AVMA members and their spouses attending the AVMA Annual Convention can take advantage of free health screenings through the Wellness Center, on the sixth floor in the east lobby of the convention center.

The AVMA Group Health and Life Insurance Trust sponsors the Wellness Center as an extension of its commitment to protecting the health of AVMA members by providing wellness benefits as part of its standard medical coverage (deductible and coinsurance may apply on some plans). The free screenings are convenient for members and also may help lower future medical costs.

"We understand that veterinarians are very busy, both in their practices and personal lives, and that it takes time to have annual examinations. As veterinarians, we encourage annual physicals for the pets we serve, and we need to follow through with that in our own lives," said Dr. Dwight D. King, a GHLIT trustee. "If you're attending the AVMA convention and you don't have the tests done for free at the Wellness Center, you're missing a real opportunity."

Wellness Center screenings may include serum biochemical analyses, lipid and hemoglobin tests, and prostate-specific antigen tests. The screenings are a convenient way for AVMA members attending the convention to monitor previously diagnosed chronic conditions. The screenings also can identify indicators of serious—even life-threatening—conditions such as prostate cancer, diabetes, and cardiac disease.

The Wellness Center provides rabies-titer testing for a nominal fee of $35 (cash or check payment only), an affordable way for veterinarians to adhere to recommendations to undergo testing at least every two years to ensure continuity of an immune response.

Results of all testing done at the Wellness Center are mailed to participants, along with a personalized letter recommending any appropriate medical follow-up. Individuals are encouraged to share the information with their personal physician during their annual wellness visit, especially if any results are outside reference ranges.