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As we reflect on 2024, I’m proud to share the progress we’ve made together. This year, the ���������� expanded educational offerings, advanced diversity and inclusion initiatives, and deepened our commitment to the veterinary community. 

These achievements are a testament to the dedication of our Diplomates, residents, partners, staff and volunteers, all of whom continue to shape the future of veterinary specialty medicine. 

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the continued opportunities for innovation and collaboration as we strive to improve animal care and support those who provide it.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the ����������’s mission. 

Sincerely, 

Sarah Gillings, DVM, MS, D���������� (Oncology) 
���������� President

In 2024, the ���������� continued to strengthen its educational offerings, providing progressive resources and expanding access to high-quality continuing education (CE) for our members. From in-person courses to virtual learning opportunities, we ensured that our members had the tools and support they needed to advance their skills and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving field of veterinary specialty medicine.

Education Programming
 

In 2024, the ���������� transitioned over 6,200 users to a new and improved Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring learners have:

• Access to a new course catalog to streamline finding the right course, registering and gaining immediate access to begin learning.
• The ability to simplify how to find CE and filter relevant content by specialty, audience type, duration and more.

The 2024 Forum brought together over 170 exhibitors and nearly 50 sponsors, generating almost 2 million dollars in revenue to support the event.

The ���������� remains at the forefront of clinical advancements, supporting new fellowship programs and driving innovations in veterinary practice. In 2024, we continued to champion specialized education and training, ensuring that ���������� Diplomates and residents had access to the resources needed to excel in their fields. Our focus on clinical excellence is reflected in the growing number of fellows and the ongoing development of our examination and certification processes.

Fellowships
 

The following programs applied in the first cycle and were accepted:

• Colorado State University: Interventional Cardiology (Program Director: Brian Scansen, DVM, MS, D���������� (Cardiology))
• UC Davis: Small Animal Clinical Infectious Disease (Program Director: Jane Sykes, BVSc (Hons), PhD, MBA, MPH, D���������� (SAIM))
• University of Florida: Veterinary Diabetes (Program Director: Chen Gilor, DVM, PhD, D���������� (SAIM))

Two individuals were approved and are now the first official ���������� Fellows (both individuals had completed programs that were approved in 2024: one in Interventional Cardiology and one in Veterinary Diabetes).

Residency Training Program (RTP) Oversight
 

 ���������� has taken a leadership role in promoting the quality of veterinary specialty education by successfully advocating for the AVMA to convene a meeting on third-party oversight of training programs. As the largest organization in this space, ���������� recognizes its responsibility to lead efforts that ensure high standards in residency training.
 

We are also taking steps to ensure quality in our own programs by implementing a series of activities developed by the Residency Training Program (RTP) Oversight Taskforce. Ultimately, the data derived from this program will result in a dashboard that illustrates program quality metrics. This quantifiable approach will provide clear, actionable insights into program performance, further demonstrating ����������’s leadership and our desire to help all stakeholders have an optimal residency experience.
 

Building on the work for the RTP-Oversight Taskforce, the Training Optimization Taskforce (TOTF) was established to guide a college-wide review of program requirements. This was the first time that all specialties have come together and viewed requirements as a collective body, which allows for a holistic review of college-wide program requirements and possible alignment among specialties.

Building a strong, engaged community is at the heart of everything we do at the ����������. In 2024, we saw significant growth in our membership engagement, fostering deeper connections among Diplomates, Candidates, and residents. By celebrating member achievements and expanding networking opportunities, we are creating a vibrant, supportive community that advances the profession as a whole. Volunteerism played a vital role, with dedicated members contributing their time and expertise to key initiatives, events, and committees. Additionally, our strategic partnerships with industry leaders have helped us expand educational opportunities, strengthen professional connections, and support research efforts, furthering ����������’s mission to advance veterinary specialty medicine.

Members in the News

Over the past year, the Members in the News campaign celebrated the remarkable achievements of ���������� Diplomates, sharing 24 member accomplishments, including interview spotlights and career milestones. This initiative fostered member-to-member connections and showcased the profound contributions of our Diplomates to veterinary medicine.
 

As the ����������'s leading social media campaign of the year, it drove significant engagement across platforms, amplifying the expertise and impact of specialty medicine within the veterinary community.

 

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New Diplomates & Candidates

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Member Benefits

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Retention Rate

���������� continues to drive innovation in veterinary research, supporting the dissemination of critical scientific knowledge that advances animal care. In 2024, we saw notable improvements in our editorial processes, alongside a growing international presence for our Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM). Through our research grants and newly established Endorsed Statements program, ���������� is empowering researchers to lead the way in developing solutions to the most pressing challenges in veterinary medicine.

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM) 
 

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In 2024, the ���������� reinforced its commitment to advancing the veterinary profession through a range of impactful initiatives. Efforts to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion included programs to support underrepresented communities and promote equal opportunities. Beyond DEI, the Recognition Awards honored six Diplomates for their exceptional contributions, while Success Stories on VetSpecialists.com showcased the transformative work of ���������� Diplomates in specialized care. The Triad of Care Insider newsletter enhanced collaboration among specialists, primary care vets, and pet owners, and the Specialty Medicine Awareness Committee worked to highlight the vital role of specialty medicine in advancing animal health.

Triad of Care Insider

The Triad of Care Insider, a VetSpecialists newsletter sent out quarterly throughout the year, focused on the importance of collaborative veterinary care. Targeting primary care veterinarians, each edition featured insights on enhancing the referral process and bridging the roles of specialists, primary care veterinarians, and pet owners. With tips and suggestions, the newsletter served as a valuable resource for improving patient care collaboratively. In 2024, the newsletter had an average 47% open rate.