President's Column: I resolve … Getting involved in 2025

As we reach the end of another year and welcome in 2025, many of us will reflect on the past while also looking to the future.

We’ll take stock of where we were in 2024; we’ll remember the good times with a smile, the tough times with a pause and perhaps a deep breath. We’ll recall both our successes and our struggles, hoping to take inspiration from both as we turn the page and start anew.

Do you make resolutions?

If you’re like me, you might also think about your New Year’s resolutions. Like many, I try to set goals for myself for the upcoming year. And, again like many, I sometimes stumble. 

But when it comes to my resolve to support organized veterinary medicine and the AVMA, I always keep my stride.

From donating to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation and the AVMA Political Action Committee, to advocating on behalf of the AVMA on issues important to how we practice medicine, I am committed to helping strengthen this profession—and those of us who work in it.

So, as you consider resolutions for 2025, I ask you to join me in our collective efforts to best care for animals by protecting, promoting, and advancing veterinarians, our veterinary health care teams, the AVMA, the profession, and organized veterinary medicine.

Here are just a few things you can resolve to do: 

• Support the American Veterinary Medical Foundation in providing charitable resources like disaster relief for those who need it most, and advancing the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal and human health.
• Join AVMA’s advocacy work to help shape public policy that advances veterinary medicine. Join the AVMA Congressional Advocacy Network, which empowers your knowledge about effective advocacy and opportunities to speak up on decisions that impact our profession. Support the AVMA Political Action Committee to help us build and maintain relationships with lawmakers, amplifying the profession's voice on Capitol Hill.
• Volunteer your time and expertise to help power AVMA’s work on behalf of colleagues and the veterinary profession. Committed AVMA members who serve on councils, committees, task forces, and in the House of Delegates and Board of Directors are fundamental to the AVMA’s success—because the AVMA is a member-driven organization, guided by volunteer leaders.
• Nominate someone who’s making a difference in veterinary medicine for an AVMA Excellence Award. It’s a meaningful way to express your gratitude to someone who has greatly influenced your veterinary career or made a profound difference in the lives of animals and people.

As veterinarians, we and our teams work hard each day to make a positive impact on the lives of animals and people, in our communities, and in public health. 

The AVMA thanks you for all the good work you do, and we wish you a happy and healthy 2025! Let’s resolve to work together to help make it the best year yet.