Dear Diplomates,

I hope this message finds you well and thriving in your professional endeavors! As we welcome Spring and move into the second quarter of 2024, I’m pleased to provide an update on some of the work taking place within the ACVIM.

First, the call for certification-related committee volunteers is open until April 24, and I encourage you to explore the opportunities available if you are at all interested in becoming a volunteer. Serving on one of our many committees is simply the best way to get involved with the ACVIM and offers valuable opportunities to make a lasting impact on our organization and the field at large. And, if you’re interested in leadership positions, it’s the perfect place to start!

Next, I’m pleased to share that the MentorVet Lead for New Diplomates pilot program kicked off March 25 and will continue for six months. The inaugural cohort, comprised of 15 early-career ACVIM Diplomates, will engage in online learning, peer support, coaching and mentorship tailored to specialists and their unique needs. A special thank you to Chewy Health for their support of the program and for fully sponsoring the first two cohorts! The second cohort will start recruiting this Fall, so keep an eye out for that announcement if you are interested in getting involved as a mentor or mentee.

Finally, and as we all know, artificial intelligence (AI) is today’s hot-button topic, and our profession is not immune to its impact. I am excited to announce that an ACVIM Artificial Intelligence Taskforce has been established and will focus on the following goals:

1. Providing guidance on evidence-based use of AI and machine learning (ML) in veterinary medicine.
2. Promoting expertise and active AI/ML research within the ACVIM membership.
3. Developing educational material to improve AI/ML literacy for the veterinary community.

The AI Taskforce is led by Dr. Krystle Reagan and is rounded out by six additional Diplomate volunteers across specialties, with CEO Shannon Carter acting as the staff liaison. You can expect to hear more about the AI Taskforce, their findings and eventual educational resources in the coming months.

As always, thank you for your continued dedication to veterinary specialty medicine. I know how full our plates tend to be as specialists, so your engagement and desire to remain informed is very much appreciated. I will close with a quick plug for the upcoming 2024 ACVIM Forum – whether you attend virtually or in person in Minneapolis, it’s a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together to learn, collaborate and celebrate our achievements. I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,