ACVS is pleased to share a comprehensive summary of the 56th ACVS Diplomates’ Business Meeting, held during the recent 2024 ACVS Surgery Summit in Phoenix, AZ. ACVS President, now chair of the Board of Regents, Jan F. Hawkins presided.
In addition to accepting each ACVS committee chairs’ and leaders’ reports, which are available for Diplomates only, meeting attendees learned some plans the College has—and some already underway—to meet the needs and expectations of Diplomates as indicated by the spring 2024 member needs assessment, which the board has discussed extensively.
Ron M. McLaughlin, chair of the 2023–2024 Board of Regents, highlighted some of the College’s recent accomplishments; CEO Ann T. Loew, looked ahead to the College’s 2025 strategic priorities; and ACVS Treasurer Julie D. Smith updated attendees on the financial health of the College.
No matter where you are
In his chair’s report, Dr. McLaughlin shared that through his term on the Executive Committee, he has seen firsthand how ACVS is evolving to meet Diplomates’ changing needs.
“You may be a recent Diplomate putting together the building blocks of your future. Or you’ve hit your stride in your career. Or you are looking to pay it forward by sharing the expertise you’ve developed along the way. No matter where you are on your career path, ACVS is working to deliver and enhance an experience that meets your needs,” he emphasized.
The College also works to support and recognize residents, including three firsts for the College in 2024. One, the first residents needs assessment, including well-being questions, was fielded to uncover ways ACVS can meaningfully support future Diplomates. Two, working with the Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition, ACVS provided resident education travel grants for three residents to attend the Summit. And, three, the ACVS certification team held an engaging community-building information session for new residents.
McLaughlin emphasized, “this is just the beginning of an evolution for ACVS,” as he invited ACVS CEO Ann T. Loew to present some of what is ahead.
ACVS’s primary priority: credentialling
Loew outlined ACVS’s coming transformation, which will build on the strong foundation that dedicated Diplomate volunteers and leaders have created over many years.
“Like the Board of Regents, the ACVS staff is diving into the results of the member needs assessment,” she said, encouraging Diplomates to review the full report. “They are fascinating. There are priorities you have been loud and clear about. But we are never going to forget that the priority of the organization is a robust credentialing process.” Loew also commented on how closely Diplomates’ expectations align with ACVS’s current five-year strategic plan.
She shared data on who makes up the College today and how the College will look in the future. While respondents to the member needs assessment were fairly evenly balanced, 58 percent men, 42 percent women, respondents to the recent residents needs assessment are less so, 68 percent are women, 32 percent are men. “We’re shifting,” Loew said, noting that some future focus areas revealed through the needs assessment are quite different between men and woman. “We need to pay attention to that to ensure we meet everyone’s expectations. We are rolling up our sleeves and looking at what new programs we can offer.”
Loew then highlighted ideas that ACVS is exploring.
What’s to come
“One of your priorities is connection and community. What could this look like? One idea is an online community where people can gather around special interests and demographics. Residents could benefit, also,” she said. ACVS is also pursuing a mentoring program.
Another priority is to enhance recognition of veterinary surgery and the Diplomate credential. “This has long been a challenge for ACVS and Diplomates,” noted Loew. “It’s a challenge for every specialty organization and their Diplomates. It’s just not feasible for ACVS to do a national advertising campaign. The staff, with external support, will build and launch a targeted and sustainable public relations and media campaign to elevate the presence of the College and Diplomates.”
To appeal to an increasingly diverse College and resonate with savvy animal-owning consumers who want to be associated with modern, relevant brands, ACVS will raise its presence,” Loew said, “with a rebrand that will start in 2025.” ACVS also plans to gather information from Diplomates to better understand how the College can support the whole Diplomate and the whole resident. Lastly, ACVS recently invested in software to support abstract submissions, the abstract review process, and seminar chairs’ development of the Summit program.
“That’s just a start,” said Loew. “It’s clear that ACVS needs to transform, and we’re going to work hard on it. But we need your help.”
“This is a journey, and we look forward to having you all come along.”
Ensuring the prestige of Diplomate status
ACVS Treasurer Julie Smith followed with a positive update on the financial position of the College (see Treasurer’s report). As ACVS executes its strategic plan, the College continues to manage and monitor budgetary implications. She explained that to develop, deliver, and support the benefits and services that Loew mentioned, ACVS will require continued investment in staff, technology, communication tools, subject matter experts, and other resources.
“The Board of Regents fully supports the work underway and the work to come to meet your expectations of the College,” she said, “and we are asking you to do the same,” sharing that the board approved a $19 dues increase.
Passing the gavel
The business meeting concluded with Dr. Hawkins recognizing outgoing board members for their contributions and welcoming incoming regents. Leaving the board are Ron M. McLaughlin, chair, Catriona “Cat” M. MacPhail, small animal regent, and Christopher R. Byron, large animal regent.
Incoming to the 2024–2025 Board of Regents are Kelly D. Farnsworth, president-elect, Jose M. Garcia-López, large animal regent, and Jason A. Syrcle, small animal regent.
In addition to the new president-elect and regents, Jan F. Hawkins, is now the chair of the ACVS Board of Regents, and Bryden J. Stanley is president.
Current board.
