The Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) is seeking a dedicated veterinary professional or technician to serve on the Community Liaison Committee (CLC). This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to fostering public trust, confidence, and cooperation between the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) and the Winnipeg community.

Term of Appointment: The selected committee member will serve a three-year term, with the possibility of renewal for up to two additional terms (a maximum of nine years in total).

Meetings: The CLC meets quarterly, with additional ad-hoc meetings arranged as needed by the Chairpersons. Meetings are held both virtually and in-person.

Role of the Committee Member:

• Act as a representative of the veterinary medical community.
• Help facilitate open and transparent communication between the NML and the Winnipeg community.
• Inform and address community concerns related to activities at the CSCHAH and JC Wilt laboratories.
• Serve as an ambassador to the community by sharing accurate information and promoting public engagement in science and safety.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Judy Hodge for her years of dedication and service on the CLC. Her commitment to fostering transparent communication and strengthening the relationship between the veterinary community and the public has been invaluable. As Dr. Hodge transitions from this role, we are now seeking a new veterinary representative to continue this important work.

Veterinarians or Veterinary Technologists interested in joining the committee are encouraged to express their interest by contacting the MVMA Council via email. To apply, please reach out to Corey Wilson, Executive Director & Registrar, at registrar@mvma.ca

The deadline for submission is March 19th, 2025.

We look forward to your participation in this important community initiative.

For a detailed overview of the committee’s mandate, scope, and responsibilities, please refer to the Community Liaison Committee Terms of Reference

As we approach the flood season, the risk of significant flooding is currently considered low to moderate. However, if you’re a veterinarian working in the livestock sector, it’s important to review the updated Veterinary Certificate of Probable Cause of Death form. This form has been amended in collaboration with the government to help veterinarians certify the cause of death for animals affected by natural disasters, which may qualify for financial relief through the Disaster Financial Assistance Program.

The document outlines the key responsibilities for producers, municipalities, and emergency organizations during an emergency. If you’re working with livestock clients, make sure your practice is equipped to assist them with the claims process by keeping the necessary information on hand.

In addition, the document includes helpful resources on flooding, evacuation, and mental health support, ensuring you have the tools and knowledge to navigate distressing situations.

Disaster Financial Assistance Program

Due to inflation, MVMA membership fees will increase by 1.1% for the 2025-2026 membership year. We recognize the financial pressures our members face and have kept the increase minimal to continue supporting the profession effectively.

At this time, we do not yet have the updated CVMA or MVTA membership fees, but we will share this information as soon as it becomes available.

Find the updated MVMA Fee Schedule for 2025-2026 here.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the MVMA office.

We are pleased to announce Dr. Amanda Swirsky’s appointment to the MVMA Council as of February 2025. She will serve a three-year term, concluding in 2028

Dr. Swirsky has been passionate about veterinary medicine since a young age. Originally from Alberta, she earned her Bachelor of Science with honours in animal biology from the University of Alberta. Since graduating in 2011, she has practiced veterinary medicine primarily in Manitoba, with a focus on small animal clinics. Currently, Dr. Swirsky enjoys her role at Beausejour Animal Hospital, where she specializes in feline medicine.

At home, Dr. Swirsky balances a busy family life with three young boys, two dogs, two cats, hens, and honey bees. She also enjoys gardening and spending time at local lakes during the summer.

As a member of the MVMA Council, Dr. Swirsky is dedicated to addressing the evolving challenges within the veterinary profession. She is committed to exploring strategies that provide greater support for veterinarians in delivering exceptional care to their patients while ensuring excellent service to their clients.

Welcome, Dr. Amanda Swirsky!

We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers for the Red River College Polytechnic Veterinary Technology Program Advisory Committee. Participants will offer guidance on program development, ensuring graduates meet industry standards. For more details, visit the MVTA’s information page: MVTA Call for Volunteers.

For the safety of MVMA staff, our office is available by appointment only. We kindly ask members to schedule their visits in advance to ensure we can provide the best possible assistance.

To make an appointment, please visit https://www.mvma.ca/staff/ for contact information.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we continue to prioritize a safe and efficient working environment.

Thank you for your support!

Dear colleagues,

As you may know, the National Examining Board (NEB) is responsible for the administration of the veterinary medicine examination process. Graduates from non-accredited schools must successfully pass a series of examinations, including the Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE) in order to obtain a Certificate of Qualification. The BCSE is constructed with the help of veterinary practitioners and veterinary faculty members in Canada and the United States. The rigorous assessment process would not be possible without the voluntary contribution and commitment of these knowledgeable and committed veterinarians.

In this context, the NEB and the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) request you, in your capacity as a veterinarian, veterinary specialist or veterinary school faculty member, to consider participation in ONE OR MORE of the 2025 BCSE workshop events, organized by the ECFVG. The 2025 workshop events will be held either in-person or remotely. Please see the following general logistics for each of the three 2025 BCSE workshops:

• Problem Item Notification (PIN): This remote workshop will be held virtually May 2, 2025, with a 3-hour time commitment (9am-12pm CST).
• Item Review: This is an in-person workshop (in Schaumburg, Illinois) from May 30-June 1, 2025. Travel to this workshop would occur on May 29, 2025. This workshop is 3 full days. 

• Form Review: This remote workshop will be held virtually June 4-6, 2025, with each day being a 9am-4pm CST time commitment.

Please see the attached document for specific details on what each workshop involves as far as tasks.

2025 BCSE Workshop Descriptions

Participants must hold a DVM/VMD or equivalent degree; be actively working in or recently retired (within 5 years) from the veterinary profession (e.g., private clinical practice, corporate practice, academia, public practice, government), and during employment in the veterinary profession must have interacted with new graduates (within 2 years) from CVMA/AVMA/Council on Education-accredited veterinary schools/colleges.

We hope you will find it valuable to participate in ONE or MORE of these workshops. Please provide the following information to be evaluated by Prometric and staff based on the amount and type/specialty of subject-matter experts we need for each workshop:

Name:

Workshop(s) you are willing to attend:

Specialty/Area of expertise:

Email address:

Phone number:

Please RSVP with the above information via e-mail ( rcook@avma.org ) regarding your interest in participation by February 18, 2025.

On behalf of the NEB and ECFVG, we thank you for your time and consideration of the examination development process. We look forward to hearing from you. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions about either the NEB program or the BCSE development process.

2025 BCSE Workshop Descriptions

The International Council for Veterinary Assessment is sending a nomination call out for interested veterinarians to apply for one open position on the Assessment Development Committee. The current opening is for the area of Swine. Nominees should have knowledge and experience with swine in the context of private clinical practice and/or practice of veterinary medicine at accredited veterinary schools.

Nominations must be received by April 4, 2025.

More information about this opportunity with the Assessment Development Committee can be found here.

Interested veterinarians or associations are invited to nominate individuals. Self-nominations are also welcome.