IVMA
Communiqué
"Serving veterinarians for the benefit of animal and human health."
March 2, 2021
VMLRP Accepting Applications
The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) is accepting applications through April 16.

This federal program helps qualified veterinarians offset a significant portion of the debt incurred in pursuit of their veterinary medicine degrees in return for their service in certain high-priority veterinary shortage situations. 

The 2021 counties for Iowa selected as shortage areas include Cherokee, Hardin, Henry, Linn, Mahaska, Marshall and Shelby and their adjacent counties. Also included is a Public Health Veterinarian in Denison, IA.
 
To apply, visit the USDA’s Applicants Page and the Application Guide is a good resource. All applications must be received by the USDA by April 16, 2021.
Become the Link Between the IVMA and Recent Graduates
Applications are now being accepted to become an Emerging Leader Liaison (ELL) to the Administrative Committee for the IVMA. The purpose of this position is to provide a link and build relationships between recent veterinary school graduates and the IVMA. This position is open to any IVMA member who has graduated from veterinary school within the last 7 years.
 
The Emerging Leader Liaison will attend select meetings and events. As compensation, the ELL will receive a one-year IVMA membership, all travel expenses to attend meetings, and paid registration to some veterinary conferences.
 
For a full list of job responsibilities, compensation offered and how to apply visit the IVMA website under “Membership/Recent Graduates”. Application deadline is April 30.
Webinar Series on Pricing Strategies Available
value_price_puzzle.jpg
The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) and Veterinary Medical Association Executives (VMAE) have launched a free three-part webinar series, New and Improved Pricing Strategies.
 
Of all the business decisions that a veterinary practice must make, those involving setting prices for products and services are among the most important and impactful ones. No other decision affects the practice’s revenues or profits as directly or significantly as a pricing decision does. Price changes have a direct, immediate, and measurable effect on a veterinary practice’s revenues and profits.
 
The VHMA will issue a one (1) hour continuing education certificate to attendee for each session attended. The webinars are free but registration is required for each separate webinar.
 
March 23, Noon -1:00 pm: What are the components of an effective pricing decision framework? How does the cost of providing care fit into price-setting? How does the concept of value fit into price setting?
 
May 25, Noon- 1:00 pm: What are some new pricing strategies that make it easier for pet owners to say yes to more and better care? How do you implement them?

Previously presented January Webinar - On demand soon: What does the research tell us about pricing in veterinary medicine? Should you rethink your pricing strategy? How can you tell?
 
For more information and to register visit https://vmae.org/pricing-strategies/
Iowa State CVM "DEI Minute"
The Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine is presenting a monthly video series called "DEI Minute" on topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Even though February is behind us, click on the video to continue to celebrate Black History Month.
IVMA Virtual Winter Conference Available On Demand
Did you miss the IVMA Winter Conference? No problem! The recorded version of the conference is available for viewing until Mid-May. You can earn up to 20 hours of CE! Check out the topic and speaker line-up and register at www.iowavma.org.
Webinar Available to Guide You Through Paycheck Protection Program
A new AVMA webinar guides you through the most recent need-to-know updates to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Available for on-demand viewing, COVID-19: Overview of latest relief package offers a guided explanation of the PPP, including the simplified application process, deductibility of expenses, loan overview, and tax provisions.

Webinar viewers also get answers to commonly asked questions, so you can stay up-to-date on the latest changes to this popular program. The presentation features accountant Terence O’Neil, partner at Katz, Sapper & Miller’s Veterinary Services Group.

The webinar is the latest addition to AVMA’s free COVID-19 education series on AVMA Axon. The series provides practical information and resources to help the veterinary community navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics include scientific guidance, practice tools, wellbeing, financial impacts, and more.
Free Financial Wellbeing Webinar
A free webinar, Ensuring Your Financial Wellbeing as a Veterinary Professional is being offered by Pet Poison Helpline on Thursday, March 4 at Noon.

Financial wellbeing is often overlooked in everyday life, especially for busy veterinary professionals who are encountering ever-increasing student loan burdens and other personal and professional financial obligations. This often leads to stress and other negative consequences that directly affect one’s general wellbeing. In this webinar, Dr. Grace Kim dives deep into the topic of financial wellbeing, ensuring that veterinary professionals can not only survive, but thrive with their finances! She will encourage participants to look past the numbers and spreadsheets in order to ensure that their money is being used as a tool to live their best life.

This complimentary webinar is pending approval for CE credit.
 
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 800-369-9564
ivma@iowavma.org |www.iowavma.org
FOLLOW US