AVMA House of Delegates to address foreign accreditation, globalization at association's annual convention Schaumburg, IL — The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House of Delegates (HOD) will meet July 14-15 in St. Louis, Mo., to consider several resolutions and amendments, including some that focus on the role the association plays internationally.
One of the resolutions, Resolution 5, deals with the accreditation of foreign veterinary schools. Also on the HOD's agenda is Resolution 6, which calls for a review of the association's global initiatives.
"As veterinary communities around the world continue to call on the AVMA for leadership, it's important for our governing bodies to review the AVMA's policies and come to an agreement on how we should proceed," explains Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the AVMA. "To this end, HOD members will discuss and decide if there is a need to create task forces to analyze the issues of globalization and foreign accreditation."
Starting in the 1940s, the AVMA Council on Education (COE) has accredited 16 foreign schools, including five in Canada. The resolution notes that 11 of the 16 accredited schools have been accredited since 1998. This year, the AVMA-COE accredited National Autonomous University of Mexico School of Veterinary Medicine in Mexico City and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies.
The HOD also will be voting on important internal matters, such as the relationship between the HOD and the AVMA Executive Board, the association's two governing bodies. The HOD will consider Bylaws Amendment 11, which would require the Executive Board to send policy changes that relate to veterinary medicine to the HOD for its consideration. In addition, Resolution 8, recommends the creation of a task force to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the role of the House of Delegates.
The AVMA Annual Convention is being held at America's Center in downtown St. Louis from July 16-19. For more information, please visit www.avma.org, or www.avmaconvention.org.
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The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 81,500 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. The year 2011 is being celebrated by veterinarians around the world as Vet2011, the 250th anniversary of the birth of veterinary medicine and education.
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