Hot Topic Webinars
This webinar series is designed to bring you the latest veterinary information in a timely manner in partnership with those who are in the trenches! WebEx Meeting software is used to conduct the online Hot Topics. Join a test meeting now to ensure your device is set up properly.
Watch Tackling Tularemia with Teamwork: A One Health Approach for Minnesota Vets from October 23, 2025
Watch Current State of H5N1 in Companion Animals from June 18, 2025.
Hot topic SCHEDULE
Wednesday, June 10 from 12 pm - 1 pm
Adopt the Pug, Not the Bug: Protecting Minnesota’s Dogs and Their Human Companions from Canine Brucellosis
Minnesota’s dogs and their human companions face a potentially life-altering illness in canine brucellosis. At noon on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, join the Minnesota’s Board of Animal Health’s senior companion animal veterinarian Dr. Steve Kivisto and Minnesota Department of Health senior epidemiologist Maria Bye for a discussion of the current situation in the state. We’ll be tackling:
- The biology of Brucella canis, the bacteria responsible for brucellosis in dogs.
- The potential for zoonotic infection and how to mitigate the risk to you and your staff when working with brucellosis positive dogs.
- Testing and importing dogs from high-risk areas and what your clients should know before adopting them.
- How the MDH and the Board respond to positive cases.
- What the Board of Animal Health is doing to help reduce the risk of brucellosis in dogs.
Steve Kivisto, DVM, Senior Companion Animal Veterinarian, Minnesota Board of Animal Health
Dr. Steve Kivisto currently oversees the companion animal branch of the Board of Animal Health. This includes import regulations, commercial dog and cat breeders, kennels and various zoonotic diseases.
Maria Bye, MPH, Senior Epidemiologist, Zoonotic Disease Unit, Minnesota Department of Health
Maria Bye is an epidemiologist in the zoonotic diseases unit at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and coordinates the surveillance for zoonotic special pathogens such as brucellosis, Q fever, and tularemia. She also supports the rabies surveillance program and helps to investigate enteric outbreaks linked to animal contact.
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Thursday, June 18 from 12 pm - 1 pm
Navigating the Minnesota Veterinary Practice Act Updates: What You Need To Know
Here directly from Dr. Pamela Johnson, Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine, in this informative webinar on regulatory changes. Get the insights you need to stay compliant and prepared.
Pam Johnson, DVM, MPH, Executive Director, Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. She completed a two-year Equine Field Medicine internship at The Ohio State University from 1998-2000. She practiced equine ambulatory medicine until 2010 when she received a master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota. After spending 18 months at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center working as pandemic flu planner for the hospital, she began her public health career in Food Safety with USDA/FSIS. Dr. Johnson is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve Veterinary Corps and has been on 4 overseas military deployments conducting global veterinary stability operations.
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