Vet leaders push a fresh look at organized veterinary medicine

A new Veterinary Viewfinder episode is urging the profession to take a harder look at organized veterinary medicine as 2026 begins. In “Shedding Old Skins: Rethinking Vet Organizations in a New Year,” Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, argue that many veterinary professionals feel unheard by the groups meant to represent them, and they frame the conversation around governance, transparency, inclusion, and whether dissent is too often treated as disloyalty. The episode also highlights a familiar fault line in the profession: veterinary technicians’ continued push for meaningful representation in leadership and decision-making. (drernieward.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this isn’t just a membership conversation. It’s about whether associations and governing bodies can still reflect a workforce dealing with burnout, staffing strain, career mobility, and changing expectations about leadership. That tension is playing out at the same time organized veterinary medicine remains influential in advocacy and policy, from federal workforce legislation to leadership development and volunteer governance. AVMA, for example, has continued to emphasize recruitment and retention in high-need areas, and reported record membership growth in 2025, suggesting the debate is less about whether these organizations matter than about how responsive and representative they are. (avma.org)

What to watch: Expect more scrutiny in 2026 around who gets a voice in veterinary leadership, how organizations show accountability, and whether governance reforms translate into broader trust across the profession. (drernieward.com)