Resident Focus & “On the Horizon” Call for Submissions IVECCS 2026

The IVECCS 2026 Resident Focus is scheduled for Thursday September 17, 2026 from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM. We are planning on six presentations: 20 minutes of lecture followed by 5 minutes for Q&A on the last day of the Symposium. The aim is to provide high-level presentations for Residents, advanced practitioners, and Diplomates. We are seeking both Residents and recent Diplomates of ACVECC and ECVECC to make up the program. These presentations should be from stellar new Diplomates and Residents, to Residents, at a Resident level. We are looking for appropriate subject matter and content for ACVECC and ECVECC Residents or Diplomates. The presentations can be on any subject, but must be at a Resident/Diplomate level.  

In addition to the traditional boards level review, we are excited to solicit cutting edge research topics or advanced physiology review for topics that are on the horizon. This is an excellent platform for Residents and new Diplomates to share knowledge, ideas or even preliminary results.  We believe these types of presentations will appeal to Diplomates and individuals in training who seek specialist level information.  

For the mentors: we hope you encourage the very best residents to speak. We do require you be directly involved in the preparation of the presentations to promote Resident success and excellent presentations. A statement of support for your mentee’s submission is requested but not required and is considered favorably when reviewing submissions. Proceedings will be required and published.  

This has been a popular session for Residents, Diplomates and eager conference attendees. It is also an excellent opportunity to provide Residents and new Diplomates an avenue for speaking and writing. The session timing provides opportunity for advanced level discussion for those attendees who were unable to attend the MDR.  

Residents/Diplomates chosen to present are reminded they must register for the meeting, and registration is not complimentary. An honorarium will be provided for each presentation. 

DEADLINE for submission of a summary of the proposed presentation topic is February 1, 2026. (Please see submission instructions below)

The authors of all presentations that are selected for presentation will be notified by February 25, 2026.

Proceedings from the selected presentations will be published in the IVECCS 2026 Proceedings.

Submission instructions: 

Please submit your proposal as .pdf or .docx files using this form. 

The proposal can be in outline form and should be no longer than 2 pages, single spaced, with font no smaller than 10pt. We are not looking for the actual presentation, rather a summary of what you propose to cover in your presentation. We are particularly interested to see:

• Topic material is appropriate to the intended audience (ACVECC & ECVECC Residents & Diplomates)
• Topic is not a repeat of something presented last year (similar topics are fine if covering a different aspect from the previous year - this should be apparent from your proposal)
• Material can be covered in the appropriate depth in a 20-minute presentation

Mentors are expected to be directly involved in preparation of the presentation. A statement from your mentor in support of your submission is encouraged but not required and is considered favorably when we review submissions. 

Submissions will be reviewed, and authors of selected presentations notified by February 25, 2026.

Thank you in advance for your help in continuing this program for our Residents and new Diplomates.   

Annual Veterinary Committee on Trauma (VetCOT) Conference

Join Us for The Annual Veterinary Committee on Trauma (VetCOT) Conference
April 24-26, 2026
Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

We are excited to invite you to the annual ACVECC VetCOT Veterinary Trauma & Critical Care Symposium  to be held April 24-26, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The conference will be held in conjunction with the Trauma, Critical Care & Acute Care Surgery Conference (April 27-29, 2026).

This conference is a unique opportunity for those with an interest in trauma medicine and surgery to share ideas, experiences, and expertise in a smaller forum conducive to discussion and collaboration. While the target audience is veterinary specialists (DACVECC, DACVS, DACVAA), we strongly encourage residents (ACVECC, ACVS, ACVAA), Emergency clinicians, ECC technicians, and allied specialists and residents (ACVO, ACVIM-neurology, ACVSMR, ACVR) to attend.

Although the focus is small animal trauma, our large animal colleagues and human medicine counterparts are encouraged to attend. 

Call for Abstracts
Accepted oral abstracts have the option to be published in JVECC. The call for abstracts document notes submission details as well as information on travel grants available for top submissions.  The deadline for submission is January 26, 2026. Learn more.

Tentative Schedule

• Friday afternoon, April 24, 1:00-5:00 PM: VetCOT Annual Business Meeting with Year in Review and Subcommittee Reports– all are welcome to attend! A Zoom link to attend remotely will also be provided. 
  
• Saturday April 25, 8:30 AM-5:30 PM: Conference officially begins!  Enjoy presentations of trauma abstracts and case reports, DACVECC panel case discussion, and other trauma presentations.  The lectures are followed by an evening poster session and social mixer from 5:30-7:00 PM. 
• Sunday April 26, 8:00 – 4:30 PM:  Translational Trauma DVM and MD joint presentations with panel discussion, Resident trivia, optional lunch lecture with the Mattox Group -- INNOVATION, SIMULATION & TECHNOLOGY IN TRAUMA, CRITICAL CARE, AND MCI (ISTCC-MCI), and closing awards session.

Registration is now open! 

Registration fee: $350 DVMs, $200 technicians/residents. Register online at www.vetcot.org and includes lunch and social mixer on Saturday. 3.      

Register Today!

Please note registration for the human Trauma, Critical Care & Acute Care Surgery conference is separate, and can be made here https://www.trauma-criticalcare.com/tccacs/registration. 

Hotel information: https://vetcot.org/veterinary-trauma-critical-care-conference/hotel-information. 

If you have any questions, please email rachel.fink@colostate.edu or info@vetcot.org or visit our website at https://vetcot.org/veterinary-trauma-critical-care-conference. 

We look forward to seeing you in April!

ACVECC Welcomes Bailey McMurray, IOM, MAOL as ACVECC CEO

Leadership milestone marks a new era of strategic growth and investment in veterinary emergency and critical care

See below for PDF version of article.

NORTH GRAFTON, MA — The American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) is proud to announce the appointment of Bailey McMurray, IOM, MAOL as the organization’s inaugural full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO). McMurray began her tenure at the end of April 2025 and has already fully immersed herself in ACVECC’s mission and the broader emergency and critical care (ECC) community.

Bailey has over 13 years of experience in association management, with a strong track record of building high-performing teams, driving strategic initiatives, and fostering collaborative, mission-focused communities. As the first full-time CEO in ACVECC’s history, she will lead the organization through its next phase of growth—collaborating closely with the Board of Regents, committees, organizational partners, and others—to drive progress in education, certification, research, and advocacy within the field of veterinary emergency and critical care.

“It is an incredible honor to serve as ACVECC’s first full-time CEO,” said McMurray.
“In just these first few months, I’ve been inspired by the passion and expertise that drive this community forward. I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place and working together to shape the future of emergency and critical care in veterinary medicine.”

Based in the Chicago suburbs, Bailey thrives on building connections, fostering continuous learning, and leading with purpose. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys exploring new places, getting outside, attending live shows, cheering on her favorite sports team, and spending time with her three orange cats—Amy, Cayenne, and Stanley.

She looks forward to engaging with the ACVECC community at IVECCS 2025 and welcomes opportunities to connect with the ACVECC membership community at bailey.mcmurray@acvecc.org or connect on LinkedIn.

This announcement is also a moment of deep gratitude and recognition for Dr. Armelle de Laforcade, DVM, DACVECC, who is celebrating 20 years of dedicated service and exceptional leadership as ACVECC’s Executive Director. Her tireless work, vision, and commitment have been instrumental in shaping the organization and advancing the field of veterinary emergency and critical care. We are sincerely thankful for all she has contributed, and we are pleased to share that Dr. de Laforcade will continue to be involved with ACVECC—offering her valuable insight and experience as we enter this exciting new chapter.

In addition, we invite all Diplomates and stakeholders to mark their calendars: ACVECC’s Annual Business Meeting will be held virtually following IVECCS 2025, with the date and time to be announced in the coming weeks. This will be an important opportunity to connect, share updates, and continue our forward momentum as a community.

About ACVECC
The American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) is dedicated to advancing emergency and critical care in veterinary medicine through education, certification, collaboration, and research. ACVECC’s mission is to lead the advancement of emergency and critical care and empower the veterinary healthcare team.

Contact:
ACVECC
Email: office@acvecc.org
Phone: +1 (508) 305-7550, Ext. 800