Message from President Newman

Dear Fellow Veterinarians:   To promote and support sound legislation is a constant.  There has been a problem with the lack of efforts in the past but we are catching up.  Paying attention to the legislature is well in hand but so is developing collaborations with associated groups and developing a legislative day tentatively to be held in the spring.  Selling the spay/neuter tag is a legislative issue because the legislature has to approve such a sale.

What you should know is that the legislature pays attention to such efforts.   If we are unable to sell one thousand tags, the legislature will realize we are without political pull thus relegating our political opinions to the proverbial trash heap.  Without being too dramatic, our lack of pull will also adversely affect our sister groups and veterinary academia.  If you really want to help, PLEASE, purchase a spay/neuter tag before October 31st so we do not damage what could be an enhanced relationship with our state legislature, not to mention how the public will perceive our efforts as well.  Tag 88 is what you need to know.  Look for details at ALVMA.com.

We are continuing to work on improving continuing education statewide.  That includes both oncology and orthopedic short courses and an all day dental lab in Birmingham in February.  Watch for coming details in the weeks ahead. Dr. Annette Smith from Auburn is coordinating the oncology course and Drs. Milton, Ballagas, and Montgomery are coordinating the orthopedic course.  This is an effort to alter the usual CE by emphasizing fewer topics and allowing more in depth learning.  The same idea is being used in other areas of the country with great success.

To increase awareness of the importance of veterinarians in animal health and disease control a task force is working on evaluating property in Montgomery for the specific use of ALVMA and ALVMF offices, a museum and birthing center for public education, and a place for the Alabama Animal Hall of Fame.  Financing such an endeavor is clearly an issue.  Unless one of you wants to fund the project, efforts are under way to determine a reasonable financial course which could include both academic and industry partners.

The next executive board meeting is October, 19 in Montgomery at Bass Pro Shops.  Let your representative or one of the executive board members know of any concerns you have.  All of us look forward to hearing from you.

With good thoughts for everyone,   Mike   Michael Newman DVM avs@bellsouth.net 256-350-7001 256-350-7079 fax