Hello Fellow IVMA members ~
I cannot believe this is my last letter to you as the IVMA president. It has been a privilege to serve as your President this year. This newsletter includes the IVMA Impact Report, giving us the opportunity to update you on all the accomplishments and projects overseen by the IVMA to improve, educate, and lead the association for YOUR benefit.
As we wrap up another year in Indiana, I thought I would take a minute to reflect on our achievements this past year. Currently, the IVMA has had three long standing working Groups: the Crossroads Veterinary Conference Working Group, the Legislative Working Group, and the Health and Wellness Working Group. In addition, we added two additional working groups: the Power Programs Working Group and the Continuing Education Working Group to address member needs for innovative continuing education. The Power Programs working group is chaired by Dr. Katie Ingold and has been diligently working to continue the development of our Power of 10 Program, Power of Business Program, and IVMA Lead program. I am happy to announce that we will be offering Power of Business this year in March and April. This program will provide 11 hours of continuing education and cover topics in Practice Culture, Veterinary Technician Utilization, Staff Training and Artificial Intelligence.
The Health and Wellness group oversees our innovative Member Assistance Program (MAP). The MAP offers help for personal and/or professional concerns by providing FREE, confidential, short-term counseling and personal consultation. Additionally, the MAP provides work-life resources for such issues as legal and financial consultations, online learning, and other resources. The IVMA now offers an option to a veterinary hospital to purchase the Member Assistance Program for employees through the Power UP Program. This program extends coverage to all your employees and their immediate families.
The Crossroads Veterinary Conference is rapidly approaching – February 5-7, 2026, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone. We can thank the Crossroads Working Group for an excellent program that has something to offer anyone in any area of practice. We are excited for our keynote speaker, Dr. Peter Weinstein on “What Got Us into 2026 Is Not What the Future Needs.” We have a full exhibit hall and I know there will be lots of great conversations in the hallway during the meeting.
Our newly established Continuing Education Working Group has been busy developing additional CE Opportunities. We recently offered a CPR Wet Lab and have plans for an Ultrasound Wet Lab in May. Additionally, we have launched a new networking series for early career veterinarians (less than 5 years out of veterinary school) beginning on Tuesday, January 6 from 6 to 7 pm. Each zoom session will cover a topic pertinent to early career veterinarians and give them an opportunity to connect and share experiences in a supportive space. This is complimentary for IVMA members.
The IVMA Board of Directors meetings will be held this year on the following dates: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Wednesday June 17, 2026, and the August 2026 date is TBD. The leadership of our board members is terrific, and I am honored to have served with them in 2025.
Lastly, I want to express my deep gratitude to my colleagues. I am so inspired by our members, who give back to our profession by giving their time generously through mentorship, working on our task forces and working groups, and attending continuing education. You have been vital to our success this year. Thank you for your dedication and for making this organization the supportive, innovative, and thriving community it is. I look forward to what we will achieve together in 2026.
Warmly,
Kristi Kantz, DVM
IVMA President
kristikantz@hotmail.com