Lunch N Learn

Lunch 'n Learn sessions were developed in 2013 as a way to help busy MVMA members obtain CE credits without having to leave work. Lunch 'n Learns are open to all veterinary professionals! The one-hour sessions are held on the second Tuesday of each month from 12:00 pm-1:00 pm (central). Attendees receive 1 interactive CE credit.

Pricing: 
MVMA Members-FREE
Non-Member MN Licensed Veterinarian-$45/per session
CVTs, VTs, VAs-$20/per session
Non-MN Licensed Veterinarian-$20/per session

WebEx software is used to conduct the online Lunch n Learn series. Join a test meeting now to ensure your device is set-up properly. 

2022 LUNCH N LEARN SCHEDULEClick here to register for Cyber Threats

Tuesday, September 13-Nutritional Management of Canine Allergic Skin Disease

Catherine Ruggiero, DVM, DACVN, Scientific Communications Specialist, Hill's Pet Nutrition
Canine allergies can be challenging for pet owners and veterinarians alike.  This session will review how dietary intervention can support recovery and improve outcomes. 

Dr. Catherine Ruggiero is a board certified veterinary nutritionist® and Scientific Communications Specialist for Hill's. She completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training at the University of Missouri in 2014. Prior to that, she received a Bachelor of Science at St. Lawrence University and a Master of Science in Biological Sciences at Fordham University. She was an associate veterinarian at a small animal veterinary practice in Upstate New York for just over three years before returning to the University of Missouri to pursue residency training in small animal clinical nutrition. Upon completion of an ACVN residency program in 2019, Dr. Ruggiero joined Hill's Pet Nutrition as a Consulting Clinician in VCS, and is currently working in Scientific Affairs.

Click here to register for Nutritional Management of Canine Allergic Skin Disease

Tuesday, October 11-Are You the Rock or the Hard Place? Why You Should Re-evaluate the Role of Insurance in Your Practice

Scott Huggins, DVM, MBA, Blue Heron Consulting
Discuss how pet medical insurance benefits the pet, the owner, and the veterinarian by describing the difficult, yet common economic situation faced by many pet owners when faced with unexpected illnesses and accidents. Pet medical insurance benefits the pet by decreasing economic euthanasia; the owner by eliminating the need to make decisions based on finances; and veterinarians by allowing them to practice high quality veterinary medicine. Also discussed are the AVMA position on pet insurance, the AVMA's criteria for selecting insurance options, and common reasons veterinarians have historically been reluctant to discuss insurance with clients. In addition, also provided are suggestions on how to easily incorporate and discuss pet insurance with owners.

Scott Huggins, DVM, MBA earned a BS degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina, a DVM degree from the N.C. State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and an MBA from the Bryan School of Business and Economics at UNC-Greensboro. He has nearly 30 years of experience in multiple areas of veterinary medicine including private practice in NC, UT, and NV; animal health industry experience with Novartis Animal Health and Nutramax Laboratories; academia; and consulting.  Dr. Huggins is currently a veterinary industry consultant with Blue Heron Consulting, and has given over 250 RACE-certified presentations, providing over 500 hours of continuing education to veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Click here to register for Are You the Rock or the Hard Place?

Tuesday, November 8-The History and Future of Veterinary Medicine: A DEI Discussion

Elizabeth Martinez-Podolsky, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota
In this session, attendees will learn about some highlighted pieces of American and Minnesota Veterinary history: legislation and policy, relationship to agriculture, and noteworthy turning points. The presentation will also make the connection to current events and how to plan for including diversity and equity into our Veterinary future. 

Elizabeth Martinez-Podolsky (she/her/hers) serves as the Inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Elizabeth calls South Texas, Iowa, and now Minnesota her home. As an educator and scholar, Elizabeth uses history and critical scholarship to drive her work. At Minnesota, Elizabeth is in charge of advising the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, the Administrative Council for DEI, and the newly formed DEI Faculty Collective. Most recently, she is proud to have helped the MVMA DEI Action Team with the wording of the first ever MVMA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement. 

Click here to register for The History and Future of Veterinary Medicine: A DEI Discussion

Tuesday, December 13-Is It Time to Expand?: Navigating Expansions, Real Estate Purchases and Lease Negotiations-A Panel Discussion with Your Supporting Member Experts!

Donnie Colvin, Vice President, Senior Business Lending Development Consultant, Wells Fargo Health Care Industries Group-Practice Finance
Jon Helle, Commercial Real Estate Salesperson, CARR Healthcare Realty

Donnie Colvin is Business Development Manager with Practice Finance, a specialized healthcare lending division of Wells Fargo focused exclusively on dentists, veterinarians, optometrists and physicians. Donnie specializes in providing financing to Dr’s to start, acquire, expand, equip, refinance, or relocate their practices in addition to financing for commercial real estate, ground up construction and working capital. He is connected to and partners with a broad team of industry relationship experts providing a “one stop shop” for Health Care Professionals to achieve their financial and professional goals. With 15 plus years’ experience in the field he is skilled in supporting Dr’s at all stages of their career.

Jon Helle is a commercial real estate salesperson for CARR serving Minnesota, Iowa and western Wisconsin. CARR is the nation’s leader in real estate services for Healthcare Providers. Jon specializes in real estate lease and purchase negotiations for Veterinary Clinics. He is committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for his clients.

Click here to register for Is It Time to Expand?