Photos courtesy AVMA
Encouraging veterinarians to take steps to ensure the future success of colleagues and the profession overall is the top priority of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA’s) new leader.
Rena Carlson, DVM, of Idaho assumed presidency of the association on July 16 amidst the AVMA’s annual convention in Denver, succeeding Lori Teller, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline), CVJ.
An alumna of Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Carlson, who has served as the association’s president-elect for the past year, brings more than 30 years of veterinary experience to the role, including clinical work, practice ownership, service as a university attending veterinarian, and academic research.
In remarks to the AVMA House of Delegates (HOD), the new president encouraged veterinary leaders to take steps now to ensure the future success of veterinary colleagues and the profession overall, calling upon fellow veterinarians to create conditions that will continue to remove barriers to well-being and facilitate personal growth, professional development, and enhance financial success.
“Adopting a strengths-based approach in our stories and in our collective mindsets not only helps us achieve a higher level of well-being and better navigate the challenges we face as individuals; it also draws more respect, trust, and interest from those we have taken an oath to serve,” Carlson said. “That creates positive ripple effects for generations to come.”
Carlson also spoke of the ways AVMA continues to help its members and the veterinary profession recover from pandemic-related impacts, including compiling information to ensure the organization has accurate data to inform decisions that will affect generations of veterinarians, patients, and clients.
“As we work to solve these challenges, it’s important to do it the right way, through long-term planning, and with accurate data so the public and the profession continue to be very well-served,” she said. “Let’s work together to shape the future we want.”
Additionally, the AVMA HOD elected Sandra Faeh, DVM, chief veterinary officer for National Veterinary Associates (NVA), as its president-elect. A 1996 veterinary graduate of the University of Illinois, Dr. Faeh previously served as president of the Illinois State and Chicago Veterinary Medical Associations.
“I spent a year listening and learning from so many of you,” said Faeh, who announced her candidacy in 2022. “We have so many challenges, [which] means we have so many opportunities. I look forward to working with each and every one of you.”