New year, new partnerships for AVMA groups

The coming year will bring two key changes to the AVMA family, according to statements made during AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference on Jan. 5.

Unified trust for AVMA LIFE and AVMA PLIT

AVMA LIFE and AVMA PLIT will be joining forces under a single umbrella trust, says an association release. Both AVMA LIFE, which provides health, medical and life insurance, and AVMA PLIT, which offers professional and liability insurance, have been available to AVMA members for over 60 years, and both entities have been (and will continue to be) involved in the formation of the united entity. 

According to the release, the goal of the restructure is to better provide for the evolving needs of veterinarians. New products, services and bundling options under the umbrella trust are being explored.

“‘Veterinarians serving veterinarians' is more than a tagline,” says AVMA PLIT CEO Andrew Clark, DVM, MBA, in the release. “We have always been, and always will be, absolutely member focused. We are adapting to match the changing needs of AVMA members and how they do business. The umbrella trust is an example of how unifying the efforts of our veterinary family is a step in our evolution to the next level of heightened member focus.”

VMAE partnership

As of Jan. 1, the AVMA has been providing association management services to the Veterinary Medical Association Executives (VMAE), which was officially welcomed by AVMA executive vice president and CEO Janet Donlin, DVM, at the AVMA leadership conference, according to a second association release.

“Executives of state and allied associations contribute a tremendous depth of perspective and understanding of the issues facing our profession,” says AVMA president Michael Topper, DVM, PhD, DACVP, in the release. “This liaison is one more way we can work together to protect, promote and advocate for the interests of the entire veterinary profession.”

As CEO of VMAE, Ralph Johnson is tasked with overseeing the AVMA's association management services. And as the newly appointed director of special projects for the AVMA, Johnson is also responsible for helping the association continue to develop and deliver products and services to AVMA members.

Johnson sees the collaboration as a win for both associations.

“This arrangement strengthens VMAE's ability to help VMA executives create thriving organizations and provide effective leadership within the veterinary profession,” Johnson says in the release. “We'll all be rowing in the same direction-with gusto!”