College Connection Winter 2024 | Page 2

College Connection | Winter 2024

Legacy Council continues work on technology policy

The Legacy Council met on December 4 , 2024 . Highlights and replays from policy discussions are available on the College website at cvo . org / Council . Council considered the following items in December .

Annual Council Meeting

The Annual Council Meeting includes committee reports , a presentation on the audited financial statements , and the 2024 Annual Report . Dr . Wright provided an overview of the College ’ s work in 2024 , an exciting time as the College began transition to the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario .

After-Hours Care Task Force recommendations

The Legacy Council welcomed the report and recommendations from its after-hours veterinary care task force . The recommendations will be shared with the Transition Council . The task force , which included veterinarians and veterinary technicians from a range of practice environments , analyzed the provision of after-hours veterinary care in Ontario . The task force recommended maintaining the current regulations concerning after-hours care in the new regulatory framework , with increased clarity around referrals , and responsibilities upon discharge . It is also recommended that College policy clarifies “ reasonably prompt ” and “ medically necessary ”. A replay is on the website .

Use of Medical Devices Enabled by AI

The College ’ s Ontario Veterinary Regulatory Innovation Panel supports work related to the use of technology and innovation , including the recently adopted Position Statement , “ Embracing Innovation and the Digital Age in Veterinary Medicine ,” which provides advice to mitigate risk in the use of technology in veterinary medicine . The Panel assisted with developing a guidance document to support the use of tools enabled by artificial intelligence . The document provides key considerations for veterinarians when selecting medical devices enabled by artificial intelligence to advance care options for patients . The publication is available on the College website .

By-Law Amendments

The Legacy Council reviewed the input received during the recent consultation on draft by-law changes . As always , Council values the consultation input from the public , licensed members , and stakeholders . The Legacy Council approved the changes which permit extended terms for the non-Council committee members and sunset the Governance , Audit and Risk Committee . These changes enable the Legacy Council to manage its resources during the transition period and do not impact the longer-term decisions of a future Council . A replay is on the College website .

Listowel veterinarian , Dr . Jessica Retterath , leads College

Dr . Jessica Retterath , of Listowel , Ontario , is the 2025 College President .

“ It is a privilege to represent and support the College as we evolve into the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario ,” said Dr . Retterath .

Dr . Retterath graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2011 and has practised with dairy and beef cattle in southwestern Ontario . She currently works for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency . Dr . Retterath joined Council in 2019 and was elected to the Executive Committee in 2023 .

“ This is an interesting time as we continue the work of the College under our current legislation , while the Transition Council is working on policies for the next version of the College . Although our roles are distinct , we share a commitment to supporting the delivery of safe , quality veterinary medicine in Ontario . We are both focused on the public interest ,” said Dr . Retterath .

Joining Dr . Retterath on the Executive Committee are : Dr . Louise Kelly , First Vice-President ; Dr . Lena Levison , Second Vice-President ; Dr . Wade

Wright , Past President and Cathy Hecimovich , Member at Large .

Photo : ( l-r ) Dr . Levison , Ms . Hecimovich , Dr . Retterath , Dr . Wright , and Dr . Kelly .

Public confidence in veterinary regulation cvo . org 2