The AVMA PLIT has several news items to report. In June, Dr. Nina Mouledous joined the PLIT as a trust representative. Since 1989 and before joining the PLIT, Dr. Mouledous was the owner and sole practitioner of Equine Veterinary Services Ltd., a mobile clinic that specialized in Thoroughbred racehorses at Hawthorne Race Course in Chicago and Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Ill. Dr. Mouledous is a 1985 graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine.

July will mark the term expiration for Dr. J. Thomas Vaughan as a PLIT trustee. Dr. Vaughan has served as a trustee since 1996 and held the position of chair from 2001 through 2003. Dr. John Ehrhardt of McNabb, Ill., is the newly appointed PLIT trustee.

In other news, the PLIT approved a collaborative agreement with the Institute for Healthcare Communications that will provide educational information and presentations related to PLIT objectives. Some of the goals of the risk management and communications program are to improve client compliance and satisfaction as well as to reduce the likelihood of a malpractice suit or licensing board complaint.

The PLIT-sponsored insurance carrier, The Hartford, now offers XactPAY Web, a patent-pending program for billing workers' compensation premiums in integration with QuickBooks payroll software. This free service automates the calculation and payment of workers' compensation premiums when payroll is run, helping save time and reducing costly mistakes.

Finally, veterinarians and practice managers have the opportunity to meet with the PLIT business insurance team for an evaluation of the coverage of their insurance packages, including property and general liability insurance and workers' compensation policies. The PLIT also offers flood insurance, employment practices liability insurance, personal insurance, and more. Those who receive an evaluation will be entered to win a large stuffed donkey—the PLIT mascot—or an iPod Shuffle. Visit booth 705 to learn more.