Panel Discusses Standard of Care at
MVMA Fall Conference

The MVMA addressed the standard of care in veterinary medicine with a day-long CE track at its 2012 Fall Conference November 8, 2012. The track concluded with an interactive discussion between conference attendees and a panel of six leaders in Maryland's veterinary community. Panelists included Chris Runde, DVM; Krista Evans, DVM, DACVS, CCRT; David Handel, DVM; Sarah Babcock, DVM, JD; Tanya Lynn Tag, DVM, DACVECC and Thomas Bauk, DVM.

Click here for excerpts from the conversations.

The FTC Workshop on Pet Medications; One Vet's Perspective

The proposed federal legislation HR 1406, the Fairness to Pet Owners Act, would require veterinarians to provide a written prescription for all medications prescribed. It was not passed by Congress this year, but that’s not the end of the story. On October 2, 2012 the FTC held a workshop to examine the issue of “Competition & Consumer Protection Issues in the Pet Medications Industry.”  DETAILS

Debate Over Breed Specific Legislation Continues in Maryland

In January Maryland legislators will deliberate the appellate court decision that applied strict liability against an owner who owns a pit bull or a pit bull cross who attacks a human. Tracey v. Solesky ruled that when an attack involves pit bulls it is no longer necessary to prove that the particular pit bull or pit bulls are dangerous. The issue has been vigorously debated: victims of dog bites make a compelling case for the need for better public protection while veterinarians and animal advocates are equally passionate about the need to avoid breed-specific legislation. “Punish the deed, NOT the breed” is one popular slogan that acknowledges that any dog may bite, and that all pet owners must manage their pets responsibly.

The MVMA and AVMA stand united against the enactment of breed specific legislation and reject the finding of the court in Tracey vs Solesky. Maryland veterinarians and staff or other interested parties are encouraged to contact their delegates . Click here to locate a delegate.

Sample letters are provided on the AVMA’s website.

Lewis Honored for Efforts During Hurricane

The MVMA recognized Rick Lewis, DVM, MS, BS of Academy Animal Hospital in Baltimore for his efforts working with quarantined animals from the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care shelter during Hurricane Sandy.

"On behalf of the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association, I would like to commend you for your outstanding service and compassion for the quarantined animals during Hurricane Sandy," said MVMA President Kris Evans, DVM, DACVS, CCRT. "Thank you for honoring our profession during this emergency."

For details on Dr. Lewis' activities, see the next article in this newsletter.

Hurricane Sandy and BARCS Evacuation

Hurricane Sandy slammed the Northeastern United States October 29, 2012 and continued its slow moving broad destructive path through the first week of November. The devastating effects of this wide slow moving superstorm are still being felt across the Northeast, the Central Appalachians and well into New England. Initial estimates (the Washington Post 10/31/2012) suggest that the powerful storm has claimed at least 51 lives and caused up to $20 billion in damage.  DETAILS

Become Active in the MVMA and Help Yourself

With over 2,500 licensed veterinarians in the state of Maryland, the knowledge that we are relying on so few to accurately represent our interests, educate the public, warn us of developing legal and medical issues and set up programs for continuing education was concerning to me. In such an altruistic profession, I suspect the shortage of volunteers to be due to a lack of awareness about how to get involved. DETAILS

Dr.Tracy McCracken Joins CPCVM

Dr. Tracy McCracken has joined the faculty of Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) as the Assistant Director of Education and Training for the Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine (CPCVM) in College Park, MD. DETAILS Grand Opening Celebrates New Facilities Students at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) are learning the fundamentals of veterinary

MVMA Members Participate in VMRCVM Mentorship Program

The Maryland Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) has announced the start of the 2012 mentorship program with the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA). Since 2004, members of the MVMA and the VVMA volunteer to serve as mentors to students at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM).  DETAILS

MVMA Student Chapter Completes First Semester

The MVMA Student Chapter at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine has been busy during their first fall semester. The new-formed club has 43 members, including students from every class at VMRCVM. DETAILS

New Tax on Medical Devices

Beginning January 1, 2013 the sale of many medical devices that are FDA-approved for use in humans will be taxed with a 2.3% excise tax. These new fees will not be applied to veterinary-only devices, but veterinary practitioners are encouraged to think before they purchase! The AVMA offers some FAQs for guidance, with links to the IRS tax codes. 

Click here to review the FAQs.

BARCS in Brief, 2005-2012

Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) accepts and cares for all animals in need and promotes responsible pet ownership for a more humane community in Baltimore City. BARCS oversees shelter operations and programs including: housing and care for shelter animals; lost and found; pet licenses; adoptions; volunteer; foster; rescue; and low-cost vaccination and microchip clinics.  DETAILS

Shelter Data that all Veterinarians Need to Know

The shelters are trying to make a difference, but they can’t do it alone. With their limited space and finite resources, they cannot achieve their goals without high levels of community support, including veterinary support. Veterinarians have the ability to make a world of difference for homeless, abandoned animals. DETAILS

MVMA NEWS

William Rosenberger, DVM Made Life Member of MVMA

The MVMA board of directors conferred life membership on William Rosenberger, DVM. Dr. Rosenberger own Reisterstown Veterinary Center until retiring in October. He has been an MVMA member for more than 50 years.

Dr. John D. Hall Passes Away

Dr. John Deale Hall Jr. died Nov. 30, 2012. He was born June 2, 1947 to Mr. and Mrs. John Hall Sr. in Annapolis. A life-long Annapolitan, he graduated from Annapolis High School in 1965, where he was captain of the varsity basketball team. Dr. Hall attended the University of Maryland and the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.

A beloved veterinarian for 40 years, Dr. Hall spent his life taking care of both the animals and the people of Anne Arundel and Kent counties. He was a member of the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association and had strong ties to the agricultural community. A member of the Annapolis Striders, he was a dedicated marathon runner. Running the Pikes Peak Marathon three times, he abided by the motto: “start slow, and taper off.” For many years, he served as a coach for the Optimist Basketball League, in which his children played. Dr. Hall will be remembered by his love of gardening, music and sports; his dedication to his family and his friends; and his sense of humor. He was a loyal fan of the Maryland Terrapins and the Baltimore Colts.

He is survived by his wife, Megan; his son, Andrew; his daughters, Katelyn, Lindsay and Emma; his mother, Estelle (91); his brother, Richard Hall; and a very large and loving extended family. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts or the Annapolis City Parks and Recreation Department.

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Don't Forget to List Your Externship with MVMA

MVMA is compiling a list of externship opportunities to support our relationship and communication with the students at VMRCVM. If you are a member and want to list your externship, click here.

Welcome New Members

MVMA welcomes the following members who have joined since our last newsletter was published.

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MVMA Classifieds

MVMA's most recent job listings and listings for practices and equipment for sale. DETAILS

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Coming Events

April 3-4, 2013
Bovine Conference
Hagerstown, Maryland

May 16, 2013
Mid-Atlantic Clinic
West Friendship, MD

June 23-25, 2013

128th Annual Summer Conference
Ocean City, MD

November 8-10, 2013

2013 Potomac Regional Veterinary Conference
The Greenbrier Resort

White Sulphur Springs, WV

MVMA Leadership

Board of Directors

Executive Director

Ronald H. Sohn

Associate Executive Director

Brittany Sohn

MVMA Headquarters

3230 Maiden Lane, Suite 5
PO Box 26

Manchester, MD 21102

443-507-6500 ext. 106

Fax: 443-507-6519

mvma@ managementalliance.com

www.mdvma.org

Relief Veterinarians

Click here for MVMA's List of Relief Veterinarians

Contributions

The Maryland Veterinarian is the quarterly publication of the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association.

Editorial Contributions

Editorial contributions are welcome. Click here to submit an article.

The opinions expressed by the authors published in The Maryland Veterinarian are not necessarily those of the MVMA, its officers, directors or members and should not be construed as legal advice, medical advice or a recommendation of conformity.