2026 Annual Business Meeting Diplomate Q&A

Summary of audience questions and leadership responses 

Diplomates had the opportunity to ask questions after the 2026 leadership conversation that followed the Annual Business Meeting held during the Surgery Summit in Charlotte, NC.  

The Q&A covered four main topics: directory analytics, residency-trained surgeons who are not board-certified, ACVS–ECVS reciprocity, and the mentorship network on ACVS Connect. Across all four topics, leadership emphasized continued development, member engagement, and the importance of gathering feedback to guide future improvements. 

1. Who is driving the 17% increase in directory visits?

Question: Does the College have demographic data showing who was visiting the Diplomate directory, specifically, data that show Diplomates looking up their Diplomate colleagues? 

Response: ACVS Communication Director Lucretia DiSanto confirmed that the College does not yet have a specific breakdown of visitors contributing to the 17% increase in active users. Active users are unique people who have engaged in a session by staying 10-plus seconds, viewing two-plus pages, or triggering a conversion. Diplomates who use the directory frequently to find colleagues are counted once, not every instance searched. The College also promotes the directory  to animal owners and primary care veterinarians through digital advertising, social media, and website marketing. 

The communication team, working with the Communication Committee, plans to conduct a deeper analysis in 2027 to better understand website and directory traffic and identify meaningful measures of marketing effectiveness. 

2. How does the College address residents who have completed veterinary surgery training but are not board-certified?

Question: An audience member asked how the College navigates the issue of surgeons who complete residency but do not achieve board certification, particularly when some are highly capable practitioners. The question included how the College should discuss these surgeons with colleagues and clients. 

Response: Dr. Stanley explained that the College has limited legal authority over the practice of surgeons who are not board-certified. There are restrictions on terminology they may use to describe their credentials, and the College encourages residency-trained surgeons to pursue and complete the examination process. Dr. Farnsworth added that the College’s primary approach is to promote the value and distinction of ACVS Diplomate credentials. Strengthening public awareness of board certification can help distinguish Diplomates from practitioners outside the College’s authority. 

3. What is the status of ACVS–ECVS credential reciprocity?

Question: An audience member asked for an update on reciprocity between ACVS and the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS). They highlighted the importance of recognizing colleagues’ credentials and the challenges that current limitations can create when recruiting academic faculty who supervise residents and approve cases. 

Response: Dr. Stanley reported that the previously established ACVS-ECVS working group had become inactive but was being reactivated. A meeting was scheduled to discuss collaboration and mutual learning opportunities. She noted that some changes had already been made to allow ECVS Diplomates to train and supervise ACVS residents. However, formal reciprocity was not currently on the table. Further discussions would explore other ways the two colleges could support one another. 

4. How does the ACVS Connect mentorship network work?

Question: An audience member asked how mentors and mentees are matched, whether mentees should contact mentors directly, and how mentors receive notifications when someone wants to connect. 

Response: ACVS Membership Director Adam Seery explained that the mentorship network is currently a self-service feature within ACVS Connect. Members interested in mentoring or receiving mentorship can join the Mentorship Network group. Participants can browse the group to identify potential mentors or mentees and initiate contact themselves. The platform supports direct messaging and one-to-one connections.  

Diplomates and residents should configure their preferences to receive email notifications about conversations and activity in the group. Seery commented that as the program develops, the College hopes to introduce more structured matching and assistance connecting participants.