The key and first step, for any veterinarian interested in a discipline they are interested in and want to become more familiar with, is to get into the networks of colleagues that deal with the discipline.
For Aquatic Veterinary Medicine, I would recommend subscribing to AquaVetMed e-News (simply register in the free on-line Aquatic Veterinary Directory at www.AquaVetMed.info and select the e-News option).
I would also recommend joining the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (www.WAVMA.org) that currently has members from over 40 countries on all continents. WAVMA member services and programs, including newsletters, discussion listservs, Continuing Education & Professional Development (CEPD) meetings and webinars, etc., bring together individuals and allow networking between experts and those just starting out.
To help veterinary students WAVMA is helping develop WAVMA Student Chapters at veterinary schools throughout the world. A new Aquatic Veterinary Practitioner Certification (Cert-AqVP) Program is being initiated in 2013. The Cert-AqVP Program is intended to help any veterinarian acquire “Day-1” competency in 9 core areas, that are necessary to practice aquatic veterinary medicine, but is generally not covered in most veterinary curricular.
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A. David Scarfe PhD, DVM, MRSSAf
American Veterinary Medical Association
Direct phone: (847) 285-6634
dscarfe@avma.org
