Pet Healthcare Summit takes on recruitment, supply of DVMs

Portland - 9/5/2007 - More than 140 leaders, representing many of the diverse disciplines in the veterinary market, hope to address the perceived and growing shortage of veterinarians in the United States.

The goal of the 2007 Pet Healthcare Industry Summit, sponsored by Banfield, The Pet Hospital, was to explore changing market dynamics and offer solutions to long-term problems including the recruitment, training and retention of a flat work force.

The two-day meeting drew association leaders, academicians and leaders of many of the top animal-health firms.

Banfield Chairman Scott Campbell, DVM, reports the meeting was called to explore changes in market dynamics and identify tangible areas in which the profession can work toward meeting goals and challenges of tomorrow.

Topping the agenda was this year's release of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges' (AAVMC) Foresight Report. This broad-based industry report sought to "identify pathways which will be critical for veterinary medicine in the next 25 years."

Recruitment and retention of veterinarians to address a shortage in a diverse array of disciplines, including companion-animal medicine, fueled much of the discussion.

For a detailed report, see the September issue of DVM Newsmagazine.