On January 27–29, veterinarians, students, technicians, and other industry professionals attended the Michigan Veterinary Conference (MVC) at the Lansing Center. MVC is the annual conference hosted by the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA). The conference provides two-days-worth of continuing education workshops, labs, and lectures focused on clinical skills, business topics, and current events, as well as an exhibit hall featuring service providers, product vendors, and more.

The MSU Veterinary Medical Center and the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health each had booths in the exhibit hall that featured service offerings, organizational updates, raffles, and a case-solving game. Highlighted speakers included the Hospital’s Neurology Service team, Drs. Joshua Gehrke and Kathryn Winger, who presented nine sessions on various neurological topics. Dr. Steven Arnoczky, who retired from the College on January 1, 2017, presented his Last Lecture during the conference.

New to MVC this year were mini-yoga sessions, provided by MVMA’s Wellness Task Force, which was established two years ago. Two chair yoga sessions, targeted to those who must sit for most of their work day, and one gentle yoga class were offered throughout the conference. MVC also featured a food drive for the Greater Lansing Food Bank and other activities as part of their wellness campaign.

“At this year’s MVC, we selected yoga, coloring boards, a gratitude board, and the food drive,” said Karlene Belyea, co-chair of the MVMA. “Each of these activities offer a key component of wellness—stress relief, positivity, creativity, or giving back.”

The MVC is sponsored by Zoetis, the MSU Veterinary Medical Center, CareCredit, Dechra Veterinary Products, DVMelite, IDEXX Laboratories, MERCK Animal Health, Merial, Nestlé Purina, and other industry organizations.