Welcome Message from the 2024 WAVMA President - Dr. Matthijs Metselaar

Dear WAVMA Members,

I am thrilled to present you my vison of 2024, my presidency year, where our theme centers around "Professionalization." As we gather to discuss and explore advancements in our field, I'm excited to share some key developments that will shape WAVMA's trajectory in the coming year.

First and foremost, we are proud to announce a substantial increase in our budget dedicated to the administrative team. This investment allows us to enhance the support provided to the board, leading us to hire a second part-time administrative professional. Their role will be pivotal in ensuring the continued efficiency and progress of WAVMA.

Our commitment to stability and progress is further strengthened with the finalization of comprehensive guidance documents and a yearly calendar for the board. This strategic move aims to provide a solid foundation, fostering a more stable board environment for sustained growth.

Recognizing the importance of fiscal responsibility, we have reduced our travel budget for 2024. We've allocated $500 for each meeting, encouraging collaboration with local members attending these events. This not only promotes WAVMA's activities but also ensures a mindful approach to our financial resources.

In line with our forward-thinking approach, our esteemed fellows have embarked on formulating a strategic vision for the next decade. This strategy will encompass both short-term and long-term goals, laying the groundwork for WAVMA's continued success.

Building on existing relationships with national organizations such as FVS, MEVEA, AAFV, AVMA and TAVA, we aim to strengthen our political profile. This strategic networking will empower us to increase our influence on the global political stage. We aspire to adapt and adopt local policies, aligning them with global initiatives and implementing collaborative efforts with organizations like ECAAH, WVEPAH, EAFP, FAO, WOAH, WVA, WSAVA, IVSA and EMA.

As we embark on these exciting endeavours, we remain dedicated to monitoring our return on investment (ROI) closely. Our goal is to achieve a positive income in 2024, ensuring financial sustainability and success in all our undertakings.

I look forward to engaging in fruitful discussions, forging new connections, and collectively shaping the future of WAVMA. Together, let's continue to make WAVMA a driving force in the world of aquatic veterinary medicine.

Warm regards,

Matthijs Metselaar DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECAAH, CertAqV, MIFM, MRCVS 

 

What is WAVMA?

 

WAVMA has been able to organise aquatic veterinary educational programs or streams at the WVA Congress since 2005 and an aquatics stream at the WSAVA Congress since 2015. Through these affiliations, WAVMA has been able to build bridges with numerous veterinary and non-veterinary organisations around the world, including WOAH and FAO. Consequently, WAVMA has promoted aquatic veterinary medicine within our profession but also to those outside the profession.

As an organisation with global reach, it is important that we continue to be the conduit of shared knowledge to improve, promote and expand aquatic veterinary medicine. WAVMA is an altruistic organisation prepared to share and build resources for the benefit of the aquatic veterinary community globally.