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<>A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia with a strong focus in pain management
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Could you introduce yourself to our members?
Like many veterinarians, I have several jobs. I am still teaching veterinary students in academia and I also see pain patients in a private practice. Right now, I spend most of my time working for the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management or IVAPM. I was just elected their next President and I am so excited!
What topics were you speaking on during WSAVA 2022?
My topics were some of my favorites! I was fortunate to be able to share knowledge on local anesthetic drugs and techniques, on anesthesia and pain management for cats and on sedating and anesthetizing difficult-to-handle patients. I was also invited to give a ‘State of the Art Lecture’ and I chose the topic ‘The Intertwine of Fear and Pain: Critical to Treat Both’. I think it is very important to understand that pain can cause fear in our patients and, unfortunately, fear can make the pain level worse. So, it is important to both treat pain itself and to decrease fear with gentle handling, and maybe drugs like anxiolytics, to provide the most effective analgesia.
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What is your approach to speaking or lecturing generally?
Well, I try to make the talks engaging. I hope that they are! I always spend some time thinking about what veterinarians could learn at the meeting that could be immediately implemented in their practice. And I use my own knowledge of being a general practitioner to try and put together a practical lecture with a lot of easy-to-use tips. And then I put all of my energy into making the actual presentation engaging. I like to energize the audience!
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How did you feel when you found out you were WSAVA Speaker of the year?
I couldn’t believe it! This is the biggest award that I have ever received, and I was absolutely speechless for several days. I am humbled and deeply honored by this amazing recognition.
You are joining us for WSAVA 2023 in Lisbon. What are you looking forward to about it?
Yes! I am so excited. I love history and I can’t wait to explore the historical sites of Lisbon. I will discuss mostly different topics and some similar topics but not exactly the same so there will be new tips and information in all of the lectures.
Any tips to pass on to other speakers or would-be speakers?
Absolutely. First, pick a subject that you know very well so that you can feel confident t
hat you are the expert on the subject, that will help you relax. But also be humble and know that there may be someone in the audience that is more of an expert and be prepared to respect their opinions if they have some. And really be in-tune with the audience.
Think about why they would come to your lecture and build the lecture for them. Then present with the passion and energy that you have for your topic. Passion and energy are contagious, and the audience will get those feelings from you.
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