FelineVMA at the 2025 AVMA VLC

Submitted by Holly Dodson, DVM, and Tina Hall, DVM, DABVP (Feline).

What an honor it is to have been chosen by the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA) to attend the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference as a Rising Leader. I am still so thankful to the leadership of the FelineVMA who selected me to have this opportunity. I have never been to the Windy City or any conference like this, and I was equal parts excited and nervous embarking on this journey.

At the start of the first day of the conference, I attended a lecture where the speaker, a veterinary neurologist, discussed confidence in the profession and how it’s not our shortcomings that define us but how we respond to them and grow from them. What I loved most about this lecture was how realistically he approached the topic and offered viable solutions that can be implemented by anyone, not just those in leadership. After this lecture, I felt much more at ease being there representing the FelineVMA.

As the conference continued, I attended many lectures on various topics. I learned so many new communication methods, both verbal and non-verbal. One of my favorite lectures was given by someone who previously consulted for the FBI. One of the key messages of his lecture was that we are always communicating with those around us and that we should be more intentional with our words and body language to ensure we are communicating the messages we want those around us to receive. Our body language reveals our intentions not just our thoughts. Since his lecture, I’ve employed many of his tips not just in leadership, but even in my day to practice working with clients.

I also had the opportunity to network with peers new and old. I was delighted to see several local veterinarians I knew as well as a veterinary school professor in my peer group. One of the highlights for me was “connecting with a cause” which was a networking event centered around making pet beds for the Chicago Animal Shelter as well as getting to know other attendees of the conference that I would not have otherwise met. The most important aspect of leadership is giving back to those around us, and this event perfectly encapsulated that.

On the final day, I was able to watch the AVMA House of Delegates meet for their Winter Session to discuss the most pressing current issues in veterinary medicine. This was truly like watching CSPAN in real life, and I was absolutely enthralled. I knew I found policy interesting before this conference, but this reiterated to me how exciting it can truly be. It was amazing hearing different voices in various niches of the profession passionately and respectfully conveying their points of view and how these policies don’t just affect those of us in our specific fields, but the profession as a whole.

I also was grateful to be able to visit Chicago for the first time and get to experience the culture of such an amazing city. I had perhaps the best Italian food I’ve ever eaten, and don’t even get me started on the deep dish. I was also delighted as a Southern girl to be able to experience snow, but I don’t think I’ll be missing that cold any time soon.

I met so many inspiring people and made professional connections and even new friendships. I am so excited to continue my work in leadership, both with the FelineVMA and in my day-to-day practice. I left the conference thankful for my experience and with a renewed passion for leadership, especially in feline medicine!

-Holly Dodson, DVM


Greetings from Canada! I had the honor of being selected by the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA) leadership as a Rising Leader to represent the organization at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Veterinary Leadership Conference. I was very excited to attend but, if I’m being honest, also quite nervous about the conference. As a Canadian, I was unsure of exactly what to expect from the scope and responsibilities of the AVMA, but as we descended through the clouds and Chicago O’Hare International Airport came into view, I was fully focused and ready to learn all about the AVMA leadership and the House of Delegates and delve into the lectures and networking opportunities that were offered. 

During the three days of the conference, I was a part of several profoundly inspiring and challenging leadership-building experiences. Notably, on the first day we began with an early morning Improv Workshop. Acting, let alone improv, is way outside my comfort zone, but with the comradery and support of the new and more experienced leaders in attendance and the atmosphere of enthusiasm, the session turned out to be a fantastic icebreaker and kick-off to the conference that set the tone for the conference: I came out of the session feeling like everyone was in the same boat, regardless of their background and experience.

Invigorated, I went on to attend several amazing lectures on the topics of empowered leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine where we learned about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable and the importance of advocating for others. These sessions were eye-opening, to say the least. I was inspired to reflect on how to empathize and recognize the challenges those who are different than myself face in everyday life and work environments. Also, I attended the reference committee session where I was fortunate to witness how the thought processes behind seemingly small changes made in policy language can have very impactful changes to the outcome of policies. Going into these sessions, I already felt a strong commitment to equity and diversity, but I was incredibly moved by the way these experiences shifted the focus from a surface-level, corporate recognition of diversity to a deeper and more personal reckoning with the challenges individuals face in the absence of committed diversity, equity, and inclusion measures. They were a good reminder to not be complacent and that diversity, equity, and inclusion are vital for progressing the industry that requires real on-the-ground work and advocacy.

The AVMA organized a Conversations Circle Lunch, where Veterinary Leadership Conference attendees were organized into groups. I loved the fact that we emerged from some very powerful sessions about diversity and leadership into incredibly diverse groups of motivated professionals. As a veterinarian who has focused on urban-centric feline medicine most of her life, I appreciated the opportunity to exchange stories and leadership experiences with veterinary professionals from other backgrounds. The day ended with an amazing, engaging dinner and gathering of the FelineVMA leaders attending the conference, where I got to learn the impact the FelineVMA makes at leadership levels and get to know everyone on a more personal level. On the last day of the conference, I had a chance to attend the AVMA House of Delegates winter session to watch active leadership in action. There, I witnessed delegates casting votes to make changes in policies and stimulate discussions on the leading and emerging topics in veterinary medicine. I loved witnessing the progressive leadership and powerful change being set — vote by vote and discussion by discussion—by the attendees of our wonderful profession.

I left the conference both inspired and challenged after meeting and networking with like-minded veterinary professionals. I am truly honored to have been afforded this experience by the FelineVMA to make connections, exchange ideas, and be heard. It reinforced in me the belief that veterinary leadership promotes progressive teambuilding and leads by example by holding space for everyone with the goal of fair treatment and full participation. The FelineVMA is a highly-respected leader in innovative, compassionate feline veterinary care, and I look forward to opportunities with the FelineVMA to shape the progressive future of feline welfare and medicine.

– Tina Hall, DVM, DABVP (Feline)