Advancing Arizona’s Veterinary Community Through Connection, Education, & Leadership
Throughout the past year, the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association (AzVMA) made significant investments in member engagement, professional development, student support, and continuing education. Guided by a newly adopted strategic plan and core values, the Association focused on strengthening the veterinary workforce, expanding access to education, and fostering meaningful connections across the profession.
Events & Member Engagement
AzVMA enhanced member connectivity, modernized communication, and expanded opportunities for professional involvement through a wide range of events and engagement initiatives.
- Modernized Member Experience
- Launched virtual membership cards and an electronic membership directory with real-time updates.
- Introduced SMS text messaging and PropFuel, enabling personalized, two-way member communication.
- Implemented a paperless communications campaign to improve efficiency and sustainability.
- Added a dedicated classifieds email and expanded public-facing “Find a Veterinarian” search fields.
- Professional and Community Events
- Hosted the Annual AzVMA Open House, fostering connection among members, Allied partners, and staff.
- Participated in regional and national leadership events, including the AVMA Legislative Fly-In and the El Paso VMA Annual Banquet, strengthening interstate collaboration and advocacy.
- Engaged agricultural stakeholders at the Arizona Farm Bureau Conference to address livestock veterinary needs and rural access to care.
- Conducted career outreach at the FFA Career & Education Fair, introducing veterinary career pathways to middle school, high school, and pre-veterinary students.
- Leadership & Governance
- Adopted AzVMA’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan and Core Values, establishing a clear roadmap for growth, accountability, and member impact.
- Announced a new Call for Committees model to align volunteer expertise with focused, high-impact projects.
- Established task forces and leadership pipelines, including the Midlevel Practitioner Task Force, Power of 10 Leadership Academy, and a Mentorship Program redesign informed by national best practices.
Veterinary College Support & Student Engagement
Supporting veterinary students and strengthening relationships with Arizona’s veterinary colleges remained a core priority.
- Student Milestones & Recognition
- Participated in Midwestern University and University of Arizona white coat ceremonies, graduations, orientations, and career fairs.
- Presented AzVMA pins, customized desk awards, and student leadership honors to graduating and incoming classes.
- Celebrated strong outcomes, including high NAVLE pass rates and graduates choosing to practice in Arizona.
- Student Access & Inclusion
- Launched student conference sponsorships, enabling veterinary students to attend the AzVMA State Meeting and conferences to engage with the broader professional community.
- Assisted students with sponsored complimentary AzVMA memberships and education on the value of organized veterinary medicine.
- Pipeline Development
- Strengthened early-career engagement through scholarships, leadership development initiatives, mentorship planning, and career resources in partnership with national organizations.
Continuing Education Programs
AzVMA significantly expanded both live and on-demand continuing education opportunities, ensuring accessible, high-quality learning for veterinarians and veterinary team members at every career stage.
- Live Continuing Education
- Hosted major in-person programs, including:
- AzVMA State Meeting (109 registrants, 17 speakers, 24 exhibitors)
- Dental Extravaganza (164 registrants, 24 sponsors, 18 exhibitors)
- VHCTAz Certificate Program (18 registrants, 2 sponsors, 1 exhibitor)
- Delivered wellness-focused webinars addressing stress, resilience, and professional well-being.
- Hosted conservation-focused educational events, including a Safari Conservation Talk at Midwestern University.
- Hosted major in-person programs, including:
- Signature Educational Experiences
- Continued the African Wildlife Study Expedition program, offering immersive, RACE-approved continuing education in South Africa.
- Completed multiple safari trips with strong participation and exceptional feedback, while advancing global conservation efforts.
- Expanded future offerings with near-capacity enrollment for upcoming expeditions and long-term planning underway.
- On-Demand & Digital Learning
- Invested in learning management infrastructure to streamline CE access, tracking, and reporting.
- Built a robust on-demand webinar catalog covering clinical, financial, legal, and wellness topics.
- Began development of targeted micro-training series focused on mentorship, advocacy, team dynamics, and student-to-practice transitions.
- Automated new member orientation sessions to on-demand access.
Looking Ahead
This year marked a period of strategic growth and modernization for the AzVMA. Through expanded education, strengthened academic partnerships, and innovative engagement tools, AzVMA continues to fulfill its mission to promote excellence in veterinary medicine and support a resilient, connected veterinary community across Arizona.
The Association remains committed to evaluating outcomes, listening to members, and investing in programs that deliver lasting value—today and for the future of the profession.
We extend our sincere appreciation to our members, volunteers, partners, and sponsors whose commitment makes this progress possible. Together, we look forward to another year of advancing veterinary medicine, supporting our workforce, and strengthening the Arizona veterinary community.