2024 Impact Report
Message from the President
As we reflect on 2024, I’m proud to share the progress we’ve made together. This year, the ACVIM expanded educational offerings, advanced diversity and inclusion initiatives, and deepened our commitment to the veterinary community.
These achievements are a testament to the dedication of our Diplomates, residents, partners, staff and volunteers, all of whom continue to shape the future of veterinary specialty medicine.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about the continued opportunities for innovation and collaboration as we strive to improve animal care and support those who provide it.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the ACVIM’s mission.
Sincerely,
Sarah Gillings, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)
ACVIM President
Table of Contents
Jump to:Educational Impact
In 2024, the ACVIM continued to strengthen its educational offerings, providing progressive resources and expanding access to high-quality continuing education (CE) for our members. From in-person courses to virtual learning opportunities, we ensured that our members had the tools and support they needed to advance their skills and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving field of veterinary specialty medicine.
# of ACE CE hours earned in 2024
2024 Advanced Continuing Education Committee Chair
ACE Course Testimonials
"These specialized courses are unique in that they are small enough to allow for more questions and improved learning for those passionate about a topic."
"I love that virtual CE is offered - it allows participants to not need to spend time traveling and allows us to integrate work and life more easily."
"Hands on procedures are fantastic. We can look at videos and texts books but the in-person interactions with skilled lecturers can’t be beat."
Education Programming
In 2024, the ACVIM transitioned over 6,200 users to a new and improved Learning Management System (LMS), ACVIM Elevate ensuring learners have:
- Access to a new course catalog to streamline finding the right course, registering and gaining immediate access to begin learning.
- The ability to simplify how to find CE and filter relevant content by specialty, audience type, duration and more.
Product Spotlight Webinar
The ACVIM developed the new, complimentary product spotlight webinar, which highlighted highly applicable content around SGLT2 inhibitors.
Free Resident Resources
The ACVIM partnered with IDEXX to endorse free resident-focused educational content, to better meet the needs of our residents.
VIN Debt Free Webinar Series
The ACVIM partnered with VIN to support our members and provide much needed financial resources with a debt Free webinar series.
ACVIM Forum
The 2024 ACVIM Forum in Minneapolis was a remarkable gathering of professionals from around the globe. This year, we welcomed thousands of attendees, both in-person and virtually, who engaged in more than 600 sessions presented by world-renowned experts. The ACVIM Forum continues to be an unparalleled opportunity for members to share knowledge, collaborate, and celebrate the incredible achievements of the veterinary specialty community.
Global
Virtual
Attendee Enjoyment
Speakers
Sessions
The 2024 Forum brought together over 170 exhibitors and nearly 50 sponsors, generating almost 2 million dollars in revenue to support the event.
2024 ACVIM Forum Program Committee Chair
ACVIM Forum Testimonials
2024 ACVIM Attendee:
"The 2024 Forum in Minneapolis had the strongest schedule of speakers and presentations than any other conference that I have been to in years. The Forum planning committee really did a fantastic job with all aspects of the Forum this year."
2024 ACVIM Forum Exhibitor:
"We have grown as a company exponentially, since our first year at ACVIM. The organization's support for our brand has been instrumental in that growth. There's an abundance of opportunity each year and we've really been able to execute on our strategic plans thanks to the interest we receive at the ACVIM Forum. I just hope they can come to Oklahoma in the future, so I can show them a really good time!"
Clinical Impact
The ACVIM remains at the forefront of clinical advancements, supporting new fellowship programs and driving innovations in veterinary practice. In 2024, we continued to champion specialized education and training, ensuring that ACVIM Diplomates and residents had access to the resources needed to excel in their fields. Our focus on clinical excellence is reflected in the growing number of fellows and the ongoing development of our examination and certification processes.
Fellowships
The following programs applied in the first cycle and were accepted:
- Colorado State University: Interventional Cardiology (Program Director: Brian Scansen, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology))
- UC Davis: Small Animal Clinical Infectious Disease (Program Director: Jane Sykes, BVSc (Hons), PhD, MBA, MPH, DACVIM (SAIM))
- University of Florida: Veterinary Diabetes (Program Director: Chen Gilor, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM))
Two individuals were approved and are now the first official ACVIM Fellows (both individuals had completed programs that were approved in 2024: one in Interventional Cardiology and one in Veterinary Diabetes).
2024 Certification Council Chair
Exams
- All of the ACVIM Exams completed a Job Task Analysis in 2023 resulting in updated exam Blueprints and changes to each of the assessment designs.
- All first-time exam takers in 2024 took the newly developed exams (based on the updated exam blueprints with the new format) while re-take exam Candidates retook only the sections they failed previously (based on the previous exam blueprints with previous formats), with 2024 being the final opportunity for those sections to be taken. This was a finite transition period of one year only. In 2025, all exam takers, regardless of first-time or retake status, will take the newly designed examinations.
Residency Training Program (RTP) Oversight
ACVIM has taken a leadership role in promoting the quality of veterinary specialty education by successfully advocating for the AVMA to convene a meeting on third-party oversight of training programs. As the largest organization in this space, ACVIM recognizes its responsibility to lead efforts that ensure high standards in residency training.
We are also taking steps to ensure quality in our own programs by implementing a series of activities developed by the Residency Training Program (RTP) Oversight Taskforce. Ultimately, the data derived from this program will result in a dashboard that illustrates program quality metrics. This quantifiable approach will provide clear, actionable insights into program performance, further demonstrating ACVIM’s leadership and our desire to help all stakeholders have an optimal residency experience.
Building on the work for the RTP-Oversight Taskforce, the Training Optimization Taskforce (TOTF) was established to guide a college-wide review of program requirements. This was the first time that all specialties have come together and viewed requirements as a collective body, which allows for a holistic review of college-wide program requirements and possible alignment among specialties.
Community Growth and Membership Engagement
Building a strong, engaged community is at the heart of everything we do at the ACVIM. In 2024, we saw significant growth in our membership engagement, fostering deeper connections among Diplomates, Candidates, and residents. By celebrating member achievements and expanding networking opportunities, we are creating a vibrant, supportive community that advances the profession as a whole. Volunteerism played a vital role, with dedicated members contributing their time and expertise to key initiatives, events, and committees. Additionally, our strategic partnerships with industry leaders have helped us expand educational opportunities, strengthen professional connections, and support research efforts, furthering ACVIM’s mission to advance veterinary specialty medicine.
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter (X)
LinkedIn
New Followers
By highlighting member-related accomplishments, such as JVIM articles and members-in-the-news, we used our social channels to bring awareness to specialty medicine, driving increased visibility of our members' contributions and fostering more community engagement.
Twitter (X)
Members in the News
Over the past year, the Members in the News campaign celebrated the remarkable achievements of ACVIM Diplomates, sharing 24 member accomplishments, including interview spotlights and career milestones. This initiative fostered member-to-member connections and showcased the profound contributions of our Diplomates to veterinary medicine.
As the ACVIM's leading social media campaign of the year, it drove significant engagement across platforms, amplifying the expertise and impact of specialty medicine within the veterinary community.
New Diplomates & Candidates
The ACVIM welcomed 181 new Diplomates in the Class of 2024.
2024 Membership Committee Chair
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee, among other initiatives, worked with the Membership Team and in partnership with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) to develop a Salary Benchmarking Survey for Diplomates to be deployed in the first quarter of 2025. Data from the survey will be aggregated into an interactive dashboard called the Specialty VetMed Compensation Compass. The dashboard will be the first of its kind for veterinary specialty medicine, serving as a new benefit for the ACVIM and ABVP members.
Member Benefits
Retention Rate
We continued our partnership with the Veterinary Hope Foundation and offered virtual support groups tailored to the ACVIM Community, including a Parents Support Group and a Late Career Support Group.
30 recently Boarded Diplomates received full scholarships from Chewy Health to participate in a new program, MentorVet Lead for New Diplomates.
Sponsored by Chewy Health
Ovid Discovery Platform
Two new veterinary journals were added to the Ovid Discovery Platform, a central online library providing members and Candidates with access to scientific textbooks and subsidized journals. Platform traffic peaked this year since its launch in 2022.
Searches
Article Requests
Volunteering
Strategic Industry Partner
The ACVIM proudly recognizes MedVet as a valued Strategic Industry Partner. Through their sponsorship of the ACVIM Forum and Advanced Continuing Education (ACE) courses, MedVet supports veterinary education, professional development, and networking opportunities. Their dedication to students, residents, and candidates highlights their commitment to the future of the profession. MedVet joins Purina Institute and Royal Canin as esteemed ACVIM Strategic Partners.
Industry Strategic Alliance Partner
The ACVIM is committed to delivering diverse and impactful content to our community, and we are thrilled to collaborate with dvm360 as a Strategic Alliance Partner. As a leading resource for veterinary news, expert perspectives, and education, dvm360 offers invaluable coverage of clinical advancements, business practices, hospital design, and industry events. This partnership reinforces the ACVIM’s position as a trusted source of knowledge and support for veterinary professionals, united in our mission to enhance animal care and the wellbeing of those who provide it.
Research and Scientific Contributions
ACVIM continues to drive innovation in veterinary research, supporting the dissemination of critical scientific knowledge that advances animal care. In 2024, we saw notable improvements in our editorial processes, alongside a growing international presence for our Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM). Through our research grants and newly established Endorsed Statements program, ACVIM is empowering researchers to lead the way in developing solutions to the most pressing challenges in veterinary medicine.
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM)
- 14% increase in manuscript submissions.
- 23% decrease in time until first decision.
- 11% decrease in time from submission to acceptance.
- 22% decrease in time from acceptance to publication.
- Manuscripts received from 6 additional countries.
ACVIM Endorsed Statements (AES)
- Established criteria and standard operating procedures for the ACVIM’s new AES program to begin in 2025. This new process will include requests from members to identify and rank topics for future statements. The new program also includes a methodologist, contracted by the ACVIM, who will partner with the panel chair to frame the scope and design for the research.
- Publication of one consensus statement “ECEIM consensus statement on equine kidney disease”.
In 2024, 17 ACVIM residents were honored with Resident Research Abstract Awards, recognizing their exceptional research contributions. These awards provide a platform to showcase work, build professional networks, and gain visibility within the veterinary community. Recipients develop presentation skills and connect with peers, mentors, and industry leaders, driving innovation and advancing their careers in veterinary medicine.
Social Impact
In 2024, the ACVIM reinforced its commitment to advancing the veterinary profession through a range of impactful initiatives. Efforts to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion included programs to support underrepresented communities and promote equal opportunities. Beyond DEI, the Recognition Awards honored six Diplomates for their exceptional contributions, while Success Stories on VetSpecialists.com showcased the transformative work of ACVIM Diplomates in specialized care. The Triad of Care Insider newsletter enhanced collaboration among specialists, primary care vets, and pet owners, and the Specialty Medicine Awareness Committee worked to highlight the vital role of specialty medicine in advancing animal health.
Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee Chair
Diversity Equity and Inclusion
- Launched the ACVIM’s inaugural DEI Committee to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization.
- Implemented a new Residency Training Program (RTP) requirement, ensuring anti-discrimination, equal opportunity, workplace violence prevention, and health and safety policies are in place and accessible to all residents.
- Developed a system to track and monitor RTP harassment complaints over time, supporting accountability and improved resident experiences.
- Introduced annual anonymous reviews of Ombudspersons to ensure these roles are filled by supportive and effective individuals.
- Created the ACVIM’s first-ever Candidate fee waiver program to reduce financial barriers to Board-certification for individuals from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.
Success Stories
This year, we showcased three impactful success stories on VetSpecialists, illustrating the expertise and dedication of the ACVIM Diplomates in veterinary specialty medicine. Highlighting cases in oncology, large animal internal medicine, and cardiology, these stories demonstrate patient-focused innovations, and the transformative outcomes made possible through specialized care.
Triad of Care Insider
The Triad of Care Insider, a VetSpecialists newsletter sent out quarterly throughout the year, focused on the importance of collaborative veterinary care. Targeting primary care veterinarians, each edition featured insights on enhancing the referral process and bridging the roles of specialists, primary care veterinarians, and pet owners. With tips and suggestions, the newsletter served as a valuable resource for improving patient care collaboratively. In 2024, the newsletter had an average 47% open rate.
Open Rate
Specialty Medicine Awareness Committee
2024 Specialty Medicine Awareness Committee Chair
During 2024, the Specialty Medicine Awareness Committee expanded its focus with a research project aimed at understanding pet owners' and referring veterinarians' perceptions of Board-certified veterinary specialists. They identified Trone Research Company to assist with the project, defined the primary research question and target audiences, and will work with Trone on methodology and data collection. The project will span two years (2025-2026), starting with animal owner perceptions in 2025 and primary care veterinary perceptions in 2026, with plans to publish the research and use the results in ACVIM marketing materials. Additionally, the committee developed a survey for ACVIM Diplomates on referral relationships, which will be used to inform the data collection for the perception study. The committee stays committed to maintaining VetSpecialists.com traffic, distributing eNewsletters, and producing podcast episodes to raise awareness among both pet owners and primary care veterinarians.
