Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners

2024 - Celebrating 50 Years of Veterinary Education

Administration

Board Meeting Minutes – 2023 Fall

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Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners, llc

Board Meeting-October 30, 2023

The semi-annual board meeting was held via Zoom call on October 30, 2023.  The meeting was called to order at 7:32 pm by President Sarah Waxman. 

Minutes from the Spring Board meeting were discussed.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes, Motion passed.

Financial report- A motion was made and seconded to approve the report.  Motion passed.

PVAA-Dr. Erin Wilson reported PVAA met 2 weeks ago.  Average starting salary for new graduates is $119,000.  Debt for new graduates from Purdue averages $45,000 while the national average is $95,000.  2027 class had 1800 applications.  Eighty nine students in the Class of 2027. Sixty percent Indiana residents and $0% nonresidents.  Twenty six percent of the class will be male with thirty one percent minority students.  Veterinary nurses with a BS average $145,000. The distance learning program for veterinary nursing continues to grow.  Updates & redesign of the program is being done.  The PVAA is in need of new board members.  You should be receiving your Alumni association dues renewal shortly.    

Purdue -Dr. Sarah Waxman gave a brief report.  The hospital is settled in.  Emergency team is better staffed. Two new visiting surgeons have been hired.

BOAH-Dr. Jennifer Strasser.  Center for Animal Policy is now in place.  Dr. Heather Solomon-Gabl has joined BOAH.  She will transition over to Equine in the future. There have been four positive West Nile and no EEE cases. The WN cases had 2 reported in southern Indiana and 2 in northern Indiana.  Two Vesicular stomatitis quarantines came back negative.  One Piroplasmosis case-the mare was euthanized and the foal went back home in a different state and to BOAH’s knowledge is being monitored there.

IVMA-Dr. Brian Biggers reported.  IVMA convention will be held February 1-3, 2024.  Equine speakers are listed for Friday, Feb. 2.  No legislative issues to report.

New Business-

  1. Barbara Sigman announced her resignation as Executive Administrator effective the conclusion of the Fall 2024 meeting.  Barbara thanked the board for their support and hopes to help transition the new appointee.  If someone desires to begin the position sooner than the Spring 2025 meeting Barbara is willing to step down earlier.
  2. Two directors and President elect will need to be elected at the general membership meeting tomorrow.  Discussion held for President Elect-Dr. Kate Hodson has agreed to submit her name for election.  Dr. Natalie Skillman will be considered for Pres. Elect in 2025.
  3. Ideas are needed for future speakers.  Topics suggested by the membership include New pain management options, Dr. Jamieson from Purdue on emergency medicine, realistic rehabilitation, and alternative modalities.

An emergency co-op has been formed by Drs Blackwell, Skillman, Beam, Clarke and Kirtley.  Weekend and holiday emergency are handled on a rotating basis with strictly haul in cases unless a horse in down. 

                With no further business needing to come before the board, meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Sigman, RVT

Executive Administrator                                                                                                 

General Membership – 2024 Spring

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Indiana Association of Equine Practioners, LLC

General Membership Meeting March 6th, 2024.

Meeting was called to order at 1:04 PM by Dr. Lydia Mudd, IAEP President.

A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Fall 2023 General Membership Meeting. Motion was seconded and passed.

Financial report- motion was made to approve the Spring 2024 Financial Report. Motion was seconded and passed.

IVMA Update-Dr. Brian Biggers

The Crossroads Veterinary Conference (held February 1-4, 2024) was well attended. Considerations are being made for offering wet labs in 2025. There were several sessions focused on supporting new grads and life coaching. The equine track was sponsored by Boehringer-Ingelheim, who will also sponsor the equine track in 2025.

Indiana BOAH Update- Dr. Heather Solomon

There have been 3 recent quarantines for EHM in LaGrange County. One horse has been released. There have been many cases recently here in the Midwest; please contact BOAH for biosecurity questions or issues. Please encourage good biosecurity practices with your owners!

If you have a case of EHV-neurologic confirmed by a laboratory, it is the practitioner’s responsibility to report to the BOAH. Lab policies differ, and many labs do not send reportables to the state.

Purdue Alumni Report- Dr. Erin Wilson

Data from 2023 DVM graduating class:

Average salary: $119,000

Average student debt upon graduation: $145,000 (national average is $195,000).

Program received 1800 applications for the class of 2027- 85 seats available. Curriculum focus is on primary and spectrum of care.

Vet tech distance learning program enrollment numbers are up. On campus program is still limited to 30 seats per class.

Average salary for class of 2023 RVTgs (bachelor’s degree): $45,000.

Average salary for class of 2023 RVTs (associate’s degree): $40,000.

The Alumni Association is in need of a new board member this year.  Board has two meetings per year. Next meeting is in March.  If interested, contact Dr. Wilson.

Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital- Dr. Sarah Waxman

ECC team is well-established and fully staffed.

Please reach out to VTH if you or your clients experience any communication difficulties.  A new IT system has been put in place, and there are some known issues with voice mails and calls.

Francois Bertin has joined the faculty as an associate professor of large animal internal medicine.

Please send dental cases for CT scans!

Dean Reed will be retiring soon (June).

New Business

November meeting: We will be electing a new president and voting in 2 new members-at-large. The plan is to take incoming board members through onboarding steps. Current members are making lists of duties for their positions.

Our next board meeting is Wednesday, November 6th. Dr. Simon Curtis will speak on podiatry. The Indiana Farriers’ Association will co-sponsor the lecture with us.

No other new business. Motion made to adjourn. Motion was seconded and passed. Meeting ended at 1:21 PM.

Kari Brubeck, Secretary/Treasurer

General Membership – 2023 Fall

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Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners, llc

General Membership Meeting, November 1, 2023

Meeting was called to order at 1:05 pm by President Sarah Waxman.

A motion to approve the minutes for the Spring General Membership Meeting was made and seconded.  Motion passed.

A motion to approve the Financial Report was made and seconded. Motion passed.

BOAH-Dr. Jennifer Strasser.  Center for Animal Policy is up and running.  Director is Laura Turner.  ECVI is no longer supported. Transitioning to Vet CVI-a free service online. Several online training dates are scheduled.  Four West Nile positive horses, two in southern Indiana and two in northern Indiana.  All appear to be unvaccinated cases.  No EEE cases this year.  Two vesicular stomatitis investigations were made.  Both ended with negative test results.  One piroplasmosis quarantine.  The mare was euthanized after foaling and the foal has been sent back to it’s home state.  New field veterinarian-Dr. Heather Solomon-Gabl.  She will slowly be transitioning to take over the Equine division.

Purdue Alumni-Dr. Erin Wilson. Fall meeting was held 2 weeks age.  2027 vet class had 1800 applications, 60% are in state residents, 40% out-of-state residents, with 26% being male students.  Two early admissions from the Vet scholars program and the Vet up program.  Average salary for 2023 graduates is $119,000 with a student debt averaging $195,000.  Purdue graduating veterinarians average a debt of $145,000.  Veterinary nursing distance learning program is growing.  Reorganization of the program is being done at this time.  Average veterinary nurse salary with a BS degree is $45,000, $40,000 with an associate degree.  Please renew your PVAA membership.  New board members are needed, especially equine associates. 

Purdue-Dr. Sarah Waxman.  Emergency positions are better staffed.  New surgeons have been hired.  Standing CT is an option for advanced imaging.

IVMA-Dr. Brian Biggers.  IVMA annual convention will be held Feb. 1-3, 2024.  Friday, Feb. 2nd will be the primary Equine day.  Saturday will have USDA certifications sessions.

New Business:

                                Elections:  President elect-nominee Dr. Kate Hodson.  Dr. Hodson is President elect for 2024.

                                Board of Directors:  Dr. Karin Jensen and Dr. Lexi Miller.  No further nominations from the floor.  Motion made and seconded to close nominations.  Motion passed.  Dr. Jensen & Dr. Miller are elected to the board of directors.

                                Dr. Waxman announced that Barbara Sigman, RVT was retiring from her position as Executive Administrator effective at the end of 2024 or whenever a replacement is announced.  Kari Brubeck, RVT volunteered for the position.  She and Barbara will work together for the Spring 2024 meeting to smooth the transition.

With no further business needing to be brought before the membership, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.  Motion passed.  Meeting adjourned at 1:35 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Sigman, RVT 

Board Meeting Minutes – 2023 Spring

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Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners, llc

Board Meeting-February 27, 2023

The semi-annual board meeting was held via Zoom call on February 27, 2023.

The meeting was called to order by President Dr. Sarah Waxman.

A lot of difficulties with communication this session.  Looking for new ways to communicate between board members.  Dr. Angela Blackwell discussed using GroupMe.  They currently use this application at their practice and seem to find it reliable.  Would need an administrator.  Dana Thompson is already doing a lot of these same duties so she will volunteer to be the admin.

Dr. Valberg is driving in for meeting.  Should arrive in Lebanon tonight.  Dr. Blackwell has breakfast and snacks handled.  Shoup’s will again be catering the lunch. 

Minutes from the Fall Board meeting.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes, Motion passed.

Financial report.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the report.  Motion passed.   

Alumni-Dr. Erin Wilson-Next meeting is in March.  Nothing new to report since our Fall meeting.

Purdue -Dr. Waxman.  Hospital issues have mostly been resolved.  Still short staffed.  Emergency personnel have all left.  Dr. Camilla Jamieson, who is Internal Medicine credentialed is currently running the emergency services.

BOAH-Dr. Jennifer Strasser.  EHV cases in state and around the country.  Working on Center for Animal Policy-goes into effect July 1st.  Survey sent out to all veterinarians.  Please fill out and send back.

New Business-

                 Amanda Taylor has contacted Barbara Sigman about the IAEP scholarships for graduating Equine students.  IAEP in the past has donated $3000 to the top three equine students ($1500, $1000 & $500).  Discussion was held concerning continuing these scholarships.  IAEP will again award the scholarships with the stipulation that the winners must be continuing in the equine field upon graduation.  Dr. Waxman will monitor this situation with Purdue.

                 Registration fees-discussion held concerning the rising costs and the need to increase the registration fees.  Board decided that preregistration would increase for veterinarians to $95 and Technicians/Assistants to $65.  Students will remain at no charge.          

With no further business needing to come before the board, meeting adjourned at 9:25 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Sigman, RVTBarbara Sigman, RVT
Executive Administrator

Board Meeting Minutes – 2022 Fall

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Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners, llc

Board Meeting-November 1, 2022

The semi-annual board meeting was held via Zoom call on November 1, 2022.  The meeting was called to order at 7:32 pm by President Angela Blackwell. 

Minutes from the Spring Board meeting were discussed.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes, Motion passed.

Financial report-Discussion was held about the need to increase the registration fees.   A motion was made and seconded to approve the report.  Motion passed.

PVAA-Dr. Erin Wilson unable to attend the meeting but she sent her report to Dr. Blackwell.  The new Equine Hospital is open and running.  ADDL has several new PCR services available.  Two standing CT units are now available-at the main campus and also at the Shelbyville hospital.  Dr. Joseph Hayna is offering advanced reproductive services.  Vet school applications are still strong with 1500-1700 applicants.  Eighty nine students in the Class of 2026.  Consideration is being made to increase class sizes in the future.  Salaries for 2022 graduates average $115,000 with $155,000 in school debt incurred.  Veterinary nurses with a BS average $20.68/hr and Associate degree graduates average $18.00/hr.  You should be receiving your Alumni association dues renewal shortly.    

Purdue -Dr. Tim Lescun unable to attend the meeting. Dr. Sarah Waxman gave a brief report.  Dr. Couetil is looking for as nominee for the Equine Research Advisory Board.  The hospital is currently hiring nurses, assistants, and animal handlers.  There are several vacancies in Doctor specialties.  Standing CT is now being offered.  Procedure is relatively affordable beginning around $750.00.  No general anesthesia is required.

IVMA-No report.

BOAH-Dr. Jennifer Strasser.  Herpes case reported in mid-March.  Twenty five percent morbidity rate in the barn.  April saw a case of Equine influenza-owner self-quarantined and no other cases were reported. In May a QH tested positive for piroplasmosis.  Case appears to have been a vertical transmission from the dam.  In June, a horse is Texas tested positive for EIA.  Further investigation discovered it had shipped illegally from Indiana.  No other horses at the Indiana facility tested positive.  Strangles was an issue at both race tracks this year.  There have been two positive West Nile and 3 EEE cases.

New Business-

  1. Two directors and President elect will need to be elected at the general membership meeting tomorrow
  2. Ideas are needed for future speakers.
  3. Increasing registration fees-students will remain free, possible increase for veterinarians to $95 and technicians/assistants $65. Drs Waxman & Blackwell will look into this and report back to the board.
  4. Since board meetings are held virtually, discussion held about possibly meeting the weekend before the general meeting. 

                With no further business needing to come before the board, meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Sigman, RVT

Executive Administrator                                                                                                 

Board Meeting Minutes – 2022 Spring

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Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners, llc

Board Meeting-March 1, 2022

The semi-annual board meeting was held via Zoom call on March 1, 2022.

The meeting was called to order by President Dr. Angela Blackwell. 

Minutes from the Fall Board meeting.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes, Motion passed.

Financial report.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the report.  Motion passed.   

Alumni-Dr. Erin Wilson-Dedication of new hospital will be April 8th & 9th.  An equine veterinarian & veterinary technician are needed for the PVAA board.  Dr. Wilson encourages members to renew their memberships.

Purdue -Dr. Tim Lescun.  Open house at the Veterinary School will be the weekend of April 16th & 17th.  They are working through curriculum restructuring.  New faculty-Dr. Justin Hayna-Theriogenology, Dr. Tucker-Surgery, Dr. Anna Marero-Internal medicine & Emergency care.  The lobby has re-opened, masks are recommended.

IVMA-Dr. Angela Blackwell.  Senator Boot’s last push to get dentistry bill passed.  Several equine veterinarians attended the Ag. Committee meeting to oppose the bill.  Bill passed out of committee 5-4, passed out of the Senate, bill died in the House.  There is a bill in the House now that would give BOAH & the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners more power to pursue lay people for practice act violations.

BOAH-Dr. Jennifer Strasser.  EEE testing done in association with the Board of Health.  $75 reimbursement available to veterinarians who had horses showing clinical signs and submitted blood work.  No applications for reimbursement were submitted. No Indiana horses tested positive for EEE this year.  Nine cases of West Nile reported.  Global Vet Link working on extended CVIs.  Equine Disease Information Center reporting diseases out to the general public.

Old Business-

                Credit card switch-new processor set up for fall meeting.

New Business-

                Amanda Taylor has contacted Barbara Sigman about the IAEP scholarships for graduating Equine students.  IAEP in the past has donated $3000 to the top three equine students ($1500, $1000 & $500).  Discussion was held concerning continuing these scholarships.  IAEP will again award the scholarships.

                Dr. Jake Jensen has been contacted by Carrie Peterson of the IHRC.  Veterinarians are needed in the test barn of both race tracks.  No food had been arranged for the meeting tomorrow.  Barbeque is set for lunch.  Dr. Jensen will take care of coffee & donuts for the morning.  Dr. Waxman offered to pick up drinks and snacks for the afternoon.

                Dana Thompson questioned the fee for farriers at the fall meeting-same as veterinarians.

With no further business needing to come before the board, meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Sigman, RVT

Executive Administrator