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ACVECC Launch: From Resident to Criticalist

Real life skills and information from ACVECC diplomates to ACVECC residents

Launch Your Legacy: From Resident to Criticalist
Stepping out of residency and into the front lines of specialty practice is a defining moment in your veterinary career.

The virtual ACVECC Launch series is purpose-built to empower graduating residents with the real-world skills, strategic insight, and insider wisdom needed to transition seamlessly from trainee to leader.

Led by seasoned ACVECC Diplomates, this immersive program delivers the unwritten rules of clinical and professional success, equipping you to take command of your career from day one.

Core Learning Objectives

  • Applied Clinical & Professional Expertise: Direct knowledge transfer from seasoned ACVECC Diplomates, focusing on practical, real-world skills essential for clinical practice.
  • Contract and Compensation Navigation: Empower residents with the high-level knowledge necessary to evaluate compensation structures and understand the standard professional expectations within employment agreements.
  • Tangible Career Takeaways: Provide residents with concrete resources, such as PDF "one-pagers" and curated notes, to serve as a toolkit for their transition into practice.
  • Career Preparation: Provide residents with expert-led best practices for the interviewing process to navigate the job market successfully.
  • Value Communication & Advocacy: Strategic frameworks to articulate the distinct, high-level value and specialized leadership a Criticalist brings to a veterinary clinical team.
  • College Engagement & Leadership: Insights into the organizational structure of ACVECC, offering clear pathways for long-term involvement, mentorship, and shaping the future of the specialty.

Bridge the Gap. Advance Your Career.
Residency gave you the clinical knowledge; ACVECC Launch gives you the professional edge. Prepare to lead, advocate, and thrive as a Criticalist.

These sessions are free of charge, but registration is required.

ACVECC 101: How the College Works and How to Stay Connected and Involved Post-Residency

October 7, 2026 

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Part of the ACVECC Launch series, ACVECC 101 is designed to help residents and early-career criticalists understand how the College works, what resources and opportunities are available after training, and how to stay connected and involved as they move into the next phase of their careers. Through a practical overview and open Q&A, the session will highlight the College’s structure, member resources, entry points for service and leadership, and ways diplomates can contribute to—and benefit from—the ACVECC community.

Speakers:
Annie Wayne, DVM, MPH, DACVECC, ACVECC President Elect
Bailey McMurray, IOM, MAOL, CAE, ACVECC CEO

Moderators:
Jinni Sinnott-Stutzman, DVM, DACVECC

Register to Attend

Conveying the Value of a Criticalist: The Intangibles that Matter 

November 4, 2026 

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST)

You’ve worked hard to become a veterinary critical care specialist, but what is your true value to a hospital beyond managing the sickest patients?

This session explores the many ways criticalists make an impact, from stabilizing complex cases and supporting other services to leading teams, mentoring colleagues, improving patient and client care, and expanding what a hospital can offer.

Discover how your unique expertise, judgment, and leadership can elevate an entire hospital and why your role is more valuable than you may realize! 

Speakers:

Aimee Brooks, DVM, MS, DACVECC
Dr. Brooks is the Clinical Associate Professor, Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care, at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Learn more about Dr. Brooks: https://vet.purdue.edu/directory/aimee-brooks 

Anne Cohen, DVM, DACVECC
Dr. Cohen attended Mount Holyoke College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine where she earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Following her graduation from veterinary school, Dr. Cohen completed a yearlong internship in small animal medicine and surgery at New England Animal Medical Center and a three-year residency in small animal emergency and critical care at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in Rhode Island.

Since completing her residency, Dr. Anne Cohen has authored scientific papers including “Oral Transmucosal Administration of Dexmedetomidine for Sedation in Four Dogs” published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal. She is also an active advocate of continuing education for veterinary professionals and has lectured on various small animal emergency and critical care topics. Although Dr. Cohen maintains an interest in all aspects of emergency medicine and critical care, she has particular interests in respiratory emergencies and transfusion medicine. Her favorite part of practicing veterinary medicine is to give animals a voice and to be an advocate for their healthcare and well-being.

Emily Dozeman, DVM, DACVECC
Dr. Dozeman is a Board-certified Specialist in Veterinary Emergency
& Critical Care. Dr. Dozeman attended The Ohio State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. She then completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at VCA SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center. Dr. Dozeman went on to complete a Critical Care residency at The Animal Medical Center of New York.

Although interested in all aspects of veterinary Critical Care, Dr. Dozeman maintains a particular interest in polytrauma, transfusion medicine, and sepsis. While the excitement of the emergency room and dynamic, challenging cases are the reasons Dr. Dozeman has pursued this specialty, she also feels that the human-animal bond is one of the main reasons she became a veterinarian. She enjoys making a difference and helping families make the best decisions for their pets.

When not caring for patients, Dr. Dozeman enjoys anything athletic and being outdoors, especially with her husband and son.

Sara Lefman, DVM, DACVECC
Dr. Lefman is an Emergency/Critical Care veterinarian with 8 years of experience as a criticalist, and 12 years as a veterinarian. She obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Michigan State University and completed an internship at The Ohio State University and a residency at The Animal Medical Center in New York City. She is proficient in diagnostic ultrasound (SOUND and CSU course trained) and has foundational experience with dialysis. She enjoys teaching and mentoring, and has trained residents, interns and students. She enjoys public speaking and has lectured at various conferences. Her clinical interests include electrolyte abnormalities, toxicities, sepsis and shock resuscitation.
 
Jessica Sands, DVM, DACVECC
Dr. Sands is a Board-certified Specialist in Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care. Dr. Sands earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Minnesota. She then finished a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida. Dr. Sands completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Tufts University and a small animal emergency & critical care residency at Cornell University.

Dr. Sands is fascinated by many areas of veterinary medicine. She has special interests in treating sepsis and trauma. Her favorite part of being a veterinarian is seeing pets reunited with their families after spending time in the hospital.

Register to Attend

Interviewing Best Practices 

December 2, 2026

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Interview like you already belong…

Ready to turn interviews into real career momentum? 

In this ACVECC Launch Q&A panel, industry leaders who have hired dozens of ACVECC Diplomates will share the candid, behind-the-scenes advice you rarely get during residency. Hear what makes candidates stand out, what raises red flags, how to talk about your value as a new criticalist, and how to navigate the interview process with confidence. Bring your questions—this session is designed to help you show up prepared, authentic, and ready for the next step in your career.

Speaker: TBA

Moderator: TBA

Register to Attend

Know What You Are Signing – Compensation, Contracts, and Clauses, Private Practice 

January 6, 2027

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST)

You’ve already learned how to communicate your value as a criticalist to future employers.  You also learned about interview techniques.  Now it’s time to think about what comes next…contracts.  While a large part of this topic is certainly compensation, it isn’t all as straightforward as it may first seem.  This session will focus on a variety of contract negotiation considerations.  If you want to learn more about the variety of ways that criticalists are compensated in private practice, if you have questions you would like to ask about noncompete agreements, or if you have stipulations that you want addressed prior to signing on the dotted line, come to this session to learn more from our experts.

Speaker: TBA

Moderator: TBA

Register to Attend

Academic Annex: Compensation, Appointments, Tenure, and unique aspects of the Academic Interview Process

February 3, 2027

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Thinking about a career in academia?

As part of our ongoing ACVECC Launch: Resident Series – designed to help resident successfully transition from training into practice – this panel discussion dives into the world of academic veterinary medicine. Join us for a candid, insider conversation with ECC faculty as they discuss interviewing, contracts, and compensation in academia.

Speaker: TBA

Moderator: TBA

Register to Attend