Committees of the association are formed to address the many issues and concerns, which come before the veterinary profession. Members are invited to volunteer their time and talents to serve on committees of interest to them. Throughout issues of the newsletter, various committees will be highlighted including a listing of those serving on the committees. If you would like to serve on any committee, please call the MVMA and volunteer. Every attempt is made to accommodate your service to your profession. Come to a no obligation committee meeting or talk with the co-chair for more details.
View the complete listing of MVMA committees, committee charge and chair contact information below:
Always remember the AVMA as a valuable resource for MVMA committee work.
2017-18 MVMA Committees and Committee Charges
1. Wellness and Peer Assistance Committee (formerly Chemical Impairment and Addictions Committee)
BOD Liaison: Joni Scheftel, DVM
Committee Chairs: Marceen Hammer DVM
Provide help and be a resource of information to MVMA members on issues of chemical dependence, mental health, professional burn-out and compassion fatigue. The members regard it as their responsibility to identify and/or provide assistance to MVMA members in need and to help them resume a well-balanced and healthy life. The committee is not a regulatory agency and does not report to one. (March 2018 mtg minutes)
Wellness and Gender in Veterinary Environments (WeGive) Subcommittee
To develop an annual track at the MVMA convention on topics pertaining to wellness and gender in veterinary environments
BOD Liaison: Joni Scheftel, DVM
Subcommittee Co-Chairs: Stacey Holzbauer, DVM, Megan Schommer, DVM
2. Continuing Education Committee
BOD Liaison: Ann Brownlee, DVM
Committee Chair: Jennifer Schurrer, DVM
Create and carry out continuing education seminars for veterinarians and staff; assist veterinarians in broadening their knowledge and skill levels to provide the best medical care for their clients and patients. (April 2018 Meeting minutes)
3. Finance & Operations Committee (formerly Finance Committee)
BOD Liaison: Jim Winsor, DVM
Committee Chair: Jerry Sprau, DVM
Develop a fiscal policy including budget analysis, separate convention budget, long-range dues increases, review of expenditures, recommendations for the expenditures of funds, increases and decreases of expenses. Annual review of policies and procedures for MVMA financial transactions. (June 2017 Meeting minutes)
4. Food Animal Committee
BOD Liaison: : Matt Boyle, DVM
Committee Chair: Chris Nord, DVM
To keep MVMA members apprised on food animal issues such as pharmaceutical use in food producing animals, as well as other food safety and welfare practices that enhance animal agriculture and production. The FAPC will monitor current federal and Minnesota regulations for food animal practitioners, will communicate new information to MVMA members, and will work to assist members with their efforts to be compliant with the current food animal and safety standards and best practices pertaining to food animal species. Contribute to the planning of annual convention bovine program of the MVMA. (July 2017 Meeting minutes)
5. Governmental Affairs Committee
BOD Liaison: Tim Krienke, DVM
Committee Chair: Thomas Hagerty, DVM
Serve as liaison for the MVMA with the state legislature and various state agencies. Develop the annual legislative program for approval by the Board of Directors and in cooperation with the standing committees. Coordinate the activities of the lobbyists in support of the annual legislative program. Monitor legislation affecting veterinary medicine at the state and national levels. Serve as liaison for the MVMA with the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council, Minnesota Forum for Animal Agriculture, livestock commodity and companion animal organizations. Promote membership in VET-PAC and update yearly the Key Contact Network. Prepare and distribute the Legislative Alert Bulletins to the Key Contact Veterinarians during the legislative session. (February 2018 Meeting minutes)
State Fair - Miracle of Birth Center Subcommittee (formerly Miracle of Birth Committee)
BOD Liaison: Matt Boyle, DVM
Co-Chairs: Florian Ledermann, DVM; Mary Olson, DVM; Holly Neaton, DVM; David Wright, DVM; Gala Beckendorf, DVM; Kevin Haroldson, DVM
To educate fairgoers about the birth process and about the care animals receive from producers and veterinarians. In addition, educate fairgoers about the animal agriculture and how farmers will meet the challenge of feeding the world’s expanding population with limited resources. (September 2017 Meeting Minute)
State Fair - Surgery Suite Subcommittee (formerly Surgery Suite Committee)
BOD Liaison: Ann Brownlee, DVM
Subcommittee Chairs: Krista Walkowiak, DVM & Travis Anderson, DVM
Organize and coordinate all aspects of the State Fair Surgery Suite to educate the public on pet overpopulation and veterinary medicine in general. (April 2018 Meeting Minutes)
7. Membership Committee
BOD Liaison: Matt Boyle, DVM
Committee Chair: Open
To promote and retain MVMA membership for the continued growth and advancement of the organization. The Nominations and Awards Subcommittee reports to this committee. (No Meeting)
Nominations and Awards Subcommittee
Subcommittee Chair: Tim Krienke, DVM
Develop list of nominees for positions to be elected to the Board of Directors and coordinate MVMA awards activities.
8. CVM Liaison Committee
BOD Liaison: Tim Goldsmith, DVM
Committee Chairs: David Lee, DVM, MBA
Strengthen relationship between MVMA and student, faculty and graduate veterinarians. Identify and support collaboration between MVMA and University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Promote and foster communication. (April 2017 Meeting Minute)
9. Veterinary Practice and Management Committee
BOD Liaison: Rob Memmen, DVM
Committee Chair: James Nelson, DVM
Reviews and studies veterinary practice and economic issues in the areas of practice management, tax, legal/regulatory, reimbursement, pet insurance, staff, practice guidelines, etc. Strengthen and enhance the practice of veterinary medicine. Contribute to the planning of annual convention and seminar practice management topics. (April 2017 Meeting Minute)
10. Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Council (https://www.mnvmrc.org/)
BOD Liaison: Nancy Peterson, DVM
Council Chair: Open
Represent the MVMA to facilitate the development of a viable and sustainable veterinary disaster and emergency preparedness program to protect and serve the people, pets and animal agriculture of Minnesota. Develop the MVMA Minnesota Veterinary Reserve Corps (MVMRC) and promote it to state agencies, counties and emergency managers throughout Minnesota as the professional veterinary entity to support them in times of disasters or emergencies. (March 2017 Meeting Minutes)
11. Practice Ethics & Grievance Council
BOD Liaison: David Fell, DVM
Council Chair: Kathryn French, DVM
Review complaints from various concerned parties and confidentially mediate disputes between dissatisfied clients and veterinarians. (No regular meetings, complaint based meetings)
12. Public Health Council
BOD Liaison: Joni Scheftel, DVM
Councils Chairs: Stephanie Yendell, DVM & Larissa Minicucci, DVM
Enhance the health and well-being of both humans and animals through education. Keep the veterinary community informed of public health/regulatory medicine issues and promote the human-companion animal bond.
13. Council of Senior Veterinarians
BOD Liaison: David Fell, DVM
Council Chair: Dick Olson, DVM
Provide a forum to discuss issues of interest to senior veterinarians, and to participate in projects beneficial to the profession.
14. Veterinary Technicians Council (formerly Veterinary Technicians Committee)
BOD Liaison: Ann Brownlee, DVM
Council Chair: Sharon Hurley, DVM
Serve as a liaison between MAVT and MVMA. Promote concept of certification over non-certification of technicians and the value of continuing education of technicians. Educate veterinarians in the utilization of technicians to promote professionalism of the veterinary profession and make sure veterinary technicians are educated and knowledgeable about the Veterinary Practice Act. Oversee the administration for the veterinary technician’s examination for certification of graduate veterinary technicians given by the Credentialing Subcommittee. (No Meeting)
15. Small Animal Welfare Council (formerly Small Animal Welfare Committee)
BOD Liaison: Tim Krienke, DVM
Council Chair: Susan Spence, DVM
To develop and monitor programs and policies that influence companion animal welfare issues in the state of Minnesota. Furthermore, explore feline overpopulation, spay and neuter programs or initiatives, and investigate ways of providing veterinary care to individual pet owners who face economic challenges in providing veterinary care for their pets. (No recent meeting)
16. Equine Issues Council (formerly Equine Issues Committee)
BOD Liaison: Nancy Peterson, DVM
Council Chair: Julia Wilson, DVM, DACVIM
To keep MVMA members apprised on equine issues as well as other health and welfare practices that enhance equine care and practices. The EIC will monitor current federal and Minnesota regulations pertaining to equine issues, will communicate new information to MVMA members, and will work to assist members with their efforts to incorporate best practices pertaining to the equine species. Contribute to the planning of annual convention equine program of the MVMA. (No Recent Meeting)
17. Industry Partners Council
BOD Liaison: Rob Memmen, DVM
Council Chair: Heidi Brenegan
Helping veterinarians feel supported by industry and providing feedback for MVMA/MVMF events while fostering industry relationships through collaboration and networking. (December 2017 Meeting Minutes)
18. Feline Council (New)
BOD Liaison: Open
Council Chair: Elizabeth Fenske, DVM (Pending)
Recognizes the significant need and opportunities for veterinary care with cats as companion animals. It also considers the challenges associated with feline medicine. (No Meeting)
Committees – Identified in the bylaws (standing) or task forces and ad hoc committees appointed as needed by the current president or board of directors.
Councils – On-going self-governing groups to engage diverse member interests. They may take on projects or simply be a forum to unite and allow exchanges of like- minded members.
Task Forces – Small groups formed to address a specific need or project-based activity with a limited scope and duration.
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