P r e s i d e n t ’ s A d d r e s s

RE

DW

OO

D E

MP

IR

E

VE

TE

RI

NA

RY

M

ED

IC

AL

AS

SO

CI

AT

IO

N

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3

R E V M A N E W S

R E V M A B O A R D

President: Dr. Jona Jordan Coddingtownvetstaff@yahoo.com Coddingtown Veterinary Clinic (707) 546-4646

Vice-President: Dr. Michael Magne Michael.magne@vcahospitals.com VCA Animal Care Center (707) 584-4343

Treasurer: Dr. Leah Hertzel Cathospofpetaluma@sbcglobal.net Cat Hospital of Petaluma (707) 778-7859

CE Coordinator: OPEN

Member-at-Large: Dr. Lisa Alexander Lisa.alexander@vcahospitals.com VCA Animal Care Center (707) 584-4343

REVMA Executive Secretary: Tiffany Rovai Tiffany.rovai@vcahospitals.com (707) 544-9193

W H A T ’ S I N S I D E

President’s Report

Pet Loss Support Group

Classifieds

Upcoming Continuing Edu-

cation

Dear REVMA Members,

I would like to bring your attention to two different topics this month.

First, my heart-felt thanks to the planning committee that made our Sympo-

sium such a success this year including: Scott Anderson, Paul Palmatier DVM,

Lee Thorne DVM, Michelle Boucher, Kathy Yerger, Loren Poncia, and of course

Tiffany Rovai. It took a lot of work and planning to make our Symposium 2013

flow so seamlessly and look so effortless!

And a big bow to all our sponsors including: Boehringer Ingelheim, Henry Schein Animal Health

CareCredit, Road Runner Pharmacy, ELANCO, Merck Animal Health, P&G Pet Care-Iams & Eukanuba,

VISC - Veterinary Insurance Services Company, Ceva Animal Health, MWI Veterinary Supply, Eye Care

for Animals, IDEXX, Animal Solutions Pharmacy, Oncura Partners, Zoetis, Merial, Petcare Veterinary

Hospital, VCA Animal Care Center, and Antech. A big thank you to all – you made it happen, and

happen with professionalism & style!

Secondly, I would like to say something about a very complex subject – medical ethics and refer-

rals. As veterinary medicine evolves from the James Herriot style to the Corporate Medicine age, we

need to remember that when everything is said and done we are all here for the patient and the cli-

ent. If we get distracted from that primary purpose in pursuit of a prettier bottom line then we will

have seriously lost our way.

This came to my attention because recently a veterinarian told me that his hospital did not offer a

specific service and was not looking to add it – in spite of the fact that their website suggests that

they do offer it. When I asked him what he did for clients who came to his practice looking for that

service he told me that he recommended they go to one of two practices – the first was a half hour

drive that occasionally offered the service, the second an hour and a half drive away. When I asked

him why he didn’t just refer them to one of several veterinarians much closer who offer the service he

informed me that he didn’t refer to anyone outside of his corporation unless a client first indicated

that they would not drive to the more distant option and asked him for somewhere else. Then, reluc-

tantly, he would admit that that service was available at several locations 10 to 15 minutes away.

I understand that we all need to make a living, but we became health care providers in the first

place in order to help relieve pain and suffering. There is more than enough business to go around.

We don’t need to compete with each other we just need to be good at what we do. I feel strongly that

the ethical thing to do is to fully inform clients about where they can go to get the service they need

regardless of whether it lines our personal pockets. I refer clients to nearby hospitals on a regular

basis if that is what is best for the client and patient. If we have done a good job taking care of them

in the past, they will come back to us. If they think that we care more about money than about them

or their pets nothing we can do or say will keep them. Remember what they told us in vet school:

“They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

So have a good holiday season everyone, and stay focused on what’s really important in life.

Friends, family, community, kindness, forgiveness, and love in all its forms – large and small, two

legged and four, winged or scaled, smooth or fuzzy. We are one.

Sincerely,

Jona Sun Jordan D.V.M.

Classifieds Veterinarian: Associate with ownership interest eagerly sought by Santa Rosa Veterinary Hospital. We are AAHA accredited—caring for dogs, cats, birds and

exotics. Excellent, friendly staff. Terrific clientele. Email Joel Blumberg, D.V.M. cliffave@gmail.com

Veterinarian: Seeking part time DVM for small animal hospital in Pt. Reyes Station. Well equipped with digital dental radiology, Catalyst/Lasercyte in house

lab and experienced support staff. Great community adjacent to pristine protected National Seashore, Practice quality medicine in a unique rural setting.

Must be comfortable with routine surgeries and have excellent client service skills. Stress free scenic commute. Contact Mary Whitney, DVM 415-663-1533,

email resume to docwhitney@att.net

Veterinarian: Wanted FT/PT veterinarian for a small practice in Healdsburg. Practice has recently been remodeled, minimum of 3 years experience, need to

be able to work solo at times. Open 4 1/2 days per week with no after hour emergencies. Contact Lisa or Dr. McCrystle at 707-433-5539 or at healds-

burgvet@gmail.com.

RELIEF VETERINARIANS

Dr. Mark Willett is available for relief work: small animals and exotics. 530-304-8249

Dr. Amanda Landers is available for relief work, small animals and pocket pets. 707-363-0998 or pogenpal@yahoo.com.

Dr. Steve Diehl is available for small animal relief work. 707-508-6215 or stevediehl@mac.com

Dr. Brian Baumgard is available for small animal relief. 805-558-9740

Dr. Michael Salkin (UCD 1972) is available for relief work: small animals, birds, pocket pets 707-292-9156.

Full time/Part time/Relief: Dr. Tejinder Nagra is available for small animal general practice (dogs and cats only). I cover 75-mile radius around Santa

Rosa and have been doing this since 2001. Contact 707-696-6203 or email tejinder.nagra@sbcglobal.net

Diana K. Phillips, DVM—Available for relief work or part time 1-2 days a week. Years of experience in Marin and Sonoma County. Contact me at

DKPDVM@mac.com or 415-328-7707.

Dr. Jennifer Kong is available for small animal relief. 707-546-8634 or jenkong@comcast.net

Kerry Levin, DVM, CVA (acup) now available for relief work in North Bay Area. Practice owner for 25 years and prior relief vet experience. General small

animal, mixed and acupuncture/integrative medicine. 707-972-5465 or drkerrylevin@comcast.net

Dr. Anne Stark is available for small animal relief work at 707-775-5462 or acdogdoc@gmail.com

Dr. Penny Elliott is available for small animal relief or part time work. Please contact me at 707-576-7824 or jpelliott84@comcast.net. Resume and

references on request.

Experienced veterinarian (UCD ‘97) seeking position providing competent, compassionate care in Marin/Sonoma counties. Full-time, part-time or relief.

Resume and letters of recommendation available. Please contact Heather Kriensky, DVM at 707-540-1373 or hkriensky@gmail.com.

Dr. Darcy Atterbury (MN ‘78) is available for small animal relief. Competent, compassionate care while you’re away. Call 707-433-0315

RELIEF TECHNICIANS

Marilyn Engstrom is available for relief work: experienced veterinary technician 707-484-3192

P.O. Box 2330

Rohnert Park, CA 94927

(707) 544-9193

R E V M A

REVMA Board Meetings: Wednesday, November 13th at 12:00pm to REVMA at (707) 544-9193 if at-

tending.

REVMA Pet Loss Support Group: For guardians

who have experiences the loss of all types of pets

and for those who are anticipating the loss of their

pet. Meetings are for families, singles, couples, chil-

dren and adults. Drop-in, no fee group meetings

are held every Tuesday from 7:15PM—8:15PM at

the Brookdale lodge at Paulin Creek, 2375 Range

Avenue, Santa Rosa (excluding holidays). Meetings

are held in the Community room and are facilitated

by Group Leader, Jane Sorensen, RN, MFT

Updated annual newsletter advertising rates for

members: Quarter page—$350;

Half page—$500; Full page—$600

contact (707) 544-9193 to place ads.

REVMA Membership Meetings: Our regular mem-bership meetings are held on the third Thursday of the

month, except for the October and December meet-

ings. Look for our informational faxes on all of these

meetings.

Social—6:30 PM. Lecture and dinner—7:00 PM. Dinner

and CE are included with your full REVMA membership.

Others are welcome at $50 for technicians and $55 for vet-

erinarians. RSVP by the Thursday prior to the meeting by

calling (707) 544-9193.

November 21, 2013—Medical Management of

Acute Liver Failure by Dr. Sam Tucker sponsored

by Petcare

December—No Meeting—Happy Holidays!

January 16, 2014—Annual Social