Sunday, March 20, 2022 Information-Schedule remains as listed below - including a break from 11:15-12:15pm to grab some snacks before the last session or heading home.

Event Info

When: Friday, March 18, 2022 - Sunday, March 20, 2022

Where: Turning Stone Resort & Casino - Verona, NY

General Information: The Annual Spring Seminar will be held from Friday, March 18, 2022 to Sunday, March 20, 2022, and is the can't miss event for Veterinary Technicians in New York State.  If you are looking to improve your skills, network with colleagues, and discuss hot topics with other veterinary technicians this is the place for you.

Schedule

Speakers

Kimberly Baldwin

Kimberly is a SUNY Delhi graduate who obtained her VTS in ECC in 2003. She has played many roles in her career in both private practice and a university setting. She has a passion for the growth and development of others. Kimberly has been on the advisory board for both SUNY Delhi and SUNY Alfred, and the New York Board of Veterinary Medicine, she was awarded the alumnis of merit from SUNY Delhi and employee of the year from NYSAVT. She has completed numerous lectures on both the state and national level. She presently working in private practice and is the Hospital Manager at VCA Colonial Animal Hospital.

Andrea Balcom

Dr. Andrea Balcom hails from the hamlet of Andes, NY in the Western Catskill Mountains. She is an Associate Professor in Veterinary Technology at SUNY Delhi and owns her own one-doctor practice – Paladin Veterinary Services PLLC – a mobile service that focuses on animal acupuncture, chiropractic, and general equine wellness.

Dr. Balcom graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. She did additional training at Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic and The Chi Institute. She practiced as a large animal practitioner, first as an intern at AVS Equine Hospital in Tallahassee, FL and then as an associate at Leatherstocking Veterinary Services in New Berlin NY. She joined SUNY Delhi and opened her practice in August 2017.

Dr. Balcom is a mom of three boys – Declan, Ethan & Eli. She and her husband also have 3 horses, 2 calves, 2 dogs and 3 cats. When not juggling practice and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Balcom enjoys horseback riding, camping, hiking and traveling with her family, and on the rare occasion, a trip to the theatre or a quiet moment with a book.

Sheena Davis

Sheena graduated from the Vet Tech institute of Pittsburgh and achieved her Associates in Specialized Technology in 2004. She has been a credentialed veterinary nurse for over 16 years and currently works at Abingdon Square Veterinary Clinic in the West Village. She achieved her VTS in dentistry in 2020 and became a certified veterinary cannabis counselor in the same year. Sheena also created the Veterinary Cannabis Guide program for The Veterinary Cannabis Education and Consultation group and is the curator for the Veterinary Cannabis Society's educational library. When is not writing an article or lecturing she provides personalized dentistry training and cannabis consultations through her company Big Apple LVT Consulting. In her free time Sheena enjoys recording her podcast "Catnip and Chill" with her best friend and spending time with her husband and two cats Daniel and Dobby.

Angela Elia

Angela Elia is a VTS (ECC) Travel Nurse for the Veterinary Emergency Group. She graduated from Northland College in 2005 with a BS in Animal Behavior Psychology and earned an AAS in Veterinary Technology in 2015. Her passions include Emergency medicine, special nursing considerations, and international veterinary aid.

Mylissa Fitzpatrick

Mylissa is the lead veterinary technician for an ER and specialty hospital in upstate NY where she started her passion in 2005. She was recognized as the top presenter for the 2018 IVECCS for her case report on the management of OA for IVAPM. She strives to always learn and share her knowledge to help pets and other professionals.

Alex Mirsky

Alex Mirsky, LVT has been working in the field of veterinary medicine since he was 16. Working through the ranks at NJ's largest, no kill, nonprofit animal rescue and eventually shifting to veterinary assistant and technician at different animal hospitals in NJ. A recent AAS graduated from SUNY Delhi, Alex is on the track for vet school. Most recently he is working in Delhi NY as a veterinary technician and working in SUNY Delhi's veterinary science programs Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia lab to teach underclassmen. Alex's professional interests include anesthesia, pain management, emergency care, and teaching. Alex spends his free time hanging with his 4 Chihuahuas, camping, or working with shelter animals.

Garnetta Santiago

Garnetta Santiago, MA, LVT, is Manager of Academic and Professional Affairs for Zoetis, and leads strategic engagement with Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Technology programs in the U.S. and Caribbean; as well as educational, wellbeing and professional development outreach to the veterinary profession through digital platforms. A 2003 graduate of the veterinary technology program at SUNY Delhi, Garnetta has worked as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in small and mixed-animal clinical practice, shelter medicine, academia, and the animal health industry. She holds degrees in Political Science, International Relations and Veterinary Science Technology, earned the Professional Certificate in Online Education Instructional Design from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and is enrolled in the Certificate Program for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine through Purdue University. She is Immediate-Past President of the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians, and lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband, daughter and two beautiful orange tabby littermates.

William Sherman

William Sherman is a 1995 graduate of SUNY Cantons Veterinary Technology program.  I have worked for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County as the 4H animal assistant.  I have worked at a mixed practice, as well as an animal sanctuary for large animals, dogs, and cats.  In 2005 I joined SUNY Delhi Veterinary Technology program as an Instructional Support Associate.  I have experience teaching in many of the large animal classes, parasitology, and RATS.  In 2014 I was promoted to the manager of the Large Animal Teaching Facility.   I still teach but have now taken on the responsibility of making sure the farm has the animals it needs for the program and overseeing the daily care or the animals.   I have also joined the Susquehanna SPCA as a volunteer with their large animal rescues. 

I live with my wife, son, daughter on a small horse farm where we grow Christmas trees, and we raise and breed Bernese Mountain Dogs. 

Melissa J Supernor

Melissa J. Supernor, LVT, CVT, VTS (SAIM), CFE, CCFP is founder and president of Educational Advocates for the Veterinary Team (EDAVT), speaking on Internal Medicine, Practice Development, Professional and Career Development topics at local, state, and national levels. She has authored many chapters and articles on many topics. She holds an AS degree in Veterinary Technology, a BS in Psychology and earned her CVT in 1990, VTS in Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2008, and LVT in 2020. She is an experienced veterinary technician specialist skilled in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, disaster medicine, professional and personal development of the veterinary team. Currently, she is a Clinical Development Specialist at Blue River PetCare.

Company Profiles

ASPCA

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^® works to save animals from dogfighting, puppy mills, hoarding and other cruelty situations. We provide animals medical care and behavioral rehabilitation, and help thousands of animals find loving homes every year. We respond to emergencies when disaster strikes, and fight for stronger laws to protect animals. When you become an ASPCA Guardian, your regular monthly gift allows us to spend less time fundraising—and more time saving lives.

Banfield Pet Hospital

Banfield is a community of caring people marked by a diversity of thought, background and approach. We work to create an inclusive environment where Associates can be themselves, so that we can find value in our differences. Together, we’re committed to creating a better world for pets.

Blue Pearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital

BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital is a community of hospitals that offer specialty and emergency veterinary medicine. BluePearl is wholly owned by employee veterinarians and veterinary professionals and locally managed by experienced, community-focused, and service-minded veterinarians.

We partner with family veterinarians who provide primary patient care, assuring an unbroken continuum of quality medicine for pets at every stage of their lifetime.

Kindness is the foundation of veterinary medicine. At BluePearl, we believe that remarkable care combines state-of-the-art veterinary medicine with a focus on compassion and respect for your pet and for you.

Blue River PetCare

Blue River PetCare is a multi-state owner and operator of high-quality veterinary hospitals. we are actively seeking to acquire additional practices in a number of regions with a focus on providing quality pet healthcare to our patients and outstanding service to our pet-owner customers. We provide an exit strategy for owners of veterinary hospitals who are looking to reduce the headaches of business and diversify their asset base while continuing to practice or who are seeking to transition their practice as they consider retirement. In addition to providing a long-term home for veterinary practices to continue to grow and thrive, we offer career opportunities for veterinary professionals at every stage of their career.

Upstate Veterinary Specialties

Upstate Veterinary Specialties is a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital in upstate New York. We are a privately-owned hospital offering 24/7 emergency and critical care and board-certified specialty care. Our services include cardiology, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, radiology, rehabilitation, and surgery. Our mission is to help pets live longer, happier lives through expert care and compassionate client service. Our hospital is a 40,000 sq. foot facility, with custom-built spaces for individual services. As a specialty hospital, we have access to state-of-the-art equipment and knowledge of the most up-to-date treatment modalities to provide the best possible patient care. We provide our staff with a positive, employee-centered workplace where they can learn, grow, and achieve their ideal career.

VCA

VCA began in 1986 as a privately owned company with one animal hospital.  Today, we are the largest family of animal care providers nationwide.  Despite unprecedented growth, VCA has never abandoned its devotion to compassionate, comprehensive pet care. VCA Animal Hospitals operates more than 1,000 small animal veterinary hospitals in the U.S., Canada and Japan. The hospitals are staffed by more than 4,500 fully qualified, dedicated and compassionate veterinarians to give pets the very best in medical care, of which over 600 are board certified specialists who are experts in areas such as oncology, cardiology, emergency and critical care, and surgery for animals. VCA Animal Hospitals provides a full range of general practice services to keep pets well and specialized treatments when pets are ill. As part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, VCA is committed to its purpose—A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS®.

Zoetis

VetVance

As the world's leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After 70 years innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide, from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The company's leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $7.8 billion in 2021 with approximately 12,100 employees.