| Cindy Adams MSW, PhD University Of Calgary, Veterinary Medicine MSW (Master’s of Social Work, University of Calgary); PhD (Veterinary Epidemiology, Ontario Veterinary College) Dr. Adams is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Calgary, Veterinary Medicine. Her primary role includes directing the Clinical Communication Program across the first 3 years of the DVM program, and conducting research related to communication in small and large animal practice settings and research that has to do with veterinary education and human-animal interactions. She is called upon to assist schools (veterinary and animal health technology) across North America to design and deliver communication programs. She consults nationally and internationally in veterinary medicine on all applications of communication in veterinary medicine. She is the founder and Chair of the International Conference on Communication in Veterinary Medicine, founder and Board member for the International Veterinary Communication Institute, Faculty member for the Institute for Healthcare Communication, New Haven Ct. Her most recent contribution to the profession is a handbook entitled: Skills for Communicating in Veterinary Medicine. This book was written for all members of the practice team as well as those responsible for training and coaching communication in a variety of settings. | |
| Elpida Artemiou BSc, MSc, PhD, AFAMEE Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Artemiou is currently an Associate Professor of Clinical Communication in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM). She began her professional career in counseling at RUSVM and continued to complete a PhD in Medical Education with an emphasis on novel teaching methodologies and outcome assessments. For the past couple of years, Dr. Artemiou has focused her career in exploring e-learning teaching, learning methods and in incorporating blended learning in the classroom. Dr. Artemiou has developed and implemented outcome assessments to assess students’ communication competence and established the role of simulated clients as raters. Through her teaching, Dr. Artemiou encourages compassionate care and mindful, reflective daily practice while promoting diversity and embracing inclusivity. Her interests include communication skills, teaching, learning and assessment, workplace learning, leadership development, human-animal interactions, wellness, and the One Health approach. | |
| Serge Chalhoub BSc., DVM, DACVIM (SAIM) University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Born and raised in Montreal, Dr. Chalhoub graduated from the DVM program at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMV) of the University of Montreal in 2004. He then completed a one-year rotating small animal internship at the same institution and then pursued a residency in small animal internal medicine at the Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York City. Once completed in 2009 he stayed on at the AMC as their first renal/hemodialysis fellow. During this time, he was also trained in interventional radiology/endoscopy. Dr. Chalhoub is currently a senior instructor at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM). He was the recipient of the 2013 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Teacher of the Year Award, the 2015 University of Calgary Team Teacher of the Year Award, and the 2017 Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award. Dr. Chalhoub is heavily involved in UCVM’s communication and professionals skills courses. He is the co-coordinator of the UCVM-CUPS Pet Health Clinic for disadvantaged Calgarians which promotes service learning with a focus on communications skills for UCVM’s 3rd year students. | |
| Jason Coe DVM, PhD Ontario Veterinary College Dr. Jason Coe is an Associate Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College. After graduating from the College in 2001, he returned from mixed-animal practice to complete a PhD in the area of veterinary communications in 2008. In the same year, Jason joined the Ontario Veterinary College in the Department of Population Medicine where he has established an active research program examining the human-animal bond as well as the role of interpersonal communications on the outcomes of veterinary care. In his current role at the College, he co-coordinates the clinical communication curriculum across all 4 years of the veterinary program and is involved in teaching students about the relationships that exist between people and animals. In 2010, Jason was awarded the Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada Chair in Communications dedicated to improving the relationship between companion-animals and people through research and education. When not dedicating his time to these activities, Jason enjoys personal time with his wife, son and 2 daughters. | |
| Stephanie Keroack DVM, IPSAV, DEA in Toxicology Royal Canin Canada Dr. Stephanie Keroack obtained her Veterinary Degree and Internship in small animal medicine and surgery from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Montreal, followed by a post-graduate degree in Toxicology in France. In addition to veterinary training, Stephanie has pursued an important number of training courses in sales, veterinary communications, coaching and facilitation. Dr. Keroack has a varied professional background including experience in private practice, academics, and industry. She is currently a Scientific Communications Specialist with Royal Canin Canada, offering in field education to veterinary health care teams. Her main areas of interest are veterinary communication, nutrition and overall promoting high standards of care in wellness and medical recommendations for companion animals. Outside of work, you can most often see Stephanie riding her horse, running on trails or spending time with her family, which includes a dog, two cats and a horse in addition to a few humans! | |
| Suzanne M. Kurtz PhD University of Calgary Suzanne M. Kurtz is Professor Emerita, University of Calgary, Canada, where she served the Faculties of Education and Medicine (1976 through 2005), and directed the Faculty of Medicine’s communication program for twenty-eight years. In 2006, she became Nestlé Purina Professor of Clinical Communication (2006 – 2011) and founding director of the Clinical Communication Program (2006-2015) at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University; late in 2017 she became Professor Emerita there. Focusing her career on improving communication and educational practices in the professions, she has developed and consulted widely on communication curricula and assessment, coaching techniques and teaching methods. Dr. Kurtz has worked with veterinarians and physicians across the specialties and with students, interns and residents, patients and clients, technicians and nurses, educators, administrators, industry partners, government agencies and professional organizations in both professions. Co-developer of Pfizer’s FRANK program, she also co-organized the eight International Conferences on Communication in Veterinary Medicine. Contributing across diverse cultural and disciplinary lines, she has collaborated on several health-related international development projects in Nepal, Thailand, the Philippines, and South Africa. Dr. Kurtz has been an invited visiting scholar at several universities and continues to consult nationally and internationally at all levels of veterinary and medical practice and education. | |
| Christy Leslie BSc, DVM, MBA Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Calgary After completing her Bachelor of Science in Biological Science, Christy attended the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. To further her clinical skills and experience, Christy completed a rotating small animal internship, also at OVC. Afterwards, Christy headed west to Calgary to join the emergency team at the CARE Centre. She spent several years there in clinical practice prior to exploring her interest in business management and leadership, through completion of a Master in Business Administration at the University of Calgary. Christy then joined VCA Canada as Director of Client Experience to develop, implement and manage a nationwide strategic client experience (CX) program in over 80 veterinary clinics. Through this experience, Christy developed a deep passion for role of exceptional CX in practicing excellent veterinary medicine. Christy carried this passion with her as she moved into operations roles, first as Assistant General Manager at Calgary North Veterinary Hospital, and then headed back to where her career began by taking on the role of General Manager at the CARE Centre. Recently, Christy has taken the opportunity to build on all these experiences to take on various roles including Sessional Instructor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, VCA Canada Director of Veterinary Mentorship and Development, an Instructor at Bow Valley College, and working with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association. Christy has a passion for the profession and enjoys these opportunities to funnel that passion into business, management, mentorship, teaching and veterinary regulation. | |
| Michelle McArthur BA (Psych) Hons, D (Clin) Psych University of Adelaide Dr. Michelle McArthur is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Animal and Veterinary Science at the University of Adelaide. She developed and leads the clinical communication and wellbeing program across the veterinary bioscience and DVM degrees. She is called upon nationally and internationally to provide skills-based communication workshops as well as mental health and wellbeing seminars in the veterinary medicine setting. Michelle is co-project lead on the Australian VetSet2Go resilience research project. She actively researches and publishes in the field of communication and wellbeing in veterinary medicine. She is also a practicing clinical psychologist. In her spare time, she loves being with her family, exploring new places and foods, coaching basketball and cooking. | |
| Mary Mauldin Pereira DVM Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Mary Mauldin Pereira was born and raised in South Carolina and is a Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) graduate. Mary is currently an Associate Professor of Clinical Communication in the Department of Clinical Sciences at RUSVM and is committed to preparing students to become members and leaders of the veterinary professional healthcare team. Her research interests include novel teaching methodologies, clinical reasoning skills, virtual learning environments and parasitological diagnostic methods. In addition to her teaching and research, she is devoted to serve and advance animal welfare internationally. Mary is the founder and President of One Love Pets, a nonprofit organization thatprovides parasite prevention and treatments to animals in need worldwide and offers community outreach regarding the importance of parasite control. Mary also serves as Vice-Chair on the board of directors for the Basseterre Animal Rescue Centre (BARC), which will be the first animal shelter on the island of St. Kitts. Outside of these roles, she enjoys family time with her husband and two daughters. | |
| Teresa Schiller DVM, CCRT, Dip ACVS University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Schiller is a Senior Instructor at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation in 1987 at WCVM in Saskatoon, she completed a one year rotating small animal Internship and then a 3-year small animal surgery residency at North Carolina State University. As a boarded small animal surgeon, Dr. Schiller has provided referral surgery services in Alberta and British Columbia for the past 27 years. She joined the University of Calgary in 2014 and currently is the Associate Dean Clinical Programs and Chair of the Professional Skills Program. In 2014 she received the CVMA’s Teacher of the Year Award. After years of referral practice, Dr. Schiller knows the importance of good communication and is actively involved in UCVM’s student communication teaching labs. | |
| Darcy Shaw DVM, MVSc, MBA, DACVIM Dept. of Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), University of Prince Edward Island, Canada Darcy H. Shaw is Professor Emeritus of small animal internal medicine in the Dept. of Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), University of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Over his 30 plus years as a veterinarian, Darcy has served as a clinician, educator and administrator and held leadership positions such as Teaching Hospital Director, Department Chair and Associate Dean of Professional Services. He is a Past President (2000-2001) of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and is a board member of the Veterinary Leadership Institute. Darcy lead the development of the communication skills teaching program at the AVC and is a regular trainer for the Institute for Healthcare Communication in its annual veterinary faculty development train-the-trainer program. Darcy has participated in innovative leadership development programs such as Leading Organizations to Health and Courage to Lead. He is a certified facilitator for the Center for Courage and Renewal and co-facilitates an annual retreat (Leading with Integrity) for leaders in veterinary medicine. The first and only leadership retreat of its kind in the veterinary profession. He also co-leads the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Leadership Academy. Over his career, Darcy has developed a deep appreciation for the dedication and passion of people within the veterinary community and the compelling need to support each other, communicate effectively and lead with integrity and authenticity. Darcy and his wife, Shelley Burton, a clinical pathologist at AVC, live in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Darcy’s personal passions include cooking, cycling, cats and travel. | |
| John Tait BSC, MS (FIN.), DVM, MBA, CFP Private Practitioner and Vice President of Veterinary Centers of America John Tait has been a private practitioner for 9 years, owned/managed 2 hospitals. He then was the Vice President of Veterinary Centers of America, the largest acquisition and consolidation Group in U. S. for 3 ½ years, where he was responsible for 40+ practices in US Midwest and the evaluation of and purchase planning and integration of new practices. He also worked as Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University during this time teaching business/financial planning and practice management to vet students. For a 5 year term, John was the Director of Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ontario Veterinary College, and the managing Partner, responsible for all mgt. portfolio of Ontario Veterinary Group, a practice acquisitions group with 7 practices and 155 staff, sold in 2014. Currently he is in practice management and a general consultant and speaker, specializing in practice and related or similar small business evaluations, feasibility studies, startups, transition planning and personal financial planning. John is also a part time Assistant Professor at Ontario Veterinary College, teaching personal financial, career planning and practice economics and mgt. to vet students. John is the winner of 2016 CVMA Most Outstanding Teacher Award. | |
| Becky Taylor MA, RVT Mosaic Veterinary Partners Becky Taylor has been active in her career as a Registered Veterinary Technologist for over 25 years. She graduated from Fairview College in 1993 and worked in a mixed animal practice for over 6 years until 1999 when she joined the teaching team at Olds College spending 19 years instructing in the animal health programs; AHT, VMR, VTA.
In June, 2018 she began a new role as Director of Communication and Culture with Mosaic Veterinary Partners where she actively works with front line veterinary practice staff in a supported business model. Becky’s passion for working with people has led to her devoting much of her professional development to learning and teaching communication skills in an applied manner. She has been active on provincial and national veterinary organizations in many roles. In 2016, Becky completed a Master of Arts in Professional Communication through Royal Roads University which included a final research paper focusing on the communication practices of RVTs in practice. An avid advocate for practicing communication skills within the veterinary profession, she has taught courses in communication, coaches and examines veterinary students at UCVM in simulated communication settings. She has spoken extensively on the topic of communication to various groups in the animal health industry and is well respected for her enthusiasm and knowledge in that area. She is a self proclaimed communication nerd! | |
| Iván López Vásquez DVM Vetcoach
Ivan comes from a family of veterinarians, his father and older brother share the same passion. He graduated from the Universidad de Concepción, Chile, in 1991, worked for a couple of years in small animal practice, later he chosed to develop himself in commercial and marketing areas, occupying various positions in multinational companies in the pet’s market in his native country.
Since 2008 he is the CEO of Vetcoach, an organizational and business consultancy firm, specialized in the veterinary pet’s industry for Latin America, where his vision is to create "a new standard for the veterinary world".
Iván, has studies in marketing, innovation, coaching and positive psychology. Today he is a strategic consultant of companies in organizational development and innovation, Coach ARO (analysis of the organizational role), creator of initiatives to improve the level of well-being (happiness) of students and veterinarians, as well as high-value training programs for veterinary entrepreneurs and their teams, in management issues, well-being, communication skills and positive leadership.
Iván has written several management articles for veterinary journals and is an international lecturer in Latin America.
When not dedicating his time to these activities, Ivan enjoys personal time with his family, traveling, enjoy a barbecue, a good beer or wine.
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