ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COLLEGE
AN ENGAGED PROFESSIONAL MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
The College is focused on its strategic objective to promote professionalism
in the practice of veterinary medicine. This includes providing resources
to veterinarians that promote reflection on professionalism. One of the
guiding principles in the Guidance on Professionalism for Veterinarians is
the veterinarian’s responsibilities to the profession and society. Recognition
of the privilege of profession-based regulation and the responsibility to
merit this privilege by seeking trustworthiness and building confidence in
each member individually and the profession is the basis for this article that
focuses on member engagement with the College.
A profession has many leadership parts.
The regulatory agency is one important
part, as are the various professional
associations, the academic institutions
that train the profession, the examining
boards, etc. All of these parts require
engaged professionals to function and
perform.
Why be engaged with your regulator? A
licensed veterinarian’s perspective.
I have always been inspired by
my colleagues who are engaged
in leadership opportunities in the
profession. This has included my
professors, my employers, colleagues
who own practices, and colleagues
involved as leaders in their communities,
in professional associations, and at the
CVO. I wondered how I too could get
involved in leadership opportunities.
What interested me? What time could I
commit? These were good questions.
One question that I didn’t specifically ask
myself, but instinctively knew the answer
to, was “Why do I want to get involved?”
I already considered myself engaged in
my personal growth as a professional. I
was keen on maintaining and enhancing
my knowledge and skills through regular
continuing professional development. I
read most of the College communications
to keep up with new standards. I had a
good network of colleagues to support
me in my practice. I was developing my
interests in shelter medicine, animal
behavior, and the human-animal bond.
I was strongly motivated to be the best
practitioner I could be.
I wanted to get involved because I knew
that expanding my outreach could lead
to increased satisfaction in my career,
an opportunity for growth and learning,
and personal feelings of reward. It is an
opportunity to contribute your voice to
the conversation that provides leadership
to the profession. These were the main
reasons why I put my name forward
and experienced the rewards of being
engaged with the College.
First, I joined a statutory Committee at
the College. The primary benefit for me
was the strong sense of collegiality. This
is felt in all interactions at the College –
with staff and colleagues. I immediately
felt supported and heard. My voice
mattered when making decisions. And,
I held myself accountable for what I
contributed, as I understood the impact
of those decisions. As I have heard from
fellow Committee members, being on this
committee contributes greatly to one’s
continuing professional development.
Professional practice standards and
regulations become embedded into
your practice, as you understand their
importance and the significance of not
understanding them. You are reminded
of the professionalism and ethics that are
vital to being the best practitioner you
can be.
I continued to be involved and more
engaged with the College – once the
College finds an engaged practitioner,
they encourage continued involvement.
I joined the Peer Review of Medical
Records as a peer reviewer. I also
contributed my voice to consultations
where the College is seeking input on
a new policy, standard or program.
Dr. Kim Lambert
Associate Registrar - Quality Practice
These represent just a few of the many
functions of the College that require
veterinarian input and expertise to
effectively regulate the profession in the
public interest.
Many of my colleagues have been
involved with the College as engaged
professionals providing their expertise
to assist with regulating the profession.
If you know one, ask them why they
became involved and hear their story.
An advantage of being involved is that it
generates an understanding of the role
and purpose of the College, which helps
to reduce the anxiety and fear that is
often associated with one’s regulator. It
is evident that there are shared common
goals between the profession and the
regulator: quality care and patient safety,
ethical care, collegial care, and public
trust.
How are you engaged in the conversation
that provides leadership to the
profession? Stay tuned for the next
article in this series to learn how you can
contribute your expertise to the College.
Instilling public confidence in veterinary regulation
cvo.org
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