One-on-One: An Interview with NAVC President Dr. Gatz Riddell

In January, M. Gatz Riddell, DVM, MS, DACT, took over as President of the North American Veterinary Conference. Clinician’s Brief recently sat down with Dr. Riddell, who will preside through the January 2013 NAVC Conference, to talk about his goals for his upcoming presidency, challenges facing NAVC and the veterinary industry, and how his experience with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners will benefit his presidency.

Dr. Gatz Riddell Assumes NAVC 2012 Presidency

Clinician’s Brief: What would you like to see addressed in your upcoming term as NAVC President?
Dr. Gatz Riddell: It’s important to remember that NAVC is not a membership-based organization. We will continue to keep the focus on continuing education. NAVC is determined to provide the best possible CE to all members of the veterinary healthcare team at an affordable cost. I’m very value driven. In particular, I’m mindful of students’ increasing debt load and how it relates to continuing education. Distance learning is another opportunity to consider, particularly in Australia. Students rely on distance learning for education. One idea might be to capture sessions at each NAVC Conference through joint audio and PowerPoint files. Those files could then be made available for a period of time following the Conference. We’re taking great strides to make online learning accessible and easy for users, but there is still room to grow. I also plan to seek alternate models to CE, in addition to NAVC Institute and NAVC Expeditions. I hope to use my experience with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners to benefit my presidency with NAVC.

Clinician’s Brief: You mention your involvement with the AABP, where you serve as Executive Vice President. How will your experience with the AABP contribute to your upcoming presidency with NAVC?
Dr. Gatz Riddell: I think it will help in several ways: coordinating and conducting meetings, overcoming challenges, and overseeing and improving communication. My experience with AABP will also be valuable in identifying and meeting the needs of students. My background is in large-animal practice. Although small animal practice can be a gold economic standard, rural veterinarians, especially, should be aware of large animal practice in order to remain viable in a changing economy. To do so, they must enhance their community presence and expand their services. Veterinarians in rural communities, here in North America and around the world, may also need additional outreach in order to maintain the quality of their services. I think an alternate method of technology – technology that is not the internet – is needed to help accomplish that. It’s a matter of delivery. World class means doing the best and not necessarily traveling not distances.

Clinician’s Brief: What other future developments are in store for NAVC?
Dr. Gatz Riddell: I believe NAVC should have a saturated presence in the industry. We’re looking to partner with sponsors, companies, and other entities to continue ensuring top quality education. Quality will remain the key focus in any future developments. Ultimately, the conference is the mother-ship that allows us to do extra, like NAVC Expeditions or the NAVC Institute. In addition, we need to promote veterinarians and their talent. Veterinarians do not market themselves. We need to make sure we equip them with the best tools possible as they enter the industry. After all, part of being a successful, sustainable practice is making money.

Clinician’s Brief: What other challenges are facing the industry and NAVC?
Dr. Gatz Riddell: There are numerous challenges and matters that will need to be addressed with careful analysis and execution. That includes the shrinking presence of large-animal care, increasing attention to Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) criteria for accrediting continuing education offerings, and ensuring that industry leaders without board certification are regarded as skilled and reputable. Above all, it’s not about us. It’s about what we do for other people.