ACVIM chief executive officer announces retirement

Linda Fineman, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology) announced her intent to retire as the chief executive officer of The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) after serving in the role for 3 years. Once she officially steps down, Fineman will remain on staff in a consultative role to help support the staff leadership team at ACVIM.

“Dr Fineman played an integral role in the critical functions of the ACVIM during a time that brought unforeseen difficulties. She helped us not only weather the storms but grow and improve in organizational functioning and look outwards towards ways that the ACVIM can impact our profession more widely,” said Laura Garrett, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), immediate past Board of Regent (BOR) chair, in an organizational release.¹

Throughout her time with the ACVIM, Fineman led the ACVIM through the beginning uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, which started right around the time she was appointed CEO. As the CEO, Fineman concluded a multi-year process to add Nutrition as the 6th specialty within the organization.¹ Her and the BOR guided the ACVIM through the process and helped foster relationships with Nutrition members to help create a space to be integrated successfully.

Fineman also focused on improving the health and well-being of veterinary professionals and demonstrated her desire to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts within the profession. She was a liaison for the DEI task force created by BOR.

Additionally, Fineman helped expand the reach of the ACVIM by creating a coalition of crucial clinical specialty organization executives that could work together to help address issues that specialty and broader veterinary professionals face.

On January 1, 2023, Shannon Carter, EdD, CAE, will assume the role of CEO. Carter served as the chief strategy officer for the ACVIM since 2019, where she worked closely with Fineman and other ACVIM staff members to help support the values, vision, and mission of ACVIM.¹

“As Chief Strategy Officer, Shannon Carter has proven to be an exceptionally dedicated, thoughtful, energetic, communicative, and hard-working leader. The Board of Regents is confident she has the talent and drive to ensure that the ACVIM continues to be one of the most respected veterinary specialty colleges in the world and a model for others to follow,” said Jane Sykes, BVSc (Hons), PhD, MBA, DACVIM (SAIM), ACVIM Board President, in the release.

Reference

Linda Fineman, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology) Announces Retirement From the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. May 11, 2022. Accessed May 12, 2022.