2025 Annual Meeting and Conference

Marie Holowaychuk, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC
(CEO and Founder, Reviving Veterinary Medicine)

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC, is a veterinarian and board-certified emergency and critical care specialist dedicated to promoting mental health and wellbeing in the veterinary profession. With over 20 years of experience, she founded Reviving Veterinary Medicine to address burnout and wellness through evidence-based resources and programs like From Burnout to Balance and From Toxic to Terrific. A certified coach, yoga teacher, and dynamic speaker, Marie delivers workshops and keynotes globally. She is the author of A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means to Be a Veterinarian and hosts the Reviving Vet Med Podcast, all aimed at fostering sustainable veterinary careers.

Friday, September 19th: 1:00-2:50pm
Balancing Accountability and Empathy: Supporting Mental Health in Veterinary Regulation
Veterinary regulators are often called upon to make difficult, high-stakes decisions that can dramatically affect licensees’ careers and lives. These responsibilities, especially when dealing with complaints, discipline, or substance use issues, can lead to significant emotional burden, moral stress, and burnout — yet little support exists to help regulators manage these impacts. In this timely and necessary session, Dr. Marie Holowaychuk will guide attendees through two key focus areas:

1. Caring for the Caretakers: Tools and frameworks for board members to process the emotional impact of complaints, revocations, or disciplinary actions — and access support for their own wellbeing.
2. Communicating with Compassion: Strategies for engaging licensees dealing with substance use problems or mental health challenges, while maintaining regulatory responsibilities and public trust.

Annie Scranton and Mike Sorrentino

Annie Pace Scranton is the Founder + CEO of Pace Public Relations, an award-winning PR agency headquartered in New York. Annie has spent her entire career working in the media. Pace recently celebrated its 15th year in business and prior to that, Annie worked for nearly a decade as a national TV news producer. The team at Pace works with clients globally, in myriad industries, focusing on strategy, messaging, media relations and building brand awareness. Annie is an Adjunct Professor at NYU’s School of Professional Studies, teaching PR Consulting to graduate students. She is the author of the book, The Guide to Earned Media.

Michael (Mike) Sorrentino is a seasoned CEO and veteran broadcast producer with over a decade of experience in national TV news, covering everything from presidential elections to international crises. As the CEO of Sorrentino Media, he leverages his expertise to provide full-service video production, consulting, and media training. A master storyteller with a journalistic eye, Michael excels at developing bespoke digital content and fine-tuning client messaging. He co-authored “VIRTUAL PRESENTING,” a guide to virtual production. 

Friday, September 19th 3:05 – 5:00pm
Crisis Ready: Master Your Message

Unlock critical communication skills at the AAVSB 2025 Annual Meeting! Join Pace Public Relations and Sorrentino Media for an essential Crisis Media Training session, tailored specifically for Veterinary State Board executive directors and their teams.

This dynamic 1.5 to 2-hour workshop will equip you with the confidence and strategies to navigate challenging media interactions and safeguard your organization’s reputation. Learn to craft clear messages, master media interview techniques, anticipate tough questions, and effectively manage social media during a crisis. Led by industry experts Annie Scranton and Michael Sorrentino, this interactive session utilizes real-world case studies and role-playing to provide immediately applicable skills. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your crisis preparedness and protect your professional standing.

Dale Atkinson, JD

Dale J. Atkinson is a licensed Illinois attorney and sole managing member of The Atkinson Firm in Eden, Utah (formerly in Northbrook, Illinois). With over 30 years of experience in regulatory law, he advises not-for-profit associations on operations, licensure programs, disciplinary actions, and model legislation. For over 10 years, Mr. Atkinson has been a valued supporter of our organization. A frequent speaker and author, he also served as Executive Director of the Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards for over 21 years, promoting education and public protection in regulation.

Saturday, September 20th: 1:00-3:00pm
Top Legal Cases Impacting the Veterinary Profession
Join legal expert Dale Atkinson as he delves into the most significant legal cases affecting the veterinary community. In this insightful presentation, Dale will explore key rulings that have shaped veterinary practice, from malpractice lawsuits to regulatory issues. Gain a deeper understanding of the legal challenges veterinarians face and how these cases influence the future of veterinary care and professional responsibilities. This session is essential for veterinary professionals seeking to stay informed on the legal landscape of their field.

Michael Martin, DVM, MPVM, ACPV

Dr. Martin has been the NC State Veterinarian since August 2021 after serving as the Director of Poultry Health Programs at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for four years. Previously, he was Associate Professor at the North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine where he was the head of poultry clinical activities and residency program. He obtained his veterinary degree, Masters of Preventative Medicine (MPVM), and poultry medicine residency training from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis and is a board-certified Diplomate by the American College of Poultry Veterinarians.

Saturday, September 20th: 3:15 – 4:45pm
National and State Update on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak
The current outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the United States started in February of 2022. Since that time, all 50 states have identified positive cases leading to the death of over 170 million birds as of the end of May 2025. Many species of animals have tested positive for the disease in our wild and domestic populations. In this presentation, we will go over the outbreak and where we stand in the US. We will also cover many smaller topics such as dairy surveillance, domestic cat exposure, wastewater testing, vaccinations, and media response. It will be a goal to leave time for questions/answers to cover any topic pertaining to this outbreak.