Kicking off our Kansas City countdown with a look at our keynotes

Our Fetch dvm360^® conference in Kansas City, Missouri, is returning from August 25 to 27, 2023. The 3-day continuing education (CE) event will be filled with hands-on, interactive sessions and opportunities for making networking connections. Veterinary professionals can earn up to 18 Registry of Approved Continuing Education-approved CE credit hours for the entire conference. Starting each day will be a unique keynote presentation. The speakers include Dave Nicol, BVMS, Cert Mgmt, MRCVS; Ashley S. Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD; and Bob Murtaugh, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVECC.

Murtaugh told dvm360, “Being asked to deliver a keynote address at the upcoming KC Fetch Conference definitely means you have to bring your A-Game as a speaker...so, looking forward to the excitement and challenge of engaging meaningfully with the attendees! Fetch Conferences bring a level of excitement and energy that is unique in the conference realm; so, looking forward to soaking that up.”

Dave Nicol, BVMS, Cert Mgmt, MRCVS

Dave Nicol, BVMS, Cert Mgmt, MRCVS

Nicol has been a practicing veterinarian for nearly 20 years since beginning his career in the United Kingdom. His area of expertise falls in the practice management side of the veterinary industry. He has advanced professional knowledge in strategy, leadership, marketing, and human resource management. He currently has 2 published books: The Yellow Pages Are Dead, which was published in 2011, and So You’re a Vet...Now What?, which was first published in 2017 for recent veterinary graduates.

Nicol will begin the conference with his keynote presentation, “If It’s Not a ‘Heck Yes!’ Then It’s No! Building Your Happy Place in Veterinary Medicine.” In his presentation, Nicol will focus on how choices can affect your passion in veterinary medicine and how to make the right decisions to lead you to a happy, successful profession.

Ashley S. Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD

Ashley S. Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD

Bourgeois graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbia in 2010 and became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 2014. She is an owner of Animal Dermatology Clinic Portland in Oregon and has a strong interest in autoimmune skin diseases, allergies, and otology.

Bourgeois takes on the second day of the conference with her keynote session, “Controlling the Controllable—Life Lessons In and Out of the Exam Room.” In her lecture, Bourgeois will discuss how to balance empathy and personal boundaries in veterinary medicine. Being flexible and accommodating can only go so far until you have no boundaries left, potentially causing burnout to occur more quickly, she noted.

Bob Murtaugh, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVECC

Bob Murtaugh, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVECC

Murtaugh has been an American Veterinary Medical Association member since graduating in 1980 from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in Falcon Heights. He was a faculty member at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, Massachusetts, from 1984 to 1998, and served as hospital director for both the large and small animal teaching hospitals at Tufts. Murtaugh joined Pathway Vet Alliance, now Thrive Pet Healthcare, in 2015 as a partner and chief medical officer.

Murtaugh finishes out the conference on the third day with his keynote session, “What the ’L Is Going On?! Leadership and Communication.” In his presentation, he will discuss all the smaller aspects that go into creating strong veterinary leadership and communication and explain some key takeaways that attendees can use in their own practice.