Dear Fellow FAEP Members,
Exactly one year ago I sat down to write my first president’s letter and I shared with each of you what we, as an organization, had accomplished. The FAEP merged with the FVMA in February of 2011 and much has happened during the course of the last 21 months. We have conducted six continuing education conferences, three wet labs and a student appreciation day that were all extremely well received. Our two most recent conferences experienced record attendance and the dentistry wet lab that Dr. Jack Easley facilitated in Ocala (on November 16 as part of the 50th Ocala Equine Conference, November 16-18) was sold out a month before it was held.
Almost two years after our merger and in the spirit of the recent national election, I can confidently report in my final letter to you, before passing the gavel to incoming president Dr. Anne Moretta, that the state of our FVMA/FAEP union is strong.
Both of our most recent conferences, the 8th Annual Promoting Excellence Symposium at the Waldorf Astoria Naples and the 50th Annual Ocala Equine Conference, went very well. Our speakers did a great job and the plan is to include some of their material in upcoming editions of the Practitioner. The FVMA staff and our Executive Director Phil Hinkle were organized and efficient (as usual). Thanks also to our industry council members whose support makes these events possible. The fishing tournament was a big success and will allow us to continue funding our annual scholarship to a deserving University of Florida senior veterinary student. The FAEP Council is in the process of reviewing all of the attendee comments and, as we work to prepare next year’s schedule, we will adjust accordingly.
Our conferences for 2013 will include (but are not limited to) the 4th Annual Promoting Excellence Equine Foot Symposium at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Orlando from June 28-29, the 9th Annual Promoting Excellence Symposium at the Boca Raton Resort and Racquet Club from October 17-20, and the 51st Annual Ocala Equine Conference from November 15-18.
It has been my honor to serve as your 2012 FAEP council president. Thanks for your support and I look forward to seeing you at some (or all!) of our upcoming events in the next year. The FAEP Council and FVMA extend our best wishes to you and your families for a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!
Sincerely,
Greg BonenClark, DVM, Diplomate ACVS
2012 FAEP Council President