23 Oct Looking Back: Reflections with Dr. Mackey
“Engaging with the members about GVMA and making sure it is what they want and is growing in the direction they want makes all the work worthwhile!”
I’ve been a member of GVMA since veterinary school and have been involved in various committees and leadership, particularly in the last few years. Going into my presidency I thought I knew everything about GVMA. I was wrong! This year has put me working much more closely with the staff, and I am in awe with how much they do on a regular basis. We could not work without our volunteer members, but we couldn’t accomplish as much without our staff! Managing databases and financial records, website and social media, along with coordinating all of our educational programs- it is them. I knew they were important to our organization but I had no idea all of the pieces and parts they do on a regular basis. Thank you, GVMA staff!
I loved having members reach out to me with questions and being able to answer them or find the answers. I loved getting their feedback on what they wanted from our organization, what they liked and suggestions for improvement. Engaging with the members about GVMA and making sure it is what they want and is growing in the direction they want makes all the work worthwhile!
My hope for the future of GVMA is that we will maintain awareness of the changing needs in veterinary medicine and make the adjustments necessary to serve our members. As an example, just this year we developed a task force to look at AI and its potential impacts on veterinary medicine. And this is more than just my hope for the future; I have every confidence that with our leaders and staff we will continue to grow and change in whatever ways are needed to maintain the value of veterinary medicine in Georgia.