Student Membership
Students Join Free
Start today to connect with the world of organized veterinary medicine.
We can help you prepare for success. The earlier you make the right decisions about loan repayment, the less you could pay.
Learn more about the professional world you will be entering. As a student member you will receive a weekly email newsletter, invitations to webinars and updates on key events affecting NY veterinarians.
Programs for Students
As a student member you would have access to a wide range of member benefits at no cost. We highlighted a few below that are helpful for students.
Get ready financially
Many recent graduates struggle to adjust from a student budget to the working world. There’s suddenly a lot of money coming in, but also some big expenses-like loan repayment.
NYSVMS has been working one-on-one with recent graduates to understand their challenges and to deliver the help they need. From this experience we can let you know what to expect and how to prepare for it.
It is very important to choose the right loan repayment program for your needs. Join our education classes while still a student, and then take advantage of our free money mentoring program as soon as you start working in NYS.
Learn about the industry
We would love you to join our webinars. You can get a broader perspective on veterinary medicine and practicing in NY State.
If you have any interest in Integrative Medicine you have come to the right place. We have a very strong Integrative Medicine committee that puts on some of the best speakers in the field.
Or you can join a live radiology webinar series and work with our members in helping to interpret radiographs.
We also have panels where our members discuss how they apply new technology, for example for more efficient record-keeping. There are sessions on loan repayments, animal welfare and even how to stay out of trouble with the licensing board.
When you are on the call drop a note in the chat to say you are a student and you will receive a warm welcome.
Organized Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarian’s aren’t the only people who deeply care about animals. But sometimes the well-meaning intentions of animal lovers can ignore some of the practical issues. Veterinarians get organized to make sure that new laws and regulations really do improve the lives of animals.
For example, some owners advocate for veterinarians to pay steep financial penalties if something goes wrong during treatment. Much more than the cost of the animal or the treatment itself. But we have seen how non-economic damages like this have driven up costs and changed the way care is given in human medicine, usually not in a good way.
As a student member you can start getting a background in organized veterinary medicine. You will hear about our work on current legislation, and could even get involved with our Government Relations committee.
Programs for when you graduate
Your NYSVMS membership is also free the year you graduate. Here are some of the programs you can take advantage of. Apply to our Power of 10 leadership program. Shape the industry as a member of our Committee for Leadership Advancement.
Power of 10 program
The Power of Ten Leadership Program is a NYSVMS initiative designed to cultivate leadership capacity and provide learning experiences that will enrich the individual and benefit the individual’s practice, community and profession. This program will provide ten veterinarians with leadership development sessions over the course of a year. NYSVMS will provide topic experts and meeting expenses at no charge for participants to attend sessions that not only convey the key learning points about leadership, but deepen the understanding of class members on a number of related topics.
There are four half-day sessions, with a mix of virtual and in-person attendance. Some are held concurrently with Executive Board meetings providing you with an opportunity to attend the next day. Program Alumni have gone on to many leadership positions within NYSVMS and our Regional Groups. Its a great way to start making a difference to your profession.
Committee For Leadership Advancement
The Committee for Leadership Advancement (CLA) was created to encourage recent graduates to become more involved in organized veterinary medicine and NYSVMS. CLA members meet as a committee, the day before quarterly Board meetings, and work on projects to address the needs of our national, state and regional organizations and veterinary students. Currently, CLA gives a presentation to students at Cornell CVM, on topics such as life after vet school and the latest issues that affect the practice of veterinary medicine. CLA also helps organize the Power of 10 leadership program.
Benefits to becoming a CLA member:
- A chance to attend AVMA House of Delegates meeting and leadership conference in January in Chicago for the opportunity to meet with colleagues, school faculty, administrators, and consultants. (NYSVMS provides funds for one member to attend every year.)
- Attend all 4 Board meetings (one night hotel is covered by NYSVMS), where you will receive updates on legislative and clinical practice issues. These meetings have inspired CLA members to become more active on both the state and regional level.
- CLA members receive free yearly NYSVMS annual dues. (Regional dues are not included).
Requirements:
- Must have graduated from veterinary school within the past 15 years and be a current member of NYSVMS.
- Attend at least two CLA meeting in person and one by conference call each year.
- An interest in giving back to our profession by educating ourselves, colleagues and students and a willingness to develop projects to serve new graduates, as well as NYSVMS.
If you are interested in joining CLA, email Stephanie Quirini.
