WVMA CALL TO ACTION!
Ask the Senate Health Committee to VOTE NO on Legislation that Would Restrict Veterinary Titles!!
On Wednesday, October 4, the State Senate Committee on Health will vote by paper ballot on Senate Bill 143, which will prohibit board-certified veterinary surgeons, anesthesiologists, cardiologists, dermatologists, neurologists, oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, and others from clearly indicating to patients and colleagues – through use of their medical titles – that they have undergone advanced training and obtained appropriate and meaningful certifications. It appears that the medical profession wants to prevent Wisconsin board-certified Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) from being able to accurately describe their specialties to their patients and to the public.
The WVMA has been opposing this legislation since it was introduced earlier this year. We have testified in opposition at the Senate Health Committee hearing on the bill in May AND have had multiple meetings with the Senate Health Committee Chair to express our concerns. However, no amendments to this bill have been introduced which would remove its effect on Wisconsin veterinarians. It is entirely inappropriate that the medical profession believes that it should be able to prohibit Wisconsin veterinarians from accurately describing their veterinary specialties.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please call each of the members of the Senate Health Committee and ask them to vote NO on SB 143!! Please call the office and speak to whoever answers the phone (see page 2 for talking points). It is also appropriate to call after hours and leave a voicemail.
• Senator Rachel Cabral-Guevara, Chair – (608) 266-0718 / Sen.Cabral-Guevara@legis.wisconsin.gov / Constituency Map (Parts of Outagamie and Winnebago counties)
• Senator Pat Testin, Vice Chair – (608) 266-3123 / Sen.Testin@legis.wisconsin.gov / Constituency Map (parts of Wood, Portage, Washara, Juneau, LaCrosse, Monroe, Jackson counties)
• Senator Mary Felzkowksi – (608) 266-2509 / Sen.Felzkowski@legis.wisconsin.gov / Constituency Map (parts of Lincoln, Oneida, Vilas, Pierce, Florence, Forest, Marinette, Oconto, Langlade counties)
• Senator Andre Jacque – (608) 266-3512 / Sen.Jacque@legis.wisconsin.gov / Constituency Map (parts of Manitowoc, Brown, Calumet, Outagamie, Kewanee and Door counties)
• Senator Diane Hesselbein – (608) 266-6670 / Sen.Hesselbein@legis.wisconsin.gov / Constituency Map (parts of Dane, Green, Iowa, Sauk & Columbia counties)
• Senator Tim Carpenter – (608) 266-8535 / Sen.Carpenter@legis.wisconsin.gov / Constituency Map (parts of Milwaukee county)

 
Important Information for the phone call/voicemail:
• Properly identify yourself: Cleary identify yourself as a veterinarian and “Dr. (insert name).” Identify your boarded title if you have one.
• Identify constituency: If you are a constituent of the legislator, identify where you live and that you are a constituent.
• Urge legislator to vote No on SB 143: Clearly articulate that you want the legislator (use legislator’s name) to vote no on SB 143—use the name of the bill. Say it at the beginning of your conversation and say it again at the end.
• Tell them why: Explain why it is important that veterinarians be allowed to use the titles that they have earned. Explain why it is important for clients and important for the veterinary community. Explain that there is absolutely no issues with confusion within the general public on the role of a veterinarian and what their titles mean.

Additional Background Information
What is a board certified veterinary specialist? A board-certified veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who has completed additional training in a specific area of veterinary medicine and has passed an examination that evaluates their knowledge and skills in that specialty area. Currently, there are 22 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-Recognized Veterinary Specialty Organizations comprising 46 distinct AVMA-Recognized Veterinary Specialties. More than 16,500 veterinarians across the United States have been awarded Diplomate status in one or more of these specialty organizations after completing rigorous postgraduate training, education, and examination requirements.
Give me an example of a veterinary specialist? There are many specific examples, but one is veterinary anesthesiology. The appropriate term for a DVM who has gone through a residency training program and has passed the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA) board exam under the guidance of the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) is "Veterinary Anesthesiologist". These veterinarians specifically describe themselves as, “Diplomate - American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia or DACVAA.” No private DVM practitioner or other veterinarian in the United States can use this term without this certification. It is meaningful and must be preserved.
Why is proper titling of veterinary specialists critical to our profession and animal health? Board-certified veterinary specialists serve animals and the public through collaboration and teamwork with primary care veterinarians, human medical professionals, research scientists, and public health officials. Their titles serve as evidence of their additional education, training, and expertise.