GHLIT embarks on education tour

TAMPA, FLA. — The American Veterinary Medical Association's Group Health and Life Insurance Trust (GHLIT) has boarded the student circuit in an attempt to education future DVMs about their services.

Next stop: Sept.15, University of Illinois.

Jana Davidson, GHLIT director of Veterinary Student Affairs, plans to educate attendees about health insurance as well as other services available. GHLIT is tied to AVMA, the nation's largest veterinary membership organization. The estimated 18,000 veterinarians who carry GHLIT programs are all AVMA members, although future graduates can join if they are Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SCAVMA) members.

"We're trying to emphasize to students that health is extremely important to their success, and they need their physical, emotional and mental health to get through their education, life and their careers," Davidson says.

While most meetings take place at institutions with Veterinary Leadership Experience programs, SCAVMA and first-year classes also host GHLIT presentations.

According to Davidson, additional fall presentations will include:

• Sept. 17, The Ohio State University

• Sept. 22-23, SCAVMA Faculty Advisor Student Leadership Conference, AVMA headquarters in Schaumburg, Ill.

• Oct. 2, University of Minnesota

• Oct. 5, Oklahoma State University.

For those nearing graduation, GHLIT officials plan to detail specific types of insurance policies. Other meetings will feature a general overview.

"I think most people understand why they have to to have health insurance, but it's such a complicated system, it's hard to understand," Davidson says. "When it comes to disability and life insurance, these young students often aren't thinking about it. But they need to open their eyes and make smart choices. The sooner I start to educate, the better equipped they'll be for the future.