Lunch 'n' Learn
Lunch 'n' Learn sessions help busy MVMA members and non-members obtain CE credits without having to leave work and are open to all veterinary professionals! These one-hour sessions are held on the second Tuesday of each month from 12–1 p.m. (central). Attendees receive 1 interactive CE credit.
Pricing: MVMA Members: FREE Non-Member MN Licensed Veterinarian: $45/session CVTs, VTs, VAs: $20/session Non-MN Licensed Veterinarian: $20/session
WebEx software is used to conduct the online Lunch 'n' Learn series. Join a test meeting now to ensure your device is set up properly.
LUNCH 'N' LEARN SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 12-Comparing Tick Efficacy of Monthly Oral Products Matt Eberts, DVM, Regional Consulting Veterinarian, Elanco Animal Health
Oral tick and flea medications have revolutionized veterinary practice and many options are available. This presentation will summarize studies directly comparing drug options in regard to tick efficacy and disease prevention.
Matt Eberts D.V.M. is an Elanco regional consulting veterinarian for companion animals. He received his D.V.M. in 1999 from Ohio State University and completed an internship at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital. After the internship, he moved to Brainerd, Minnesota to work at Lakeland Veterinary Hospital, becoming medical director and co-owner. The northwoods of Minnesota is a hotspot of tick infections and managing tick-transmitted disease is a pillar of practice. Matt became involved in research regarding managing and diagnosing tick-borne infections, leading to multiple publications and academic presentations. He joined the team at Elanco Animal Health in 2016.
Tuesday, June 9-Angus' Angst: Nutritional Management of Canine Allergic Skin Disease Abby Soderberg, DVM, Professional Consulting Veterinarian, Upper Midwest, Hill's Pet Nutrition
We will explore a case-based approach to managing environmental and food allergies in dogs. Specifically, you will learn about the most common sources of allergens, recommended diagnostics, and available treatment options. There will be a focus on nutritional management using hydrolyzed or limited-ingredient foods for food allergies, as well as specific nutritional strategies for canine atopic dermatitis.
Dr. Abby Soderberg earned her BS in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and her DVM from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, Dr. Soderberg worked in small animal private practice for five years in Zimmerman, MN, before transitioning to her current role as a Professional Consulting Veterinarian for the Upper Midwest with Hill's Pet Nutrition. She is eager to apply her private practice experience to the Hill's mission of transforming pet lives through nutrition. Outside of work, Dr. Soderberg enjoys traveling, reading, and trying new craft beers.
Tuesday, July 14-Harmful Algal Blooms in Minnesota Kelley Vilen, MPH, Epidemiologist, Waterborne Disease Unit, Minnesota Department of Health
This session will provide an overview of illness associated with harmful algal blooms in Minnesota, including a summary of HAB cases in Minnesota, signs and symptoms, treatment, case reporting, testing resources, and prevention messaging.
Kelley Vilen is an experienced epidemiologist with the Waterborne Diseases Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), where she conducts public health surveillance and leads outbreak investigations, including human and animal illness associated with harmful algal blooms. She has a background in science education and received her MPH from the University of Minnesota. Since joining MDH in 2017, Kelley has also worked with the Zoonotic and Foodborne Diseases Units, and spent several years during Minnesota’s COVID-19 response co-leading an outbreak detection team and serving as a subject matter expert for case investigation and external partners.
Tuesday, August 11-The Next-Generation of Treatment for Allergic Dermatitis Raenna (Rae) Rice, DVM, Professional Services Veterinarian, Merck Animal Health
Allergic skin disease remains one of the most common and frustrating conditions in small animal practice, and treatment failures can have a negative impact on the overall success of the practice, as well as relationships with pet owners. This lecture will provide a review of management of allergic dermatitis in dogs, including flea allergy dermatitis, adverse food reaction, and atopic dermatitis, and compare currently available treatment options. We will take a detailed look at Numelvi, Merck Animal Health’s new JAK inhibitor for the treatment of allergic dermatitis in dogs, including its mechanism of action, clinical indications, safety profile, and integration into existing treatment protocols.
Dr. Raeana (Rae) Rice graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2012 and worked as a general practitioner and practice manager for 10 years at the Stillwater Veterinary Clinic but decided to pursue a career in industry following the birth of her daughter in 2022. She supported veterinary schools on behalf of Hill’s Pet Nutrition for 3 years as an Academic Affairs Manager and is thrilled to have joined Merck as a Professional Services Veterinarian in November of 2025.
Tuesday, September 8-Poultry Nutrition Timothy Broderick, PhD, Poultry Technical Manager, Ralco Nutrition, Inc.
Tuesday, October 13-Wieght Cannot Wait Abby Soderberg, DVM, Professional Consulting Veterinarian, Upper Midwest, Hill's Pet Nutrition
This session explores the pet obesity epidemic and its impact on the health and longevity of pets. We will discuss helpful tips for communicating weight loss with clients. Attendees will also learn how to score Body Fat Index (BFI) and determine ideal body weight using the BFI chart, and then use these tools to create nutritional weight loss plans for their patients.
Dr. Abby Soderberg earned her BS in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and her DVM from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, Dr. Soderberg worked in small animal private practice for five years in Zimmerman, MN, before transitioning to her current role as a Professional Consulting Veterinarian for the Upper Midwest with Hill's Pet Nutrition. She is eager to apply her private practice experience to the Hill's mission of transforming pet lives through nutrition. Outside of work, Dr. Soderberg enjoys traveling, reading, and trying new craft beers.
Tuesday, November 10 TBA
Tuesday, December 8-Investments Jon Marquet, JD, CEPA, Retirement Plan Consultant, Trust Point, Inc.
Tuesday, January 12 Bret Halishak, Total Practice Solutions Group
Tuesday, February 9 No Lunch 'n Learn this month-See you at the 2027 Annual Conference!
Tuesday, March 9 TBA
Tuesday, April 13 TBA
Tuesday, May 11-Mental Health Restorative Path Counseling & Wellbeing
Tuesday, June 8 TBA
Tuesday, July 13 TBA
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