The work

• We have met with legislators about including veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) in healthcare recruitment and retention efforts New Mexico is planning for human medicine.
• We are bringing veterinary staffing needs, rural access, and the realities of keeping skilled professionals in New Mexico into those discussions. Inclusion is being pursued; it has not yet been secured.

The work

• We are also speaking with legislators about funding, including potential state support for Project ECHO veterinary learning.
• Working with our legislative consultant and collaborators to explain the need, develop the request, and follow up. Funding is being sought; no appropriation is being presented as secured.

The work

• Engaging state leaders, including a working discussion with Lt. Governor Howie Morales about veterinary priorities.
• Preparing for the 2027 legislative session with our Legislative Affairs Committee and professional legislative consultant. Focus areas include workforce, RVTs, scope of practice and patient safety, license portability, rural access, and public health.

The work

• Launched the NMVMA Advocacy Group, our nonpartisan Political Action Committee, to build political support around member-informed, Board-approved priorities.
• Its priorities include practice viability, fair competition, veterinarian-led care and patient safety, and practice ownership and succession.
• The Legislative Affairs Committee handles policy recommendations; the Board approves positions; the PAC supports aligned state-level candidates and political engagement. PAC contributions are voluntary and separate from membership dues.

The work

• Developing live, virtual, case-based learning with Project ECHO.
• Connecting practitioners and subject-matter experts around real problems, with particular value for rural communities.

The work

• Working with NMSU Global on flexible online resources, short courses, and microlearning.
• Building a subject-matter-expert network to advise, review, teach, and develop content.

The work

• Connecting live programs, on-demand resources, mentoring, and member learning needs through one strategy.
• Planning education around the realities of time away from practice, travel, and cost.

The work

• Monthly expert webinars included with NMVMA membership through our VMAE partnership.
• Practice-focused learning on the business and people side of veterinary medicine, with on-demand resources.

The work

• Maintaining the Relief Veterinarian List to connect relief professionals and practices.
• Working to improve listing information and gather feedback on what relief veterinarians need from NMVMA.
• Developing a more consistent way to gather relief veterinarians’ service areas, practice interests, and feedback so the list is easier to maintain and more useful as a member benefit.

The work

• Providing the NMVMA Career Center and New Mexico veterinary career resources.
• Connecting professionals with opportunities and practices with potential team members.
• Our Veterinary Careers in New Mexico guide brings together practice settings, licensing links, and recruitment resources to help professionals explore a future here.

The work

• Connecting veterinary professionals with Peer Assistance & Wellness Support (PAWS) and wellbeing resources.

The work

• Connecting veterinary medicine with public health, agriculture, and environmental health.
• Developing shared learning and relationships around disease recognition, preparedness, and community needs.

The work

• Planning the NMPHA | NMVMA Health Policy Forum at Isleta Resort & Casino with the New Mexico Public Health Association.
• Planning topics include zoonotic and vector-borne disease, mental health, Food as Medicine, and disaster preparedness.

The work

• Sharing practical Animal Health Notes and the Animal Care Guide for pets, horses, livestock, public health, and preparedness.
• Showing the public how veterinary teams support animals, families, agriculture, and healthy communities.
• Expanded the guide to 23 Animal Health Notes, including equine and livestock topics, preparedness, animal movement basics, and heat and drought concerns.

The work

• Connecting students and early-career veterinarians with mentoring, career conversations, and scholarship opportunities.
• Building on the 2026 SWVS mentorship gathering and developing additional student and early-career leadership pathways.

The work

• Creating opportunities for mentoring, professional relationships, and regional continuing education.
• Encouraging New Mexico-relevant topics and participation in future symposium programs.

The work

• Developing student and early-career leadership opportunities, including proposed Foundation advisory participation, committee involvement, and One Health engagement.
• Using conversations with interested students to match their interests with manageable roles. Governance roles remain subject to the appropriate approvals.

The work

• Bringing Belong. Contribute. Thrive. to life through relationships, shared knowledge, and opportunities to participate.
• Helping members find a useful connection or contribution that fits their interests and time.

The work

• Testing optional, members-only WhatsApp networks for interest-based conversation and peer connection.
• Adding another way to connect alongside VetList, email, the website, and in-person gatherings.

The work

• Sharing association news, resources, learning opportunities, and events through The Roadrunner and the website.
• Helping members locate relevant professional contacts, updates, and practical next steps.