President`s Message

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President’s Message
It would be hard as a veterinarian to have
missed the recent news story about Dr. Susan
Koshi, a New York City veterinarian who was
driven to suicide by a sad case of cyber
bullying and public protest against her clinic
over the disputed ownership of a stray cat
Dr. Koshi had nursed back to health. I feel
like her story was a daily appearance in my
inbox and on my facebook feed for well
over a month.
It would also be hard as a veterinarian to not
have heard the words “compassion
fatigue”. I feel like from vet school forward I
have heard these words on such a regular
basis that I’m almost desensitized to their
meaning. I have felt on more than one
occasion fatigued about hearing about
compassion fatigue.
So I did some research in to why us
veterinarians get beat over the head so
much about compassion fatigue and
suicide. Here’s what I learned:
 In a 2010 U.K. study published in the
Veterinary Record, veterinarian were
four times more likely than the general
public to commit suicide and twice as
likely as any other health care
professional.
SFVMA OFFICERS
President
Carrie Jurney, DVM, DACVIM
(Neurology)
415.566.0540
[email protected]
Vice President
Leila Marcucci, DVM, DAVBP
(Avian)
415.566.4359
[email protected]
Treasurer
Cyndi Stiglich, DVM
650.369-9096
[email protected]
Secretary
Shari B. O’Neill, DVM, DACVPM
415.681.4313
[email protected]
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 A 2012 study published in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education
shows that among polled veterinarians 66% had been clinically
depressed, 24% had considered and attempted suicide.
 That same 2012 study showed that out of that same group only 11%
thought suicide was a significant concern for veterinarians.
 The 2012 study also revealed a 41% family history of addiction and
alcoholism, which is a primary risk factor for addiction in adults.
This is a disturbing set of data. Not only are we highly at risk for suicide, we are as
a whole in denial about that risk as well as being at high risk for unhealthy
coping mechanisms.
So why is this?
The U.K. study postulated a variety of risk factors. To review some of them:
1) Access to means of suicide, Attitudes to death and euthanasia: You know
where the euthasol is kept and how to use it. We are exposed to
euthanasia on a daily basis, and are trained that death to end suffering is
not only acceptable but sometimes the best answer. It’s obvious to see
how this could translate to suicidal tendencies. Unfortunately it was
reported that up to 50% of a group of veterinarians used euthanasia
solution to commit suicide.
2) Suicidal contagion: Unfortunately as you are exposed to the suicides of
your colleagues you are more likely to do the same.
3) Gender, Cognitive and Personality Factors: Veterinary medicine attracts
high achievers who are often sensitive empathic people. Veterinarians
are also increasingly women who sadly have a higher risk of suicide than
their male counterparts.
4) Work stress, including exposure to disease outbreaks: Unfortunately we see
a spike in veterinarian deaths during disease outbreaks, such as the 2001
Foot and Mouth outbreak in the UK.
5) Psychiatric illness, alcoholism and the perceived stigma of seeking
help: Unfortunately, our personalities and job stress are risk factors for
alcoholism, poor coping mechanisms, mental illness and suicide. Even
more unfortunately there is still is such a stigma to mental illness that
people do not seek the help they need.
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On discussing this article with my colleagues we sadly were able to easily come
up with over a dozen names between us of veterinarians who had committed
suicide. So, then the next very important discussion becomes, how do we take
care of ourselves?
Well, here’s what the experts say. It’s really nothing shocking:
Take care of yourself.
Exercise. Eat healthy. Drink enough water.
Learn to say no.
Pick your battles.
Develop a support system.
Take time off. Learn to step away from the stress.
Get help when you need it- preferably before you are in crisis.
It’s easy to say these things, but why is it so hard to do them? Like any journey, it
begins with a single step. So I would encourage all of you to pick one of these
things and take that first step to a sustainable, happy balanced life. Take care of
yourselves, and each other.
Carrie
Thank you to
AIMSS for
sponsoring the
Summer meeting!
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Thursday, June 19th
Hypertension: The Ups and Downs of Blood Pressure
Dr. Sarah Stewart, DACVIM; Dr. Cass Rogers, DACVECC;
Dr. Carrie Jurney, DACVIM (Neuro)
The Cliff House
1090 Point Lobos Avenue
415.386.3330
6:45 pm Hors d’oeuvre and No Host Bar
7:15 pm Dinner and meeting
8:00 pm Program
This meeting is open to all DVMs
Non-members pay $75
Hors d’oeuvre (subject to change)
House Authentic Bruschetta
Jumbo Prawns wrapped in Bacon with Honey Sauce
Dinner
Baby Arugula and Shaved Fennel Salad
Porcini Dusted Salmon
Fresh Herb Polenta, Braised Spinach, Pinot Noir Sauce
Dessert
Lemon Soufflé with Blueberry Sauce
Please RSVP individually here (via the SFVMA website) with choice of entrée by
June 13th.
Remember: The Association pays for uneaten meals.
If you have RSVP’d and will not be able to make it, we need you to send in your
cancellation no later than NOON on June 13th.
 Note: We apologize, but the Cliff House will be unable to accommodate
vegan meal choices.
Please remember to leave nametags at the sign-in table after the program.
Thanks for your help!
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SFVMA News
Dues/ Membership
Please take a moment to be sure that your contact information is up-to-date
(especially the email address to which the newsletter should be directed) by
completing a membership application. The application form may be submitted
electronically on our website. Please complete the form if you have not already
done so. If your dues were paid via a group/hospital/employer payment, we
likely do not have all of your individual information on file!
SFVMA members’ names will
be listed on the website with
hospital affiliation. Email
addresses will be confidential
and used only for the purposes
of communicating with the
membership regarding matters
related to the organization.
Payments will be on a “per
meeting” basis ($75 per
meeting) for the remainder of
2014. No exceptions!
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Charitable Donations
The SFVMA Board will consider charitable grants to organizations that support the
care and welfare of animals in our community and promote the veterinary
profession. Please contact Cyndi Stiglich for details on requests for donations.
Animal Control
and Welfare
Commission
The Animal Control and
Welfare Commission is made
up of representatives from
stakeholder organizations
with an interest in animal
issues (including a practicing
veterinarian) as well as
members of the public. The
Commission acts as an
advisory body to the Board
of Supervisors with regard to
animals in private, public,
and commercial care, and
holds hearings and submits
recommendations regarding
animal control and welfare in
San Francisco. Meetings are
held at City Hall, Room 408
on the third Thursday of the
month (no meeting in
December) at 5:30pm and
are open to the public. If
you have any issues that you
feel should be considered in
future meetings, please
contact Shari O’Neill.
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Rabies Clinics
Thanks to our volunteers for 2014!
Sunday, June 8
Robin Kelley
Anna DeVincenzi
Sunday, Sept 7
Dorrie Black
Sunday, Dec 7
Mike Ina
Rabies clinics will be held at
Animal Care and Control (ACC),
1200 15th Street (at Harrison) on from
10am-1pm.
Please contact Dr. Leila Marcucci if you
have any questions or would like to
volunteer for the clinic.
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Dear Colleagues,
Lots of news and important information so please read on:
1. Reminder: If you would like to partner with SFAFA in the coming fiscal year (July 1,
2014 to June 30, 2015) and receive Grant-in Aid funds, your application must be
received by May 31, 2014. If you have questions or need a grant application please call
Anne Marie Benfatto at 415 731-0193. Award letters will be sent out in early July.
2. Reminder: If you still have unused Grant-in-Aid funds from this year and you plan on
using those funds, the paperwork must be to Anne Marie no later than June 15.
Grants-in-Aid funds do not roll over but are returned to the general fund for
redistribution next fiscal year that begins July 1, 2014.
3. In a recent survey of SFVMA members over 80% indicated that they could have used a
second Grant-in-Aid. If we have sufficient funds then this will happen. Which leads me
to my next point.
4. We really do appreciate your help in our fund raising efforts. At present fourteen
hospitals have donation jars in their waiting rooms. These have raised over $7000 in
the past two years. We have just acquired new, very cute, clear plastic dog-house
donation containers that, we hope, every hospital will want in their waiting room. Our
‘In Memoriam Program’ continues to grow and has brought in more than $16,000 and
we hope that more hospitals will join. Your continued support allows us to help you
keep pets with their families.
5. Finally we would like you to know that in the past two years we have distributed over
60 Grants-in-Aid totaling more than $25,000. In-kind donations from veterinarians
have been over $45,000. These funds have paid for over 50% of medical bills totaling
more than $125,000 and played a part in saving more than 50 pets’ lives. Thank you
again for all your help and support.
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SFVMA Scholarships
Veterinary Students
Congratulations to Sarah Alwen as
this year’s UCDavis recipient! Dr.
Ina at Arguello Pet Hospital
recommended Sarah.
If you know a good candidate for
2015, please encourage them to
apply. Applications are accepted
from October to December
annually as determined by the
college. Requirements are: current
enrollment in the vet med program,
current or former employment by
an SFVMA member, and a letter of
recommendation from the same.
Interested students can contact:
Aaron Broadus
Financial Aid and Scholarship
Office
530.752.9722.
[email protected]
We will also offer a scholarship at
Western University next year.
Requirements are: current enrollment
in the vet med program, current or
former employment by an SFVMA
member, and a letter of
recommendation from the same.
Interested students may contact:
Tim McPheron
Director of Development
College of Veterinary Medicine
[email protected]
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RVT Students
Congratulations to Elin Gunnarsson as this year’s recipient of the SFVMA RVT
Scholarship! Dr. Herman and Dr. Bar at All Pets Hospital recommended Elin.
To support and encourage RVTs in San Francisco, the SFVMA has established a
scholarship program for students enrolled in an accredited RVT program. We
will award $1000 to 2 candidates who are currently or have previously worked
in the practice of an SFVMA member, and have a stated desire to return to SF
after graduation. Submissions should include a personal statement from the
student, a letter of recommendation from the veterinarian, and proof
of enrollment at an accredited RVT program.
The deadline for applications is May 1 annually. Questions should be sent to
Dr. Shari O'Neill at [email protected].
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LGBTQ Veterinary Night OUT
Tales of the Village. A Walking Castro History Tour
Celebrating CVMA PacVet and our community
Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 6:30 PM
Join members and friends of the LGVMA for a walking tour to The
Castro and learn about the rich history of veterinary medicine and
the LGBTQ community.
Meet at the
RAINBOW FLAG at the corner of Market and Castro.
$10 fee (applicable towards optional LGVMA membership)—FREE
for current members
Optional dinner after tour at Dante’s on Castro +/- barhopping.
Remember to wear comfortable shoes!
RSVP by June 12 to [email protected]
(PLEASE indicate “Tour Only” or “Tour and Dinner” on your RSVP)
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Volunteer Opportunities
Veterinary Street Outreach Services (VET SOS) is
recruiting volunteers- DVMs and veterinary
assistant/technicians- for its monthly mobile
clinics serving the companion animals of
homeless San Franciscans. Visit www.vetsos.org
for more information, including upcoming clinic
dates. Support the human-animal bond in this
vulnerable population and work with
outstanding volunteers from all over the Bay
Area!
Voicemail: (415) 355-2248
Email: [email protected]
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Want to do something that saves lives, feels good and helps your community? Then volunteer to
help animals when disasters strike in California!
Thousands of animals need care during
and after disasters. Some 63% of
California households have pets,
including an estimated 10 million pet
cats, nine million dogs, and one million
horses. Other pets, farm animals, and
wildlife also need assistance during and
after disasters like earthquakes, floods,
and wildfires.
Veterinary professionals are vital to animals during disasters. The mission of the California
Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (CAVMRC) is to provide veterinary professionals with the
training and credentialing necessary to support animal health and public health.
Deployment is always voluntary. Volunteers get involved at whatever level works for them –
assistants are needed as well as leaders, part-time responders are as welcome as those who can
help out for a week or two, plus there are ongoing roles in areas such as planning and disaster
response. Volunteer participation can be a matter of life or death for rescued animals and
means the world to the owners of those animals.
Benefits of joining the CAVMRC
The CAVMRC provides veterinary professionals:
Credentialing necessary to support animal health and public health emergency response.
Continuing education and training opportunities that allow you to strengthen your skills to better
serve your practice, your community and our state.
Networking and information sharing opportunities with veterinary team members across the
state.
Who can join the CAVMRC?
You don’t need any prior disaster response experience or training to join the CAVMRC. The entire
veterinary practice team is welcome, including:
♦ Veterinarians
♦ Registered veterinary technicians
♦ Veterinary assistants, office managers and all support staff members
♦ Students in veterinary medical programs
♦ Retired veterinary professionals with a current license
Program Affiliation
The CVMA registered the CAVMRC as a unit of the Medical Reserve Corps under the California
Emergency Medical Services Agency and works in cooperation with local, statewide, and
national agencies. The CVMA has played an important role in preparing for and responding to
disasters in California since 1994 and builds on this experience with this new affiliation.
For more information visit the CAVMRC website.
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Classifieds
Banfield Pet Hospital is growing and
seeking Veterinarians to join our fullservice, preventative care,
companion animal hospitals in the
San Francisco Bay Area. Locations
include San Leandro, Milpitas,
Sunnyvale, and San Carlos. At
Banfield, we celebrate and enrich
the family‐ pet relationship through
our knowledge, expertise and
products to make a better world for
pets and people. Our doctors are
the backbone of our company and
as a doctor with Banfield, you will
have the opportunity to utilize your
passion, experience, skill, and
expertise as a part of a high
performing team. With in-house
labs, digital radiography, high
speed dental equipment, and the
largest data base of evidenced
based medicine in the industry, you
will have all the tools necessary to
provide high quality care for the
pets and clients you serve. We offer
continuing education, unbeatable
benefits, and the opportunity to
grow in your career.
Email
[email protected]
for more information.
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Continuing Education
2014 ACVIM Forum
June 4-7, 2014
Nashville, TN
The 2014 ACVIM Forum is the annual conference offered by the American
College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. It is the most highly focused scientific
program available for veterinary internal medicine and is open to all
veterinarians, technicians and students who want to advance their knowledge
in this field.
Mya Sadler
(303) 231-9933
[email protected]
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Pacific Veterinary Conference
Join us in San Francisco June 19–June 22, 2014! The conference is located at the
Hilton San Francisco Union Square, in the heart of San Francisco’s restaurant,
theater, and shopping district with many nearby world-famous attractions and
entertainment.
PacVet continues to bring great continuing education to a world-class vacation
destination. The four-day conference gives you the opportunity to earn CE with
plenty of time to spend with family and friends. Build your schedule from over 220
CE hours including 28.5 hours of technician-specific CE. There are more than 200
CE sessions and labs offered in multiple tracks, including small animal surgery and
medicine, avian/exotics, equine, mixed animal, disaster preparedness, as well as
tracks for technicians and practice managers.
http://www.pacvet.net/
ContinuEd Pacific Northwest Veterinary Symposium
July 16-19, 2014
Seattle, WA, United States
Contact: Dr. Drew Turner
(800) 539-7395
[email protected]
Join us for great CE, and take time to explore Seattle and the Pacific Northwest at
its summertime best. Two world-renowned experts will be joining us: Dr. Sandra
Merchant, from Louisiana State University, discussing dermatological disorders,
and Dr. Catharine Scott-Moncrieff, from Purdue University, discussing endocrine
disorders. We have arranged for savings on accommodations at the beautiful
Mayflower Park Hotel, along with discounts on airfare and car rentals. Join us this
July in Seattle!
http://www.continued.com/ContinuEdPacificNorthwestVeterinarySymposium2014
.html
AVMA Annual Convention
July 25-29, 2014
Denver, CO
Colorado Convention Center
http://www.avmaconvention.org/avma14/public/MainHall.aspx?ID=4513&sortMe
nu=101000
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One Health Symposium
Where Humans, Animals and Environment Intersect
August 24, 2014
Gladys Valley Hall, UC Davis Campus
https://ce.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/content/2014-one-health-symposium
New Techniques in Small Animal Surgery
Practical Veterinary Seminars
August 31, 2014
San Francisco, CA, United States
Holiday Inn Express
373 South Airport Blvd.
Dr. M. Joseph Bojrab
(702) 435-1375
[email protected]
Surgery of the Anal Area, Ear and Stomach
These presentations will include conditions encountered with the anal area of dogs
(perineal hernia, perianal fistulas, and anal sac disease), with the ear (including
TECA), and with the stomach (including GDV surgery). All will be covered in a
practical descriptive manner for all SA practitioners. Also new products will be
discussed. http://www.drbojrab.com/files/registration.htm
International Conference on Feline Health
September 5-7, 2014
Gladys Valley Hall, UC Davis Campus
Registration limited to 150 participants per track
This dual track conference will delve deeply into feline health for pets as well as
animals in multi-cat environments such as shelters, sanctuaries, foster/rescue
facilities, catteries and free roaming cats.
Session 1 is for cat breeders, cat lovers, shelter staff, and veterinarians seeking both
knowledge and continuing educations credits. This session will concentrate on
problems in the multiple cat environments, and presentations will be given by
guest speakers. Session 1 will also be available on a live, interactive webinar. Dr.
Andrea Fascetti will present the keynote address “The History of Feline Diets.”
Session 2 consists of scientific talks from submitted abstracts. Topics will be selected
for their importance to feline health and for novelty. During this moderated session
presenters will be given 15-25 minutes with 5 minutes for question and answers. The
keynote address for this session will be “The Conquest of Feline Leukemia Virus
Infection” by Dr. Oswald Jarrett.
https://ce.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/content/2014-international-conference-felinehealth
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22nd Annual Fall Symposium on Recent Advances in Clinical Veterinary Medicine
October 5, 2104
UC Davis
Advanced Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Symposium
UCDavis
October 10-11 lectures and October 25-26 labs
The Village at Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe
https://ce.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/content/2014-advanced-oral-and-maxillofacialsurgery-symposium
Ophthalmology Symposium
UCDavis
October 17-18, 2014
Embassy Suites Monterey Bay
https://ce.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/content/2014-ophthalmology-symposium
Biking, Hiking, Wine Tasting and CE in Sunny Santa Barbara:
Santa Barbara is truly the American Riviera - nestled between the Santa Ynez
Mountains and the Pacific Ocean it is the home to some of California's best
wineries and a Mediterranean climate and way of life. This conference October
23-26, 2014 will feature 15 hours of CE in Small Animal Anesthesia, Emergency
Medicine and Cardiology by Drs. Ben Brainard (DACVA, DACVECC) and William
Rausch (DACVIM-Cardiology). There will be optional group outings on bike and for
wine tasting and full details can be found at vetlectures.com.
CE in Paradise:
Picture if you will sunshine, warm clean water, kayaking, white sand beaches,
stand-up paddle boarding, unbeatable tacos and mountain biking......Now picture
that in February. We will make a triumphant return to our winter home on the Sea
of Cortez for 6 days and 5 nights of all-inclusive seaside Continuing Education. All
lectures will be new for 2015. This is a small group meeting and limited to 16
attendees. Feb 7-12, 2015.
Full details at vetlectures.com.
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