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New Developments for 2013

 

The WAVMA Executive Board would like to wish all members a Happy and Prosperous New Year for 2013!

2012 was marked by several successful meetings, not just of educational value for members but also allowing WAVMA to promote aquatic veterinary medicine to global audiences. Starting with a one day session at Aquaculture America, the annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop, five days of aquatic lectures during the AVMA Convention and a workshop during the NOVICE Conference. As well as providing educational events WAVMA had a booth at these events as well as others such as the SAVMA Convention.  As an Asssociate member of the World Veterinary Association and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, WAVMA was able to influence global veterinary policies.

For 2013, WAVMA will be present at the above events as well as the World Veterinary Congress where we will hold our AGM. The current program includes sessions at Aquaculture America, AVMA Convention and the World Veterinary Congress, where additionally WAVMA will hold a biosecurity workshop. 

The Cert - AqVP is a modular credentialing program aimed at providing any veterinarian with "Day One Competencies" through assessment of the knowledge, skills and experience (KSE's) required of an aquatic veterinarian to provide services. Whilst there are several options available for veterinarians to gain qualifications in aspects of aquatic veterinary medicine, most require a period away from the practice. The Cert - AqVP is designed to be completed whilst working in practice and is also suitable to new graduates and others with an interest in aquatic veterinary medicine. Completion and awarding of the certificate provides the client with an assurance of the abilities of the veterinarian. The Cert - AqVP is currently being trialed by a small group of veterinarians and should become generally available in the first quarter of 2013.

WAVMA held its first WebCEPD session towards the end of 2012 which attracted great interest, with over 120 people attending the live event. WebCEPD will provide an affordable source of continuing education and professional development with a significant discount available to WAVMA members. The intent is to provide live, approximately one hour long webinars, given by notable speakers, allow those who attend to ask questions and subsequently to go through a knowledge skills assessment (KSA) which if passed as a WAVMA member will provide a CPD certificate. Recorded webinars will be archived through the WAVMA website and available for streaming. 

The first WAVMA Fellows were elected during 2012 and congratulations are extended to them! The WAVMA Fellowship program requires three WAVMA members to nominate a member who has contributed significantly to the development of aquatic veterinary medicine. The nomination will subsequently be scrutinised by a committee of peers with the awarding of a fellowship recognising this contribution. The program was developed as there are few if any mechanisms to internationally recognise aquatic veterinarians who have contributed significantly to the field, except through academia. As such there are several categories of contribution which can lead to nomination.

WAVMA continues to develop member services and promote aquatic veterinary medicine. Join WAVMA and gain the benefits to yourself and your profession. As a member during 2013, your membership subscription could directly save you at least $600 as well as belonging to the worlds largest aquatic veterinary association.