Daily Highlights

Published July 31, 2022

All times are in Eastern Daylight Time.

Events

Street clinic
8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Norris Square Park
Volunteers will provide free medical care and other services to pets of the homeless around Philadelphia. If you are interested in volunteering, stop by the registration desk for open positions. Held in partnership with The Street Dog Coalition.

AVMA Political Action Committee pre-concert happy hour
5 p.m., Roy-Pitz Barrel House
Support the AVMA PAC and get ready for the AVMA Concert at one of Philly’s top-rated brewpubs. AVMA PAC contributors and their guests will have access to an open bar and appetizers. Chat with AVMA PAC board members and the AVMA advocacy team about the role that the AVMA PAC plays in supporting the veterinary profession. RSVPs are encouraged, but walk-ups are welcome. To join the PAC, AVMA members can pay a $60 PAC contribution per family, and veterinary students can sign up for the AVMA Coffee Club at $5 per month and bring a friend for free. Join at pac.avma.org. The event is free for PAC members in Club $365 and higher for 2022.

AVMA Concert: AFTR PRTY
6:30 p.m., Franklin Music Hall
Iconic multiplatinum artists are joining forces to create the AFTR PRTY, featuring Boyz II Men’s Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman alongside 'NSYNC’s Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick, bringing fan favorite hits to Philadelphia. Admission includes transportation and local eats. Tickets are $5 for adults, and children under 18 get in for free. The concert is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.

Continuing education

“Something to Talk About: A New Era for Workplace Wellbeing”
8-8:50 a.m., room 121ABC
Merck Animal Health’s third study on veterinary well-being identified aspects of workplace climate that directly intersect with veterinary professional well-being, including a strong sense of belonging to the team and candid and open communication among team members. Jen Brandt, PhD, AVMA director of well-being and diversity initiatives, will explore elements of a new era of well-being, including use of cognitive reframing to relieve stress and change our physiological responses to stress as well as techniques for forming the bedrock of a healthy work climate. The session is sponsored by Merck Animal Health.

“Life in Space: Finding Answers Through Animal Research”
10-10:50 a.m., room 122B
Human exploration of space poses any number of challenges to the human body, and animals provide a mechanism for answering questions surrounding adaptations to microgravity. Dr. Joseph T. Bielitzki, a former chief veterinary officer for NASA, and Dr. Chad Foster with NASA will discuss animal care, housing, study design and adaptations to work in the closed ecosystem of the International Space Station.

“How Do You Do DEI: The Art of Storytelling”
1-2:50 p.m., room 103AB
The duo of the television show “Critter Fixers,” Drs. Vernard Hodges and Terrence Ferguson, along with fourth-year veterinary student Ashlea Tenorio; Roderick Gilbert, PhD, the first chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine; and Jen Brandt, PhD, director of member well-being and inclusion initiatives at the AVMA, will lead this workshop on exploring how personal stories can foster inclusion and community building.

“An 8-Year Review of Biosecurity Risks Linked to the Transport and Management of Animal Feeds”
1-1:50 p.m., room 112AB
This session by Dr. Scott A. Dee, director of applied research for Pipestone Veterinary Services, will provide an overview of research demonstrating that viable viral pathogens can be transported and transmitted through common ingredients intended for use as livestock feed. The data provides compelling evidence of vulnerabilities in the biosecurity systems set up to protect agricultural interests and outlines potential actions that may be useful in mitigating these risks.

“Let’s Start at the Very Beginning: Why Early Career Contract Negotiations Are So Important and How to Improve Your Negotiating Skills”
4-4:50 p.m., room 104AB
Dr. Rebecca Stinson-Dixon, student services representative for the AVMA Trust, and Dr. Annie Chavent, assistant director for student initiatives at the AVMA, will discuss tactics for contract negotiations and demonstrate practical phrases and techniques. Then attendees will have a chance to put their new knowledge into action with role-playing exercises.