IVMA
Communiqué 
"Serving veterinarians for the benefit of animal and human health"
December 12, 2017
In This Issue
Dates to Remember
December 25
IVMA Office closed for Christmas

January 1
IVMA Office closed for New Year's Day

January 25
IVMA Executive Board Meeting

February 14-15
IVMA Winter Conference

February 28
Legislative Day
 
For more information on any of these events visit www.iowavma.org.

   

  If Santa won't be bringing you preconditioning tags and certificates and you need to order your own supply, here is the holiday schedule:

Christmas Holiday
Orders placed by 11:00 am on Friday, December 22 will be shipped that day and delivered by Tuesday, December 26.

New Year's Holiday
Orders received by 11:00 am on Friday, December 29 will be shipped and delivered by Tuesday, January 2.
 
Have Your Renewed Your IVMA Membership?
Thank you to all the IVMA members who have renewed their members for 2018!
 
If you haven't renewed it's not too late! Your membership renewal will ensure that you continue to receive all the benefits of membership and support the veterinary profession in Iowa.
There are three easy ways to renew!
  1. Send in the renewal notice you received in the mail with a check to pay your dues.
  2. Log-in to www.iowavma.org and follow the on-line instructions. You may choose to pay with a credit card or have us bill you for your dues.

3. Call the IVMA office at 800-369-9564. We can take your credit card information over the phone.
A note to IVMA Life Members: Even though you received a renewal notice, your membership dues are optional. Many IVMA Life Members continue to pay dues to help support the IVMA.
 
Thank you for your continued support of the IVMA!
ISU Interim Dean Dr. Pat Halbur Speaks on the 2018 Farm Bill 
In an column in the Des Moines Register on November 28 Iowa State University's Interim Dean Dr. Pat Halbur discussed how the 2018 Farm Bill could help protect Iowa's Animal Industry.  He stressed the importance of establishing and Animal Pest, Disease and Disaster Prevention and Response Program, strengthening the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN); and establishing and funding a robust U.S. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Vaccine Bank in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Read his entire column here.
   
Wellbeing During the Holidays: 5 tips to Alleviate Stress

End-of-the-year holidays are often filled with family gatherings, tradition, anticipation and expectations.  Not surprisingly, this combination can contribute to feelings of not only joy, but also stress.

If you are among those people who find the holidays stressful, you're certainly not alone - and there are simple things you can do to take back some control and boost your spirits! Dr. Jen Brandt, the AVMA's director of member wellbeing and diversity initiatives, offers these five tips for decreasing stress and increasing joy during the holiday season.
Class Action Lawsuit against Stericycle, Inc.
A federal court in Chicago, Illinois, recently provided its initial approval of a $295 million settlement of a class action lawsuit against Stericycle, Inc. The lawsuit involves certain Stericycle customers between 2003-2017 who were charged and paid more than their contractually-agreed price for Stericycle's medical waste disposal goods and services under Stericycle's "Automated Price Increase Policy."
 
Veterinarians and veterinary medical facilities may be receiving a postcard or other mailing regarding this settlement and are encouraged to review the material to determine the best way to proceed. In addition to mailing materials to class members, the parties to the lawsuit have also set up a website that includes comprehensive information about the lawsuit, the settlement, who may submit a claim for a portion of the settlement funds, and how to submit a claim: http://www.stericycleclassaction.com/ 
Join Santa's Support Team in case of a "Reindeer Emergency" ! 
AVMA Members can "join" Santa's veterinary support team!

Your clinic can been certified as an official "Santa's E.L.V.E.S." (Emergency Landing and Veterinary Expert System) location.

In the event that Santa's reindeer team needs to make an unscheduled Christmas Eve stop for sled repairs, refueling, or veterinary care, staff at your clinic will be available to provide needed assistance and ensure a safe and on-time delivery of Santa's cargo.

Visit this AVMA website to get your official badge to share on your social media pages.

Santa's official veterinarian, also known as AVMA President, Dr Mike Topper has examined Rudolph and the other reindeer on Santa's team and given them "RTF" (Ready to Fly!) status. Click here to see a video of Dr. Topper's reindeer inspection.
Dr. Topper has also issued "North Pole Certificate of Animal Export"  indicating they are healthy to travel between U.S. states and across national borders.

To learn more about Santa's reindeer, visit AVMA.org/Santa .

  The IVMA Communiqué is published bi-monthly by the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association.
1605 N. Ankeny Blvd Suite 110
Ankeny, IA 50023
515-965-9237 or Toll Free 800-369-9564
Visit our Website at www.iowavma.org