WVC Las Vegas—Annual Veterinary Conference
In 2020, WVC (formerly known as Western Veterinary Conference) was renamed Viticus Group. The name Viticus combines the Latin term for life, “vita,” and the Latin term for doctor, “medicus.” Viticus Group provides world-class continuing education to veterinary and human health professionals. The name WVC will continue to be used to distinguish veterinary events. WVC will host their 93rd annual veterinary conference from September 6 to 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In-person sessions, as well as supplemental virtual opportunities, will be offered. Here is a preview of the upcoming events.
Exhibit hall happenings
More than 380 exhibitors are scheduled to attend the conference to offer information and advice on products. Other reasons to visit the exhibit hall include:
- Learning lounge — Short educational sessions will be presented each day, to introduce new products, procedures, and helpful tips to energize your practice.
- Job fair — On Wednesday September 8, from 4 to 6 p.m., a job fair will be held in the exhibit hall.
- Vet Detective — You can play the Vet Detective exhibit hall game by visiting participating exhibitor booths to be entered to win a fabulous prize. The Vet Detective drawing will take place Thursday, September 9, at 1:30 p.m. in the learning lounge.
Small animal education
Specialists from across the country will cover every aspect of small animal medicine. Featured lecturers include:
- Julia Albright, DVM, DACVB, MA — Dr. Albright works at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center’s Animal Behavior Clinic. She will present a case-based approach to separation anxiety.
- Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CCFP — Dr. Cooney founded the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy, to ensure veterinarians use compassion and skill during euthanasia. She will discuss how hospice services can help retain clients.
- Sara Moore, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) — Dr. Moore is a professor of veterinary neurology and neurosurgery at Ohio State University. She will explain why gait and posture are key for diagnosing neurological issues.
Hands-on labs that offer practical experience will also be available. Highlights include easy diagnostic techniques, canine tooth extraction, abdominal ultrasound, treating patellar luxation, and Ruby Joint Stabilization.
Avian and exotic education
Lectures will be offered on topics including birds, amphibians, exotics, reptiles, and small mammals. Featured speakers include:
- Daniel H. Johnson, DVM, DABVP — Dr. Johnson founded North Carolina’s first all-exotics practice in 1996. He will discuss essential surgeries in exotic companion mammals.
- Julie A. Balko, VMD, DACVAA — Dr. Balko is an assistant professor of anesthesiology at North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. She will discuss reptile anesthesia.
- Jeffery R. Applegate, Jr., DVM, DACZM — Dr. Applegate serves as the education manager for the WVC exotics section, and will present a case review on avian radiology.
Hands-on labs for avian and exotic education include an avian procedures and handling lab, and a rabbit dentistry lab.
Food animal education
Topics including beef cattle, dairy, genetics, and nutrition will be covered. Featured lecturers include:
- W. Mark Hilton, DVM, DABVP (Beef Cattle) — Dr. Hilton is a technical consultant for Elanco’s beef team. He assists beef cattle veterinarians with production medicine support, and will discuss how communication can help your practice.
- Dusty Nagy, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM (LAIM) — Dr. Nagy is a clinical associate professor of large animal clinical sciences at Texas A&M College of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. Her presentation will focus on the resuscitation and critical care of the neonatal calf.
Equine education
Equine experts will provide educational information on topics including behavior, endocrinology, gastroenterology, lameness, ultrasonography, and infectious disease. Featured presenters include:
- Jennifer Chatfield, DVM, DACZM, DACVPM — Dr. Chatfield co-hosts the podcast “Chats with the Chatfields.” She will discuss rabies in horses.
- Carrie Finno, DVM, PhD — Dr. Finno is a faculty member in genetics, an equine medicine service clinician, and the Center for Equine Health director at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She will present an overview of equine genetics and the current tests available.
Hands-on labs for equine education include an equine behavior lab, and an equine respiratory lab.
Practice management education
Topics covered in this section include accounting and finance, feline friendly practice strategies, human resources, and marketing. Featured speakers include:
- Kellie Olah, SPHR, CVPM — Kellie is a practice management and resources consultant at Veterinary Business Advisors, Inc. She will give a presentation on the common mistakes made in employee manuals.
- Stacee Santi, DVM — Dr. Santi is the founder and chief executive officer of Vet2Pet, a client engagement platform to help practices attract, engage, and retain clients. She will discuss using technology to deliver a better client experience.
- Josh Vaisman, MAPPCP, CCFP — Dr. Vaisman is the co-founder and lead consultant for Flourish Veterinary Consulting. He will discuss the factors that produce highly effective teams.
Workshops that allow for group activity and high instructor-to-student interactions are available. Topics include conflict management, positive leadership skills, developing new profit centers, and tips for shooting better videos at your practice.
Veterinary technician education
The WVC did not forget veterinary technicians. Topics that will be presented include the human-animal bond, pain management, emergency and critical care, and internal medicine. Featured speakers include:
- Ed Carlson, CVT, VTS (Nutrition) — Mr. Carlson is the director of technician learning and development at Ethos Veterinary Health. He will discuss current diet trends.
- H. Edward Durham, Jr. CVT, LATG, VTS (Cardiology) — Mr. Durham is a senior veterinary technician in the anesthesia service at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He will give a presentation about cardiology.
Workshops for veterinary technicians include an anesthesia workshop, advanced electrocardiogram interpretation, and tips to deal with stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue.
In addition to the valuable educational and networking opportunities, attendees will be entertained by a Blue Man Group show. The 2021 WVC veterinary conference will be the perfect place to complete your continuing education requirements.
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