Page 5 - 21 Fall Newsletter

President’s Message: Leadership:

Service Above Self

I can’t say enough about Claire Holley, the NCVMA
I have had many positive
influences in my life that have Executive Director, and the office staff. Claire is seemingly
formed my leadership values. My tireless. I wish to have half her energy and passion for our
definition of leadership is built profession and she is not a veterinarian! She very simply
upon the motivation of others loves our profession and the work that we do. Her greatest
towards a common goal. My asset is her ability to communicate easily, but poignantly.
time on the NCVMA has Her emails are informative, fun and useful. She manages
the NCVMA office with flair and respect. It amazes me how
introduced me to so many
wonderful people who further so involved Anne and Mandy get in their endeavors and
inspire me to be better, to do tasks. This epitomizes great leadership that is fostered by
better. inspiration and motivation. Again, Claire truly LOVES the
profession. Her idea of the College Sports PR initiative has
In memoriam, I would like to mention my dear friend and been nationally recognized. Her passion for NCVMA PAC
mentor, Ken Padgett, DVM. He served on the NCMVA and has been applauded by the AVMA, whose donations are a
the NCVMB, ascending the ranks to achieve the presidency fraction of ours. While researching for this letter, I found
in both organizations. Hopefully, many of you reading this Claire’s name beside the word Incredible in the dictionary.
remember him. While I was employed by him, he shared Thank you, Claire.
with me his goals of improving veterinary medicine in
North Carolina and he served tirelessly on the NCVMA to Now, I did not purposely forget or am ignoring the other
most wonderful people who serve on the NCVMA
ensure the integrity of veterinary medicine. From him, I
learned to serve the profession. Veterinary medicine is Executive Committee and the NCVMA Board of Directors. I
would like to acknowledge them as well. They are a
bigger than ourselves, we recognize ourselves as a team
from our specialties, our workplaces, our organizations and passionate group of people to serve our profession. Again,
our Association. Two weeks post graduation, my young self an amazing group of people who really make my position
came to work, where he greeted me with a smile and a as president very easy. I am not a big talker, but I do listen
hand shake. I only had to watch and listen to the and observe. I definitely realize that I am blessed to be led
and supported by these great people.
interactions he had with the clients and animals to realize
he led by example. He directed the veterinary staff with So how do you define leadership? How do you lead your
passion and compassion. He told jokes and provided team? I feel that leadership is a realization of one’s self‐
constructive criticisms, all with the purpose of getting his worth. In order to lead effectively, you must understand
point across ‐ how to best help the pet and the pet owner ‐ who you are and what you are; your strengths and
which is our everyday goal. I miss him. limitations. Your team looks up to you. Your team is a
talented group, but it is up to you to direct them. Surround
Moving forward, I would like to especially recognize the
NCVMA Immediate Past President, Jennifer Shults. In my yourself with team members that will bolster your
humble opinion, Jennifer is the brightest person I have ever limitations and enhance your strengths. Success is bred by
met. Her memory is impeccable; her vision is clear, and her the awareness that failures lead to opportunities. Positivity
words are spoken with assertion and confidence. She has to return to our lives and to our profession, and it’s up
to you to bring it every day and serve your team members,
helped guide the NCVMA through 2019 to 2021 because
COVID prevented us from advancing our positions. Her serve your community, serve your church, serve your
Association. Will you help serve? Will you help to lead?
leadership is easily followed, but impossible to replicate.
She exemplifies service above self, and I am glad she is my I thank you. I thank all of you, the 2021 Veterinarians of the
mentor on this journey through my presidency. I wish to be Year, for doing what you do. I will always serve our
like her, but humbly resign that I will never be. Jennifer was profession in a most positive manner to maintain the
and is critical in the legislative involvement of the NCVMA. respect, the compassion, and the passion we have for our
She helps guard the wall while we are nestled comfortably furry friends and family. With that, I wish you all a Happy
under the blanket of our profession. Thank you, Jennifer. Holiday season and expect to see you in the New Year.

Dante Martin, DVM
President, NCVMA
~ 3 ~