May 01, 2021

The AVMA started a new group for veterinary faculty members, regardless of AVMA member status, on its AVMA Connections platform in February. The AVMA Online Educator Community is a space for faculty members to interact, access resources, contribute to discussion topics, and communicate directly with the AVMA.

Dr. Sandra Faeh, AVMA vice president, said that as she met with faculty members at various veterinary colleges this past year, the common thread was that they wanted a better way to communicate with each other.

“Communication is always key,” Dr. Faeh said. “Some faculty are not veterinarians or AVMA members, and they have a huge influence on students. We want to be inclusive to all faculty members, to help them, educate them, to show them AVMA resources, and to also see what more we can do for them.”

Dr. Nicki Wise, an associate professor at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, is a facilitator for the online community, along with several other faculty members from other veterinary colleges. The facilitators will keep the conversations going and post discussion topics.

“I see it as a really awesome platform,” Dr. Wise said. “It’s a way for faculty members at institutions to connect over different topics and discuss interesting information.”

Dr. Wise said the online community is already a great networking resource.

“If you are facing a challenge with your curriculum or your students, it is a simple way to immediately connect to faculty and administrators at tons of universities,” she said.

Dr. Faeh added that there is a plan to post a series of presentations during the summer about various topics that pertain specifically to veterinary faculty members.

“We’re focused on them and what they need to help (them),” Dr. Faeh said. “They’re so important. Students are our future, and they affect students’ lives.”

Veterinary faculty members interested in joining the AVMA Online Educator Community can sign up. Anyone who has ideas for the group can reach out to Dr. Faeh at s [dot] faehbutlergmail [dot] com.