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President's Message
The 2011 President’s Review The last 12 months have been hectic. After a stimulating and exciting WSAVA Congress in Geneva, we had to hit the road running and what a roller-coaster ride it has been the last year. The dedication of the Swiss team chaired by Chris Amberger made the Geneva Congress a huge hit. They did truly a stellar job and had a very positive result. The social and scientific programs were a success and the enquiries (both digitally and written this time, which lead to a record number of them) were extremely positive. Many accolades for the Swiss, they showed us once again that they deliver what they promise, and they have truly outperformed their expectations. The Swiss shared their success with the WSAVA and donated to the new WSAVA Foundation a 30,000 Swiss francs! An Executive Board does not run without its members. Theodore Roosevelt said: Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. One thing is for sure, my fellow board members work hard for a goal that is improving veterinary care globally. David’s clear view on professionalizing the Association has turned the WSAVA 180 degrees and while the ship was turning, he turned on the machinery to work harder and steam ahead in full force. This has resulted in some great achievements, ones that we build on as we speak. As past-president he is always available, has a careful listening ear and whispers the right thing at the right moment. His presidency was not easy, nor will be mine, he said. The WSAVA CE program continues to go from strength to strength as David mentioned last year. He has been a propelling force for this pillar of the WSAVA and we need to start thinking about his replacement, and it won’t be easy to find someone with his stature. The program could not take place without the dedicated local and the regional organizers, Luis Tello in South America, Roger Clarke in Asia, Lawson Cairns in Africa and Julian Wells in Eastern Europe. As well as our long term sponsors, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Bayer Animal Health and Intervet-SP. Additionally, we are grateful to the associations who have all donated funding to support this venture. Education is the key to global success. The Honorary Secretary is a tough job because you need to be able to juggle lots of things at the same time. Many accolades have already been bestowed on Walt. He stays cool under the pressure, reorganizing everything that needs more organization and with an E-type president that means a lot. His work is essential for me to function the way I do and I could not do it without him. The Ingwersen’ team is a golden one and their dedication and workmanship is exemplary for all of us. Walt is also heading the Global Pain Council, a multicompany-sponsored initiative that will tackle pain management on a global scale. Not many organisations have a true Beach-boy as president elect. Peter ‘California’ Ihrke has swept the rug clean in regard with our committees and projects and has gotten a couple extra tasks in the mean time. The renal SSG is well underway and Peter’s eloquence and constant pressure keeps them aware of the deliverables and end points. It is the crown jewel of our organization and we need to nurture and grow it. We are looking forward to the first output of the committee. The GI and liver groups are dormant at the moment and a Pathology initiative led to a major publication in the beginning of January with the WSAVA label on top. Lastly, Peter is revamping welfare and wellness with Prof. Moyer at its lead, who will preside this important committee from now on. But this is not all, the One Health Committee under the leadership of Prof Michael Day, had their inaugural meeting at NAVC and WSAVA was awarded observer status at OIE during the OIE Assembly meeting in Paris. This is truly a goal that we have worked for the last 2 years. The One Health team will meet at CDC in Atlanta at the end of this year and again at BSAVA. Clayton McKay chairs our V5 committee. The global nutritional guidelines have been developed and were published as a free manuscript in our Journal of Small Animal Practice. The Nutrition Consortium was initiated and had their first meeting in Denver this year. This has clearly been a committee that has delivered far beyond expectations. Veronica had the lead in the PR and marketing process, has shown us the way to market and brand ourselves and this all has resulted in a much better visualization of the WSAVA in general. We will miss her as she steps down as 7th BM during the WSAVA2011 Assembly meeting. Thank you Veronica for your insight and enthusiasm. If your read the vet news you will obviously have seen the myriad of press releases that came out from our WSAVA press office. Our own PR officer, Rebecca George, is doing a stellar job, in kicking out the news and reaching many new news outlets. We had releases on the Nutritional guidelines, the awards, the OIE observer status, the Foundation, etc. etc. Last but not least, the new kid on the block is Colin Burrows. A veteran in the congress world and a figure that everybody knows and admires. Colin brings to the WSAVA a world of knowledge and we are lucky to have him on board. Colin was voted on during an active voting process and as incoming Vice-President will focus on our strategic plan. One of the most difficult decisions the Assembly has made in the last few years was the acceptance of a central PCO. Kenes is our company now and we have had many a meeting where we discussed strategy, the world congress 2014, the SOP, the bidding process, etc. David and I will function as liaisons to Kenes and the LOC and the CSC with Nicola at the wheel have been strategizing with us. A new SOP was developed, a new contract signed and a new bidding process was implemented. We are all looking forward to Capetown in 2014. The Scientific Advisory Committee, under the chairmanship of Michael Day has performed as can be expected from a leader in the academic world. The committee is formed entirely of internationally renowned academicians and continues to advice on congress programs, state of the art lectures, the prestigious WSAVA Awards and oversees the scientific integrity of standardization project applications. Our gratitude is enormous. Sponsoring our ventures is essential and many companies work together with us to strengthen companion animal veterinary medicine in the world. We are very grateful to all these companies. Janet Donlin, a dear friend of mine has taken over the role from Hein Meyer as direct liaison from Hills Pet Nutrition. Hills has been a key partner for the WSAVA and I thank both Hein and Janet from the bottom of my heart for their dedication and insight to the profession. ‘WSAVA and Hill’s – continue to work together towards better veterinary care world-wide’. It takes too much time to write down all the places I visited this year. I realize how lucky I am and although the time spent at these really interesting sites are short and it seems like I sit in airplanes more than I work on the ground, the hospitality and friendship that I receive is heartwarming and keeps me going year round. There are still more hurdles to take and more highlights to come. The weather is unpredictable and the seas are rough. The ship is steady however and sailing towards a greater good for all of us. I am proud to be on the place I am today and wish to thank my team for all the work they have done. Last but not least, WSAVA is run by a group of enthusiastic volunteers and can always use new ones. Let us know if you'd be interested in volunteering on one of the many WSAVA committees, projects, and initiatives. Jolle Kirpensteijn |
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Message from WSAVA President Jolle Kirpensteijn