Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Veterinary Advocacy & Education in Oregon
Founded in 1911, the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) has served Oregon's veterinary professionals for over a century. As a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization with approximately 1,000 members, we are Oregon's only statewide veterinary association dedicated to advancing the profession and protecting veterinary interests. Our mission centers on advocating for legislative protections that have saved Oregon practices over $52 million while maintaining strict confidentiality of personal information. Through comprehensive resources available 24/7, including our mobile-friendly website and bi-monthly newsletter, we provide critical updates on regulatory changes such as radiography rules and compounded drugs regulations.Our educational initiatives extend to disaster preparedness programs and the highly regarded Oregon Veterinary Conference, which has delivered expert-led continuing education since 1925. The association plays a vital role in shaping animal welfare laws, including landmark legislation on tethered dogs and enhanced penalties for animal cruelty, while publishing essential educational materials on topics like recognizing abuse signs and responsible pet ownership.
Services
Professional Advocacy
Educational Conferences
Legislative Alerts
Membership Resources
Animal Welfare Laws
Continuing Education
Practice Management
Disaster Preparedness
Regulatory Compliance
Veterinary Ethics
Details
- Year established: 1911
Highlights and features
- We've advocated for Oregon veterinary practices since 1911, saving over $52 million through legislative protections.
- Our 24/7 member portal provides immediate access to critical regulatory updates and practice resources.
- The Oregon Veterinary Conference delivers three days of specialized CE with leading veterinary experts.
- We maintain strict confidentiality protections for veterinarians' personal information.
- Our advocacy secured legislative improvements to animal abuse penalties and responsible ownership laws.
Services
Professional Advocacy
OVMA actively represents veterinary interests before Oregon's legislature and regulatory agencies. Our advocacy efforts focus on protecting practice rights, maintaining confidentiality protections, and shaping animal welfare legislation. We've successfully advocated for critical changes in tethered dog laws and enhanced penalties for animal abuse while maintaining open communication with the Oregon Pharmacy Board to protect prescription integrity.
Educational Conferences
Our annual Oregon Veterinary Conference provides three days of specialized continuing education with nationally recognized experts. The conference features tracks for companion animal, equine, and food production veterinarians, with sessions on topics ranging from endocrinology to emergency care. Virtual access remains available until December 31st for those needing recorded sessions and proceedings.
Membership Resources
OVMA members receive 24/7 access to essential practice resources through our digital platform. These include regulatory guidance, business management tools, and client education materials. Our support extends to helping members navigate complex requirements like animal drug prescriptions, medication disposal protocols, and compliance with federal reporting regulations.
Disaster Preparedness
We provide comprehensive resources for veterinary practice emergency preparedness, including response protocols for natural disasters and disease outbreaks. Our programs cover safety checklists, insurance claim procedures, and client communication strategies. The association partners with Oregon's Department of Agriculture on the state's Animal Disease Emergency Management Plan for infectious disease control.
Animal Health Laws
OVMA monitors and influences legislation affecting veterinary medicine and animal welfare. Our efforts include advocating for improved animal abuse penalties, protecting veterinary prescription rights, and shaping regulations on animal disease reporting. We maintain close coordination with state and federal agencies to ensure protective measures align with veterinary practice realities.
People
Dr. Lynn Healy
President
Dr. Lynn Healy leads OVMA as President, bringing extensive veterinary practice experience to her role. As owner of Cat Care Professionals in Lake Oswego, she combines clinical expertise with leadership in shaping veterinary policy.
Dr. Gail Colbern
President-Elect
Dr. Gail Colbern serves as President-Elect, representing the association with deep experience from Greensprings Veterinary Service in Ashland. Her leadership perspective combines clinical practice with strategic governance.
Dr. Charles Hurty
Past President
Dr. Charles Hurty, former President, continues contributing through his role at Grove Veterinary Clinic in Newport. His past leadership provides continuity to OVMA's strategic direction.
Glenn Kolb
Executive Director
Glenn Kolb serves as OVMA's Executive Director, providing administrative leadership since 2020. His role oversees day-to-day operations while implementing board directives, with direct contact responsibility for membership services.
Dr. Heidi Houchen
Regional Director
Dr. Heidi Houchen represents the Portland Metro region as District 4 Director. Her expertise from VCA NW Veterinary Specialists brings valuable clinical perspective to OVMA's governance.
Questions
What services does OVMA provide for Oregon veterinarians?
We offer legislative advocacy, continuing education through our annual conference, practice resources, and regulatory guidance to support veterinary professionals.
How can I join the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association?
Membership applications are available online. New graduates receive one complimentary year, and membership includes access to our resources and conference.
What educational programs does OVMA offer?
Our annual Oregon Veterinary Conference features three days of specialized CE with national experts across companion animal, equine, and food production tracks.
How does OVMA support veterinary practice management?
We provide 24/7 online resources covering regulatory compliance, prescription management, and business operations with personalized support for members.
What animal welfare initiatives does OVMA support?
We advocate for stronger animal abuse penalties, responsible ownership education, and legislative protections for both companion and production animals.
