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> Articles by: Christpina

Author: Christpina

Get to Know Your CVMA Board of Governors: Kelly Byam, DVM

Dr. Kelly Byam serves on the CVMA’s Board of Governors, representing District III (Kern County VMA and Orange Belt VMA). If you are a member of District III, you may contact Dr. Byam at kbyam@cvma.net. I spent undergrad at Fresno State, post-grad at Lincoln University in Christchurch, New Zealand, and veterinary school at UC Davis.

Common Mistakes We See in Veterinary Practice 401(k) Plans

For many veterinary practice owners, setting up a 401(k) plan feels like a one-and-done milestone—an important step in offering employee benefits and building a financial foundation for the business. But as with much in veterinary medicine, the initial diagnosis isn’t the end of the story. Plans evolve, needs shift, and overlooked details can quietly create problems over time.

Five CVMA Members Appointed to AVMA Committees

Each year, the CVMA sends out a notice of open vacancies on American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) councils and committees and encourages members to apply for these voluntary positions. Below are the CVMA members who secured AVMA council/committee positions this year.

Meet the 2025–2026 Donald G. Low/CVMA Clinical Veterinary Medicine Academy Scholars!

The CVMA is excited to announce the five participants in the Donald G. Low/CVMA Clinical Veterinary Medicine Academy for the 2025–2026 academic year. Congratulations to these five outstanding individuals for being chosen for this program! The academy scholars and their service assignments (SA) are as follows:

Can Veterinary Practices Compound Drugs? Yes.

The National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) enables enrolled veterinarians to issue interstate and international animal health certificates, which are required for animals to cross state or country borders. The program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS).

2025 Linda Markland Outstanding RVT of the Year in Non-Private Practice Award

Each year, the CVMA recognizes individuals who represent the very best of veterinary medicine in California. This year, the CVMA honors Deborah Calantropio-Covington, MSc, RVT VTS-LAM, RLATG with the Linda Markland Outstanding RVT of the Year in Non-Private Practice Award. This award honors registered veterinary technicians (RVT) demonstrating outstanding professional ability, including educational achievements, individual contributions, professional affiliations, and special experience that sets them apart from others.

Journey to VTS: Nicole Dickerson, RVT, VTS (ECC)

TARYN DEOILERS: What inspired you to pursue your VTS?
NICOLE DICKERSON: The first CE conference I ever attended was the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas. This was when I was still in veterinary technician school, so I was just starting out and finding out where my interests lie. I was so inspired by the veterinary technician specialists who gave lectures on complex subjects, such as the pathophysiology of diabetic ketoacidosis or special considerations for neonatal patients. I thought, “What a special thing to stand in front of your vet tech community and create enthusiasm for the rough and tumble job that we do every day.”

Bridging Biomechanics and Diagnostics to Enhance Canine Patients’ Exams, Treatment, and Recovery

Limb propulsion in quadrupeds differs significantly from the bipedal locomotion more familiar to us. Analyzing the kinematics of canine movement offers valuable insight into the mechanics of mobility, highlighting both vulnerabilities and strategies for restoring function. From a bipedal perspective, it may seem surprising that cruciate ligament injuries are more prevalent in dogs than in humans. Based solely on weight distribution, one might expect humans— bearing full body weight on just two limbs— to …

Succeeding in the CVMA CVA Program

The CVMA’s Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) program was established to provide veterinary practitioners with more qualified, professional, and productive employees in traditional entry-level positions of the veterinary support staff. In addition to being offered to individual veterinary assistants, the program is also offered to high schools, regional occupational programs, and technical colleges in partnership with veterinarians and RVTs, who serve as mentors and program advisors.

New CVMA Member Benefit: Sabadoodle’s 90-Day Money Mentorship Program

Are you a recent veterinary graduate who feels helpless when it comes to money? You didn’t choose veterinary medicine for the money. You chose this path to serve pets. But those student loans are creating constant stress. While you achieved something incredibly difficult in earning your DVM, you might feel lost when it comes to your own financial health. You’re not alone, and you’re not “bad with money.” You don’t have to choose between veterinary medicine and your financial goals!

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