Inside AAHA: July 2021

View from the Board

Diversity—A Conscious Decision

IT WAS THE END OF ONE OF THOSE EXTREMELY BUSY DAYS, sitting there with my team, alternating between feeling absolutely exhausted and somewhat accomplished. We all knew to our core that we couldn’t have gotten through that day without the different skill sets that each of us brought. In a moment of quiet, one of my team members said, “this was a good day . . . and if I can be honest, a year ago, I didn’t think I would get a chance to be on this team because I didn’t think I fit the mold!”

I thought back to their interview, and if I am honest, I did actively consider the options when making that hiring decision. But why did I have to think when I already knew from the literature and from my own experience that diverse teams are more creative, productive, and profitable? The reality is that on any given day our brains are only capable of making a certain number of conscious decisions. The rest of our decisions are made by our subconscious, with our conscious brains then finding a way to justify the quick decision our subconscious has already made for us.

Evolutionary biologists are quick to remind us that, for more than 100,000 years, our subconscious has been conditioned by humans living in small groups where we all looked alike, depended on each other for survival, and saw anyone who didn’t look like us as a threat. That world is gone, but until we consciously decide to train ourselves to thrive in this new world together, we will continue to contribute to the long, and well-documented, history of racism and bigotry in the United States.

Today we live in an interconnected, bustling, idea-filled world with billions of people interacting together. As individuals, teams, businesses, and an industry, we all thrive when we embrace the synergies of a diverse world. This too is well documented. And with every opportunity we miss to actively bring diversity to our world, we miss a chance to grow and to aid in the growth of others.

Sadly, this newfound interconnectivity can also provide a path for amplification of racist and divisive rhetoric across our community not only through active messaging from all types of communication channels but, more importantly, through the passive acceptance of our own unconscious biases. In the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” I’m also reminded of the powerful adage that actions speak louder than words, and I would suggest that inaction speaks just as loudly.

The key is that diversity on your team will not happen unless you make a conscious decision to make it happen. Unless you consciously choose to make diversity, equity, and inclusion a priority, we will continue to see all of the problems that plague and divide the country also plaguing and dividing us in the profession we love. This isn’t someone else’s problem to fix. It is yours and mine.

And so my challenge to you is this: write down what you are going to consciously do this month and every month to bring the many benefits of diversity to your world—and then make sure that you do it. 

Dermot Jevens is a board-certified veterinary surgeon and investor who lives in Greenville, South Carolina. He currently serves as secretary/treasurer on the AAHA Board of Directors.

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Happy AAHA-Accredited Hospital Day!

In celebration of #AAHADay on July 22, we are recognizing all that AAHA-accredited practices have done this past year. From changing up business models and offering curbside service to giving away PPE to human healthcare workers and dealing with emotionally strained clients, you’ve done it all with strength, humor, grace, and resilience.

Please join us in thanking your teams on July 22 with a celebration of your own. Share your photos and videos with hashtag #AAHADay!

“Thank you, AAHA-accredited practices, for caring to be the best and pursuing excellence in patient care, client care, and employee care. I applaud each and every one of you.”
—Rhonda Sayle, RVT, practice consultant

“Thank you for letting AAHA be a part of your practice’s journey. It is truly an honor to get to see practices grow and adapt our standards to make themselves better, not only for their staff, but their patients as well.”
—Hana Delaney, CVT, accreditation specialist

“To all members of AAHA-accredited practices, I can’t thank you enough for your commitment to practice the highest standard of veterinary care during these rough, unpredictable times. Your resilience inspires me every day and your creative solutions to approaching unfamiliar situations has elevated veterinary medicine in ways never thought possible. I deeply appreciate all your hard work and dedication!”
—Alison McKearn, graphic designer

“Thank you to all of our wonderful accredited hospitals for allowing AAHA to continue performing virtual evaluations this past year. I know how stressful it has been with the pandemic—being extra busy, short staffed, etc.—but you have done such an amazing job handling it. I am inspired by you all!”
—Amanda Kramlich, BS, CVT, practice consultant

“To each of AAHA’s almost 4,500 accredited practices, I extend my sincere gratitude. You set the bar in veterinary care every day and inspire our industry to continuously improve. At AAHA, we will always do our best to support your journey. You deserve nothing less. Thank you!”
—Garth Jordan, CEO

“I am always inspired by the hard work and resilience of our AAHA-accredited practice team members, but after seeing how you rose above to tackle every challenge thrown your way in 2020, I am truly in awe! Thank you for everything you do day-in and day-out to serve pets and their people!”
—Shannon Burke-Banks, senior marketing manager

“Thank you for putting in the long hours, handling the tough questions, and going above and beyond every day so our pets can lead the happiest, healthiest lives possible. We see you and we appreciate you!”
—Kris Solberg, product marketing manager

“A sincere thank you to each and every one of you for all the hard work you put in on a daily basis. It takes a special type of person to face the challenges you do day to day, and I thank you again for allowing AAHA to support you.”
—Sean Thomas, advertising and sales manager

“I want to personally thank all our members for your adaptability, resilience, and hard work over this very tough past year. I appreciate each of you working so diligently and selflessly to serve the community, clients, and their pets. You are an example and shining light—a beacon for us all to look to. Even when struck with tragedy, the veterinary community did what it does best—we rose up to serve others and help everyone we can. I admire and appreciate all of your hard work, tears, blood, sweat, and the sacrifices you make each day to put community, clients, and patients first. I want you to take care and look out for each other. Don’t forget that you are human as well, that you need someone to look after and care for you, or simply to check in to see how you’re doing. You are valued and appreciated. You are a priority, and so is your self-care! You can’t be your best self if you’re not also caring for and looking after you.”
—Michelle Johnson, PHR, director of member experience

“Thanks to all the accredited practices out there, especially my ‘home’ practice, Falmouth Veterinary Hospital in Maine, accredited since 1951. Always providing top-quality care, even through pandemics and recessions, AAHA-accredited practices are the best of the best. Thank you!”
—Ben Williams, Trends magazine editor

“I love my AAHA-accredited veterinary teams because they continue to grow and push through all the tough times. They are an inspiration for their continued dedication and growth for their clients and patients, and it’s an honor to have and call every one of them an AAHA-accredited practice.”
—Judy Wiita, CVT, practice consultant

“I love my AAHA-accredited veterinary teams because they represent the best in the ever-evolving veterinary industry. I am inspired by your perseverance and drive to provide excellent care for your clients and patients every day. Thank you for all that do for the animal-loving community and beyond!”
—Cristina Syas AAS, CVT, accreditation specialist

“Thank you for all the care you provide for our furry animal family members. We appreciate the hard work you do, the long hours you all work, and the high standard you hold your practice to.”
—Nathan Chambers, MBA, strategic business manager

“Thank you for your hard work and perseverance through this pandemic. You all have hung in there, created new ways of meeting both client and patient needs, while dealing with your own challenges and struggles with the COVID virus. You’ve made a difference for so many people and families and we appreciate all you do! You are our heroes!”
—Terri Johnson, MSS, CVT, accreditation specialist

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NEW! 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats

Discussing nutrition with clients can be emotionally charged because of widespread internet myths and sensitive topics, such as obesity. But it’s time for veterinary teams to take back our role as experts in pet nutrition and become champions for the health of our patients.

AAHA convened a task force of veterinary communication and nutrition experts to provide concrete information, resources, and value in the 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. These updated guidelines emphasize obesity prevention as a team effort that includes the pet owner and your practice. Regular monitoring and tracking of body weight, body condition score, and muscle condition score allow the veterinary team to track trends over time, spotting diseases earlier and providing evidence-based intervention tips for clients.

The 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats are supported by generous educational grants from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets, and Royal Canin®.

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Dear AAHA

Dear AAHA,

One of our employees lost their daycare provider and asked to bring their preschooler to the clinic for a few hours a week. We don’t currently have anything in our handbook about this, and we’re wondering where to research more on the law. Thank you!

—Kid Questions in Knoxville

Dear Kid Questions,

Having an employee handbook in place outlining the practice’s specific policies around children in the workplace is a great place to start. We would recommend the Society for Human Resource Management, OSHA, VHMA, and the AAHA Guide to Creating an Employee Handbook to get templates and see examples on which to base your own policies.

—AAHA’s Member Experience Team

Have a question you’d like AAHA to answer? Email us at dearaaha@aaha.org.

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AAHA Meetings and Events

AAHA is closely monitoring developments related to COVID-19 and we will continue to follow recommended public health guidelines leading up to all scheduled AAHA events.

Veterinary Management Institute July 10	AAHA at WVC Annual Conference Booth #1924 | September 6–9
AAHA-Accredited Hospital Day July 22	AAHA at IAAHPC Conference September 9–11
OSHA Safe + Sound Week August 9–15	Connexity Scottsdale, Arizona | September 22–25

Register for a learning program and learn more about AAHA’s upcoming events.

Photo credits: GlobalP/iStock via Getty Images Plus, anastas_/iStock via Getty Images Plus