Momentum, Community, and the Work Ahead
To my esteemed colleagues and friends,
As the warmth of summer begins to give way to the energy of fall, I find myself pausing to reflect on the extraordinary privilege it is to serve as your president. These first months in this role have been a vivid reminder of why I love this profession and this association. Every conversation I have had with a member, whether it’s at a conference, in the hallway after a lecture or simply over a shared meal, has reinforced my belief that the Florida Veterinary Medical Association is something genuinely special. You are what makes it so.
This fall is a season of action, and I want to make sure you are informed, engaged, and present for the moments and opportunities that lie ahead.
Coming Up in October: The FAEP’s Promoting Excellence Symposium
For our equine colleagues and those with a passion for advancing that corner of our profession, I want to shine a spotlight on the FAEP Promoting Excellence Symposium (PES), taking place October 15–18, 2026, at the Hilton West Palm Beach in West Palm Beach, Florida.
This RACE-approved symposium offers up to 43 CE hours for veterinarians, which includes a highly anticipated wet lab focused on sport-horse lameness, and up to 8 hours for veterinary technicians. Expert-led lectures on equine medicine, networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall packed with some of the biggest brands in equine health and technology make this one of the premier equine education events in the state. Please visit www.fvma.org/pes2026 to secure your spot.
Mark Your Calendars: The Gulf Atlantic Veterinary Conference, December 3–5
I have said it before, and I will say it again: There is nothing quite like the energy of The Gulf Atlantic Veterinary Conference (TGAVC), especially when it falls near the winter holidays. Our premier event for small and exotic animal veterinary professionals returns December 3–5, 2026, at the magnificent Fort Lauderdale Marriott® Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
More than a conference, it truly is an experience. Imagine sharpening your surgical and diagnostic skills through RACE-approved lectures and hands-on wet labs, all while just steps away from the ocean at a world-class beachfront resort. This is exactly the kind of gathering that reminds us of the joy and camaraderie at the heart of our profession. Registration includes access to all conference lectures, networking events, and the exhibit hall. Hotel rooms are available at the group rate of $299 per night, but only if booked by November 11. Please do not miss that deadline. Visit www.fvma.org/tgavc2026 to register and reserve your room today.
The Legislative Session Approaches: Our Voice Must Be Heard
As the Florida legislative session draws nearer, I want to share where we stand and what is at stake for our profession. The FVMA will continue its firm and principled opposition to the Veterinary Practitioners Act (VPA) bill, legislation that we believe poses a genuine threat to the standard of care our patients deserve and the integrity of the doctor-client-patient relationship that defines veterinary medicine at its finest.
At the same time, we remain steadfastly committed to a positive vision: elevating the role and recognition of credentialed and certified veterinary technicians across Florida. Our technicians are an indispensable part of every great veterinary team, and they deserve to practice to the full extent of their considerable training and expertise. Advocacy for our technician colleagues is not separate from advocacy for our profession. It is advocacy for our profession.
I will be sharing more details on specific legislative priorities in the months ahead. In the meantime, I encourage each of you to stay informed, stay engaged, and consider how you can lend your voice, and your support to our Political Action Committee in the battles that will shape the future of veterinary medicine in this state.
A New Chapter for Our Leadership: Executive Director Search
I also want to be transparent with our membership about an important transition underway within our organization. The FVMA is currently conducting a thoughtful and thorough search for a new executive director. This is a critical leadership role, one that will help shape the direction, future membership relations, and voice of the FVMA moving forward. We are committed to finding someone who not only brings exceptional leadership and management acumen, but who shares a passion for this profession and the values that define this association.
I am grateful for the Board’s diligence in approaching this process with the care it deserves, and I look forward to introducing our new executive director to you in the months ahead. Great things begin with great people.
A Word of Gratitude: Our FVMA Office Team
Before I close, I want to take a moment to publicly acknowledge the remarkable team that keeps this organization running every single day. The FVMA’s office staff work tirelessly, often behind the scenes and without the recognition they so richly deserve, to support our members, execute our events, manage our communications, and advance the mission of this association.
Their dedication is the backbone of everything the FVMA accomplishes. On behalf of all FVMA members, thank you. I hope each of you will join me in expressing your gratitude the next time you have the opportunity, whether at a conference, in an email, or simply in a conversation. They make us better.
Onward, Together
Fall is a season of momentum, and I can feel ours building. From the exam room to the Capitol, from the conference hall to the water’s edge, we are a community defined by our commitment to animals, to each other, and to the highest standards of our profession. I am proud to lead this association, and I am grateful every day for the opportunity to do so alongside each of you.
Please register for PES and TGAVC if you have not already done so, stay tuned for legislative updates, and, as always, reach out to me directly with your thoughts, your feedback, and your ideas. The FVMA belongs to all of us.
With gratitude and warm regards,
Robert Swinger, DVM, DACVO