(SAN ANTONIO) August 6, 2016 –Every occupation looks to its leaders to take it decisively into the future by embracing its strengths, eagerly accepting difficulties and not settling for condition quo. A new class of “movers and shakers” in veterinary medicine was revealed at the American Veterinary medicine association (AVMA) Convention, today, August 6, in San Antonio.

“We are celebrating the fifth anniversary of the AVMA Future Leaders program,” stated Dr. Joe Kinnarney, AVMA president. “This distinct program was established to even more prepare veterinarians who have a demonstrated interest in organized veterinary medicine to be leaders for the AVMA, other veterinary medical associations, and society.” Dr. Kinnarney spoke at the 2016 Future Leaders press Conference.

The Future Leaders program, supported by Zoetis animal health and its chief Veterinary medical policeman Dr. Christine Jenkins, has produced a range of materials and spearheaded programs on occupation transitions, cultural competency, work-life balance, wellness and more. The program is available to experts who have demonstrated leadership skills and have been out of veterinary institution 15 years or less. as much as ten participants are chosen each year.

Dr. Jenkins and Dr. Ken Andrews of High impact Facilitation, who have served as mentors for each Future Leaders class, were acknowledged with a commemorative “compass” for their instrumental involvement.  “Thank you for being our guiding star and ‘true North’ over the past five years,” stated Dr. Kinnarney.

“We’ve never needed these leaders much more than we do today. These are difficult times,” stated Dr. Jenkins. “We believe these difficulties can be dealt with if we choose candidates with strong leadership characteristics early in their careers and develop them into stronger leaders.”

The challenge of the outgoing class was to carry out wellness in the workplace. “As veterinarians we are always focused on the wellness of our patients,” stated Dr. Sarah Allison, Future Leaders class of 2015-2016. “However, we requirement to focus on making ourselves and our colleagues well. We know the stats of our profession, such as boosted dangers of depression, mental distress and burnout.”

Dr. Allison’s class dealt with these wellness problems by producing a five-step wellness toolkit. The set includes a short video, concepts for producing a culture of wellness, work-team discussion points, a game plan for work group “huddles” and how to select a wellness champion. “We know the benefits of implementing wellness…improved morale, boosted productivity, lower turnover” stated Dr. Allison. “More importantly, though, when we are well, we are better able to serve.”

The outgoing class also invited crucial leaders throughout the occupation to make wellness a concern and indication the AVMA Future Leaders wellness Pledge. Drs. Kinnarney and Jenkins were the first to indication the document, complied with by other leaders in attendance at the conference.

Each year, the AVMA receives lots of nominations for Future Leaders from specify and local VMAs, specialty organizations and also individual veterinarians. chosen candidates communicate and work well in team settings and have a strong interest in organized veterinary medicine and advocacy. They are also AVMA members.

The Future Leaders class of 2016-2017 is:

Dr. Joshua Ames, buddy animal personal practitioner, Spartanburg, SC

Dr. Jennifer Bornkamp, scientific instructor in anesthesiology, Ames, Iowa

Dr. Kirk Brueniger, corporate veterinary medicine practitioner, Vancouver, WA

Dr. Tracey Hlede, buddy animal personal practitioner, Chicago

Dr. Christina Larson, comparative medicine practitioner, Minneapolis

Dr. Jessica Larson, industrial practitioner, Nashville, TN

Katie Rohrig, Chatham, buddy animal medicine, Chatham, VA

Dr. Ian Rubinoff, poultry medicine practitioner, Wakefield, RI

Dr. Nicki Wise, an partner professor in large animal medicine and surgical treatment at St. Georges university institution of Veterinary Medicine, Grenada, W.I.

Jennifer Wishnie, food animal industry practitioner, Seattle, WA

To learn much more about the AVMA annual Convention, see www.avmaconvention.org. For much more information on medial chances at the AVMA Convention, and to register as a press attendee, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations specialist, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell) or msanfilippo@avma.org. members of the media should register with the AVMA prior to the convention to validate their press credentials and make sure that their press badges and materials are prepared for them when they arrive. Registration for the press is free.

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The AVMA, established in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with much more than 88,000 member veterinarians around the world participated in a broad range of expert activities and devoted to the art and science of veterinary medicine.