R E D W O O D E M P I R E V E T E R I N A R Y M E D I C A L A S S O C I A T I O N R E V M A N E W S M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 3 R E V M A B O A R D P r e s i d e n t s A d d r e s s President: Dr. Jona Jordan Coddingtownvetstaff@yahoo.com Coddingtown Veterinary Clinic (707) 546-4646 Vice-President: Dr. Michael Magne Michael.magne@vcahospitals.com VCA Animal Care Center (707) 584-4343 Treasurer: Dr. Leah Hertzel Cathospofpetaluma@sbcglobal.net Cat Hospital of Petaluma (707) 778-7859 CE Coordinator: OPEN Member-at-Large: Dr. Lisa Alexander Lisa.alexander@vcahospitals.com VCA Animal Care Center (707) 584-4343 REVMA Executive Secretary: Tiffany Rovai Tiffany.rovai@vcahospitals.com (707) 544-9193 W H A T S I N S I D E President s Report So what does the CVMA do for us anyway? When do they meet? And why should we care? Well, how about this do you care about your taxes? Or that we have an effective state veterinary board? Or whether it is legal to participate in telemedicine consultations? Then you might want to hear about what is going on with our state veterinary organization the CVMA. The CVMA Board of Governors met last weekend and took positions on all bills that we are watching this year. Positions are posted on the Government Action Center on the CVMA website. Two bills are of the highest importance: SB 688 Sales Tax Exemption for Veterinary Medicine (Galgiani) This bill, sponsored by the Board of Equalization and co-sponsored by the CVMA, would provide for a sales tax exemption for veterinarians, non-profit animal welfare organizations, and government shelters when prescription drugs or medicines are used, furnished or sold for the treatment of animals. The CVMA will be working closely with the author and the sponsor on this important legislation. The first hearing has not been set but we think it will be the first part of May. Pet Loss Support Group Classifieds CVMA Update Upcoming Continuing Education Currently, veterinarians must pay tax on the sale and use of prescription drugs and medicines. If this bill passes, veterinarians would no longer have to pay this tax. This will hopefully allow for more prescriptions to be overseen directly by the veterinarian. This bill will also support affordable prescriptions for the consumer. Continued on Page 3
President s Address/CVMA Update Continued from page 1 SB 307 Healing Arts: Veterinary Medical Board (Price) This bill would continue the Veterinary Medical Board in statute to January 1, 2018; the board is scheduled to expire on January 1, 2014. While the CVMA supported the continuation of the VMB, the CVMA also submitted testimony at the joint hearing regarding the VMB s need for additional staff, delays at intake of complaints, and a greater focus on unlicensed activity. Two members from CARVTA argued that the VMB was not paying enough attention to RVT issues which the CVMA disagrees with. This may cause the Sunset date to be two years instead of a four year approval. The next hearing is on April 29. The VMB is currently undergoing their Sunset Review. The effectiveness of the VMB is being examined and issues identified. Solutions to these issues will then be proposed and discussed. Without this bill the VMB would cease to exist as of January 1, 2014. The Board of Governors approved recommendations from the Animal Welfare Committee on CVMA policies on unwanted companion animals, elephants in captivity and on elephant guides and tethers. The Board discussed recommendations by the Committee regarding changes to the CVMA Eights Principles of Animal Care and Use. They did not agree with the recommendations and referred this back to the Committee. The goal is to review and update these Principles as needed to best represent today s veterinary profession. They also asked the Committee to revisit the CVMA s policy on feral cats, recognizing that strategies to deal with the feral cat population have changed in recent years. The VMB s Multidisciplinary Committee began a discussion on telemedicine/telehealth at their last meeting. Presentations were made by three members of the UC Davis Veterinary School faculty and administration. This is a huge topic that could have a large impact on the profession. This issue looks at whether veterinarians should be able to prescribe for patients they have not personally examined, but have consulted directly with the owners via telephone or electronic means. The CVMA is forming a task force to independently study this issue. It will also be a topic at the next joint meeting of the House of Delegates and Board of Governors on June 23. The CVMA passed bylaws in 2012 that included redistricting and changes to the governance structure. The new structure changes the composition of the CVMA Board of Governors from 15 board members from 10 geographic districts to 11 board members from nine geographic districts and four at-large members. Implementation will take several years. The terms for our district's governor (District VII) will expire effective June 30, 2013. Dr. Suzanne Hanson is not eligible for another term. District VII (VMAs of Marin County, Redwood Empire, North Valley, Northern California, Mendo-Lake, Humboldt-Del Norte, part of Sacramento Valley) Applications are due on May 10 for the Don Low/CVMA Practitioner Fellowships. Fellows earn 72 CE units. The Pacific Veterinary Conference is in Long Beach on June 20 23. If you are interested in becoming more involved with the CVMA, or have any questions and/or input regarding CVMA issues, please contact Lisa Pesch, DVM at 707.546.5196. Oh, and REVMA is still desperately in need of a CE coordinator! ~Jona Jordan, DVM
Classifieds Veterinarian: Associate with ownership interest eagerly sought by Santa Rosa Veterinary Hospital. We are AAHA accredited caring for dogs, cats, birds and exotics. Excellent, friendly staff. Terrific clientele. Email Joel Blumberg, D.V.M. cliffave@gmail.com Veterinarian: Seeking part time DVM for small animal hospital in Pt. Reyes Station. Well equipped with digital dental radiology, Catalyst/Lasercyte in house lab and experienced support staff. Great community adjacent to pristine protected National Seashore, Practice quality medicine in a unique rural setting. Must be comfortable with routine surgeries and have excellent client service skills. Stress free scenic commute. Contact Mary Whitney, DVM 415-663-1533, email resume to docwhitney@att.net Veterinarian: Wanted FT/PT veterinarian for a small practice in Healdsburg. Practice has recently been remodeled, minimum of 3 years experience, need to be able to work solo at times. Open 4 1/2 days per week with no after hour emergencies. Contact Lisa or Dr. McCrystle at 707-433-5539 or at healdsburgvet@gmail.com. RELIEF VETERINARIANS Dr. Mark Willett is available for relief work: small animals and exotics. 530-304-8249 Dr. Amanda Landers is available for relief work, small animals and pocket pets. 707-363-0998 or pogenpal@yahoo.com. Dr. Steve Diehl is available for small animal relief work. 707-508-6215 or stevediehl@mac.com Dr. Brian Baumgard is available for small animal relief. 805-558-9740 Dr. Michael Salkin (UCD 1972) is available for relief work: small animals, birds, pocket pets 707-292-9156. Full time/part time/relief: Dr. Tejinder Nagra is available for small animal general practice (dogs and cats only). I cover 75-mile radius around Santa Rosa and have been doing this since 2001. Contact 707-696-6203 or email tejinder.nagra@sbcglobal.net Diana K. Phillips, DVM Available for relief work or part time 1-2 days a week. Years of experience in Marin and Sonoma County. Contact me at DKPDVM@mac.com or 415-328-7707. Dr. Jennifer Kong is available for small animal relief. 707-546-8634 or jenkong@comcast.net Kerry Levin, DVM, CVA (acup) now available for relief work in North Bay Area. Practice owner for 25 years and prior relief vet experience. General small animal, mixed and acupuncture/integrative medicine. 707-972-5465 or drkerrylevin@comcast.net Dr. Anne Stark is available for small animal relief work at 707-775-5462 or acdogdoc@gmail.com Dr. Margaret Basurto is available for relief/part time/full time position in small or large animal medicine. Experienced with handling large animals. Contact 530-966-4565 or mbasurtodvm@gmail.com Dr. Darcy Atterbury (MN 78) is available for small animal relief. Competent, compassionate care while you re away. Call 707-433-0315 RELIEF TECHNICIANS Marilyn Engstrom is available for relief work: experienced veterinary technician 707-484-3192 Betsy McConnell, RVT, is available for small animal relief work in Sonoma County. I am an experienced relief tech, with 5 years of full time experience in general practice. Let me help you if you have team members out on maternity or sick leave, or on vacation. Call me at 707-865-1519. References available.
R E V M A P.O. Box 2330 Rohnert Park, CA 94927 (707) 544-9193 REVMA Membership Meetings: Our regular membership meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month, except for the October and December meetings. Look for our informational faxes on all of these meetings. Social 6:30 PM. Lecture and dinner 7:00 PM. Dinner and CE are included with your full REVMA membership. Others are welcome at $50 for technicians and $55 for veterinarians. RSVP by the Thursday prior to the meeting by calling (707) 544-9193. May 16, 2013 Core vs. Non Core The Other Side of the Story by Dr. Meadows June 20, 2013 Topic TBD sponsored by Pet- Care Veterinary Hospital July 18, 2013 Raw Diets by Dr. Lisa Pesch REVMA Board Meetings: Wednesday, May 15th at 12:00pm to REVMA at (707) 544-9193 if attending. REVMA Pet Loss Support Group: For guardians who have experiences the loss of all types of pets and for those who are anticipating the loss of their pet. Meetings are for families, singles, couples, children and adults. Drop-in, no fee group meetings are held every Tuesday from 7:15PM 8:15PM at the Brookdale lodge at Paulin Creek, 2375 Range Avenue, Santa Rosa (excluding holidays). Meetings are held in the Community room and are facilitated by Group Leader, Jane Sorensen, RN, MFT Updated annual newsletter advertising rates for members: Quarter page $350; Half page $500; Full page $600 contact (707) 544-9193 to place ads.