Delegates

AVMA House of Delegates Report Jan 2022

Over the last year and a half, the Veterinary Profession has been faced with many new struggles and challenges. The Veterinary profession has had to adapt to a changing professional environment and increase in our  workload. We have had to be innovative, resilient and creative to not only  survive – but to thrive.  

The American Veterinary Medical Association wanted to share this blog:  Start 2022 with a commitment to wellbeing to help you lead a positive and  bright 2022.  

AVMA HOUSE OF DELEGATES WINTER SESSION: 

The 2022 AVMA House of Delegates winter meeting was held in Chicago, Illinois from January 7-8. This meeting was held in conjunction with the AVMA Veterinary  Leadership Conference “Leadership in a new era”. The meeting included reports from the treasurer, AVMA staff, a message from the president, speeches by candidates for president-elect and vice president, and action items for Resolutions and the Veterinary Information Forum. 

The HOD meeting resulted in the following action items: 

Resolution 1 – Revised Policy on Rabies 
House of Delegates (HOD) voted for the resolution 

Resolution 2 – Revised Policy on Annual Rabies Vaccination Waiver
Your Reference Committee  HOD voted for the resolution

Resolution 3 – New Policy on Food Safety 
HOD voted for the resolution. 

Resolution 4 – New Policy on Supporting the Collection of Antimicrobial Use Data for  Antimicrobial Stewardship 
HOD voted for the resolution 

Resolution 5 – Revised Policy on Guidelines for Classifying Veterinary Facilities HOD refer the resolution to the Board of Directors for additional consideration

Mahalo to those of you who shared your story to the Veterinary Information  Forum topics. Here are the results to the House of Delegates Discussion:

VIF – License Portability 

Your Reference Committee recommends that the House request the Board of Directors  to further explore the issue of license portability, with consideration given to existing  policies and the possible need for additional policies, in collaboration with the state and  allied associations to further understand what issues need to be resolved and how to  best address them. 

VIF – Expanding AVMA Membership 

Your Reference Committee recommends that the House request the Board of Directors  to consider creating a pathway of communication with other veterinary healthcare team  organizations, starting with the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in  America, and the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association, to investigate how best to  work collaboratively to strengthen their organizations and professions as well as the  AVMA. 

AVMA CONVENTION 

JULY 29 – AUGUST 2, 2022
Philadelphia 

Registration opens spring 2022. 

Aloha and Mahalo!! 

Leianne K. Lee Loy – Hawaii Delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates
Carolyn Naun – Hawaii Alternate Delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates

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.

Suicide Prevention Training

Veterinary medicine is a community, and a community supports its members. For that reason, the AVMA is offering free training in suicide prevention to all veterinary professionals. QPR gatekeeper training — short for “question, persuade, refer” — teaches people without professional mental health backgrounds to recognize the signs that someone may be considering suicide, establish a dialogue and guide the person to seek professional help.

Veterinarians, veterinary students, technicians, assistants, practice managers and all other veterinary professionals are now eligible to take this free online training.

Access training resources here

News from the AVMA

Article of Interest in JAVMA Sept. 15th:

“Are we in a veterinary workforce crisis?” Understanding our reality can guide us to a solution. This commentary written by AVMA Chief Economist, Matthew Salois and AVMA Chief Veterinary Officer, Gail Golab addresses the Veterinary practitioners feeling like there are not enough hours in the day – a consequence of “pandemic pets” and shortage of veterinarians. The article highlights the data and the steps that can help navigate the challenges affecting our profession.

Volunteer Opportunities at the AVMA

The American Veterinary Medical Association invites you to explore the Committee and Council positions available this year and in 2022. Please visit the Volunteer Opportunities section of the AVMA website to learn more. Nominations for currently vacant positions are being accepted on an ongoing basis until those positions are filled. For positions expiring in August 2022, the deadline to submit nominations for Committee positions is March 31, 2022, and the deadline to submit nominations for Council positions is May 1, 2022.
Requirements:
· All Committee nominations must include the Nomination Form and a 1-2 page resume.
· For Councils, a nomination is considered complete when each of the following has been received: Nomination Form, Campaign Guide document, photo and 2-minute video.
Please submit all nominations via email to OfficeEVP@avma.org. If you have a question or would like to learn more about a specific entity, please contact OfficeEVP@avma.org or 847-285-6605. I hope you will consider applying for these volunteer positions! https://www.avma.org/membership/volunteering-avma

Calling all leaders – Rising leaders, Experienced leaders and Presiding Leaders

The Veterinary Leadership Conference (VLC) is the veterinary profession’s premier conference for leadership development. You will have the opportunity to attend CE sessions, AVMA governance meetings, and networking with colleagues to expand and develop your leadership skills. Join us, for VLC January 6-9, 2022, at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. A select amount of education sessions will also be available virtually.
https://www.avma.org/events/veterinary-leadership-conference

State Advocacy Committee (SAC)

As a member of this Committee, I can tell you that the AVMA is working hard on many topics essential to Veterinary Medicine. I have included a summary provided by the Government Relations Division here, to keep you updated on Congressional Bills. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you would like to discuss.

Leianne K. Lee Loy
ikaikavet@gmail.com
House of Delegate Representative from Hawaii and Member of SAC

Planning for 2022 – The AVMA Conference

July 29, 2022 – August 2, 2022
https://www.avma.org/events/avma-convention

AVMA Summer House of Delegates

The AVMA House of Delegates Meeting was held the last week of July. This meeting was in a hybrid format – attending live in Chicago or virtually. The agenda items included Resolutions, AVMA officer elections and House of Delegates Elections.

Highlights of elections:
Dr. Lori Teller from Texas, AVMA President-Elect
The AVMA Officers are now:
Dr. Jose Arce from Puerto Rico, President
Dr. Karen Bradley of Vermont, Board of Directors Chair
House Advisory Elections:
Dr. Rex Anderson of Montana, re-elected to the House Advisory
Committee (HAC), and then elected HAC Chair.
Future Elections:
Dr. Rena Carlson from Idaho and Dr. Grace Bransford from California
announced candidacies for the 2022-2023 President-Elect position
Dr. Jennifer Quammen of Kentucky announced her candidacy for the
position of 2022-2024 Vice President.

AVMA’s Veterinary Information Forum (VIF)
Topics presented by delegates/alternate delegates to address topics of concern in the profession, feedback and action items. This years topics were: “HOD Delegates as AVMA Brand Advocates: How to Best Communicate AVMA Member Value to our Constituents” and “Economic Dynamics in the U.S. Veterinary Workforce.”
Here is a summary of the VIF topics:
• How delegates can best communicate with their constituents – the HOD approved a resolution calling for the HOD’s House Advisory Committee to form a working group to explore and define delegates’ role as AVMA ambassadors in promoting AVMA member value, reporting back to the HOD at the next meeting (Resolution 15).
• Economic dynamics in the U.S. veterinary workforce – Your AVMA recognizes the economic, staffing, and morale challenges that currently exist in the U.S. veterinary workforce. Your AVMA is working on these problems and information will be available in JAVMA and the AVMA Veterinary Business and Economic Forum in October (Resolution 16)

The HOD also addressed the following Resolutions on the agenda for this meeting:
• Resolution 8 – Reclassifying Ventilation Shutdown Methods as Not Recommended: The HOD voted to refer the resolution to the AVMA Board of Directors for consideration by the AVMA Panel on Depopulation.
• Resolution 9 – Rules for Officer Election Campaigns: The HOD voted to adopt the resolution.
• Resolution 10 – Policy on Veterinary Compounding: The HOD voted to refer the resolution to the AVMA Board of Directors for further clarification by the AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents.
• Resolution 11 – Revised Policy on Use of Random-Source Dogs and Cats for Research, Testing, and Education: The HOD voted to adopt the resolution.
• Resolution 12 – Revised Policy on Veterinary Foresight and Expertise in Antimicrobial Discussions: The HOD voted to adopt the resolution.
• Resolution 13 – Revised Policy on Notification to the Veterinarian of Violative Residues in Foods of Animal Origin: The HOD voted to adopt the resolution.
• Resolution 14 – Policy on Use of Prescription Drugs in Veterinary Medicine: The HOD voted to refer the resolution to the AVMA Board of Directors for referral to the AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents for further clarification.