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Plugged in and connected

Published on September 02, 2020
information-circle This article is more than 3 years old

This year, the AVMA’s annual gathering took place fully online for the first time ever because of the COVID-19 pandemic. From Aug. 20-22, the AVMA Virtual Convention 2020 offered over 150 hours of continuing education, including sessions focused on cannabis and the impact of the pandemic; 40 virtual exhibitors; and a Power Up 5K walk-run and charity fundraiser. (Photos by Malinda Larkin and John Funteas).

Tamu Curtis
Dr. Tierra Price (top right), Michael Wilson (top left), and Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn (bottom)
Lip sync battle
Patrice Washington
Karamo Brown
The RiverTown Band
76 Degrees West
The Royals
The Royals
Dr. Douglas Kratt
Anthony Fauci, MD
Matthew J. Salois, PhD (left) and Adam Grant, PhD (right)
Antimicrobial report presentation slide
Convention sponsors
AVMA Virtual Convention 2020

I’ll drink to that!

Tamu Curtis with Liberate Your Palate teaches attendees how to make an AVMA Mule to the Music and a Live Life, I Love Vets-arita during Live Life, Love All on Aug. 19. Now in its third year, the event celebrates diversity within the profession.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Big announcement

Dr. Tierra Price, founder of the BlackDVM Network, hosts Live Life, Love All while Michael Wilson, director of the AVMA Convention and Meeting Planning Division, serves as DJ. They were joined by Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn, chief professional veterinary officer in the U.S. for Hill’s Pet Nutrition, who announced that his company was starting a scholarship endowment with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation for veterinary students at Tuskegee University.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Lip sync battle

Four participants performed for the lip sync competition during Live Life, Love All: Dr. Rosemary LoGiudice of Yorkville, Illinois, who sang “Dedicated to the One I Love” by the Mamas and the Papas; Jennifer Trojahn and the Viticus Group out of Las Vegas, who sang “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake; Rebecca Rose of Littleton, Colorado, who sang “If You Get There Before I Do” by Collin Raye; and Dr. Jessica Koppien-Fox of Marshall, Minnesota, who sang “Fading Life a Flower” by Roxette. Dr. Koppien-Fox won the competition and $250 while the runners up received $125 each.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Self-care isn’t selfish

Nearly 2,500 attendees tuned in live to watch Patrice Washington speak on Aug. 20 about how putting yourself first—whether that means setting boundaries or taking a break—is necessary to become truly successful. “This profession needs you and the magic only you have. You have got to take care of yourself, your relationships, and your space so you can do the work you were called to do,” said Washington, who hosts the “Redefining Wealth” podcast.

Photo credit: Photo by John Funteas

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Ladies first

Karamo Brown, who is the culture expert on Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” joins Day One keynote speaker Patrice C. Washington for a conversation on how to use your uniqueness to create success. He later praised women, saying he always consults the women in his life before making a big decision and expressing a desire to see more women in positions of power.

Photo credit: Photo by John Funteas

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Let’s battle it out

The RiverTown Band opened the AVMA Battle of the Bands II on Aug. 21, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, with a cover of Earth, Wind, and Fire’s “September” and wrapped up with “Juice” by Lizzo.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Time for the remix

76 Degrees West, last year’s winner of the AVMA Battle of the Bands, started its set with “Dancin in the Streets” by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas and finished with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

A royal affair

The Royals went on last, beginning their performance with “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars and completing it with “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Winner’s circle

The Royals celebrate winning the battle of the bands and earning the title of Top Dog by playing “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled. The performances can be viewed through December by those who registered on the convention’s online platform.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Hello, Mr. President

Dr. Douglas Kratt, 2020-21 AVMA president, hosts the closing session on Aug. 22. Two days earlier, he discussed the current state of diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine and presented ideas on the future of the profession.

Photo credit: Photo by John Funteas

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Top disease expert talks

Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, delivers a special message to all attendees on the final day of the convention. The meeting was one of only two event invitations he accepted that month among hundreds of requests.

Photo credit: Photo by John Funteas

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Teamwork makes the dream work

Matthew J. Salois, PhD, director of the AVMA Veterinary Economics Division, interviews Adam Grant, PhD, the bestselling author and psychology professor at University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, on Aug. 22 during the closing session. Dr. Grant talked about how to build resilience in our teams and ourselves.

Photo credit: Photo by John Funteas

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Antimicrobial report

Dr. Paul J. Plummer, who led the AVMA Committee on Antimicrobials’ development of the report “Antimicrobial Resistant Pathogens Affecting Animal Health in the United States” gave a presentation on Aug. 22 focusing on the underlying rationale for the report and how it was developed and provided some practical insights into how the report impacts private practitioners.

Photo credit: Photo by John Funteas

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Sponsor spotlight

The AVMA Virtual Convention 2020 exhibit hall saw over 19,000 visits. The four vendors that were the biggest draws were Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and Merck Animal Health.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

All’s well that ends well

At the end of the three-day convention, nearly 4,100 attendees had registered, including 1,200 individuals posting over 12,500 messages in session and event chat forums, and the convention’s online platform had seen 250,000 page views.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Download high resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.

Tamu Curtis

Tamu Curtis with Liberate Your Palate teaches attendees how to make an AVMA Mule to the Music and a Live Life, I Love Vets-arita during Live Life, Love All on Aug. 19. Now in its third year, the event celebrates diversity within the profession.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Slide 1 of 15

Dr. Tierra Price (top right), Michael Wilson (top left), and Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn (bottom)

Dr. Tierra Price, founder of the BlackDVM Network, hosts Live Life, Love All while Michael Wilson, director of the AVMA Convention and Meeting Planning Division, serves as DJ. They were joined by Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn, chief professional veterinary officer in the U.S. for Hill’s Pet Nutrition, who announced that his company was starting a scholarship endowment with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation for veterinary students at Tuskegee University.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Slide 2 of 15

Lip sync battle

Four participants performed for the lip sync competition during Live Life, Love All: Dr. Rosemary LoGiudice of Yorkville, Illinois, who sang “Dedicated to the One I Love” by the Mamas and the Papas; Jennifer Trojahn and the Viticus Group out of Las Vegas, who sang “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake; Rebecca Rose of Littleton, Colorado, who sang “If You Get There Before I Do” by Collin Raye; and Dr. Jessica Koppien-Fox of Marshall, Minnesota, who sang “Fading Life a Flower” by Roxette. Dr. Koppien-Fox won the competition and $250 while the runners up received $125 each.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Slide 3 of 15

Patrice Washington

Nearly 2,500 attendees tuned in live to watch Patrice Washington speak on Aug. 20 about how putting yourself first—whether that means setting boundaries or taking a break—is necessary to become truly successful. “This profession needs you and the magic only you have. You have got to take care of yourself, your relationships, and your space so you can do the work you were called to do,” said Washington, who hosts the “Redefining Wealth” podcast.

Photo credit: Photo by John Funteas

Slide 4 of 15

Karamo Brown

Karamo Brown, who is the culture expert on Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” joins Day One keynote speaker Patrice C. Washington for a conversation on how to use your uniqueness to create success. He later praised women, saying he always consults the women in his life before making a big decision and expressing a desire to see more women in positions of power.

Photo credit: Photo by John Funteas

Slide 5 of 15

The RiverTown Band

The RiverTown Band opened the AVMA Battle of the Bands II on Aug. 21, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, with a cover of Earth, Wind, and Fire’s “September” and wrapped up with “Juice” by Lizzo.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Slide 6 of 15

76 Degrees West

76 Degrees West, last year’s winner of the AVMA Battle of the Bands, started its set with “Dancin in the Streets” by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas and finished with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Slide 7 of 15

The Royals

The Royals went on last, beginning their performance with “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars and completing it with “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Slide 8 of 15

The Royals

The Royals celebrate winning the battle of the bands and earning the title of Top Dog by playing “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled. The performances can be viewed through December by those who registered on the convention’s online platform.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Slide 9 of 15

Dr. Douglas Kratt

Dr. Douglas Kratt, 2020-21 AVMA president, hosts the closing session on Aug. 22. Two days earlier, he discussed the current state of diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine and presented ideas on the future of the profession.

Photo credit: Photo by John Funteas

Slide 10 of 15

Anthony Fauci, MD

Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, delivers a special message to all attendees on the final day of the convention. The meeting was one of only two event invitations he accepted that month among hundreds of requests.

Photo credit: Photo by John Funteas

Slide 11 of 15

Matthew J. Salois, PhD (left) and Adam Grant, PhD (right)

Matthew J. Salois, PhD, director of the AVMA Veterinary Economics Division, interviews Adam Grant, PhD, the bestselling author and psychology professor at University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, on Aug. 22 during the closing session. Dr. Grant talked about how to build resilience in our teams and ourselves.

Photo credit: Photo by John Funteas

Slide 12 of 15

Antimicrobial report presentation slide

Dr. Paul J. Plummer, who led the AVMA Committee on Antimicrobials’ development of the report “Antimicrobial Resistant Pathogens Affecting Animal Health in the United States” gave a presentation on Aug. 22 focusing on the underlying rationale for the report and how it was developed and provided some practical insights into how the report impacts private practitioners.

Photo credit: Photo by John Funteas

Slide 13 of 15

Convention sponsors

The AVMA Virtual Convention 2020 exhibit hall saw over 19,000 visits. The four vendors that were the biggest draws were Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and Merck Animal Health.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Slide 14 of 15

AVMA Virtual Convention 2020

At the end of the three-day convention, nearly 4,100 attendees had registered, including 1,200 individuals posting over 12,500 messages in session and event chat forums, and the convention’s online platform had seen 250,000 page views.

Photo credit: Photo by Malinda Larkin

Slide 15 of 15

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