Dr. Jerry Quilling of Kiel - 1998

Dr. Jerry Quilling of Kiel - WVMA President 1998

  

 Jerry Quilling, DVM

Photo:  Courtesy of Dr. Jerry Quilling

       I am honored to have served as president of the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association from October of 1997 until October of 1998.

      All presidents are asked to relate an historical record of the WVMA during our careers.  My early interest in veterinary medicine began on a dairy farm near Menomonie, Wisconsin.  I earned a Bachelor of Science (animal science) at UW-River Falls in 1972, and my DVM from Kansas State University in 1976. I was recruited by Dr. Roger Siegert in Plymouth, and was fortunate to join his four person mixed practice. Two years later, in 1978, I purchased the large animal portion of that practice and established Kettle Moraine Veterinary Clinic (KMVC).   KMVC was a mixed practice until 2005, when it was converted to a companion animal practice.

       In 1985 the WVMA was one of the few state veterinary associations maintaining a health insurance program and I was approached to serve on the insurance committee. The subject matter was personally relevant to me; my son was born three months premature just one year prior. Miraculously, he survived, but a 12-week stay at St. Josephs incurred medical bills approaching $90,000.00. I was thankful insurance covered my son’s medical bills and committed to the development of a sustainable insurance program for other Wisconsin veterinarians. In 1989 I was committee chair and during that time it became apparent that our group was too small for the health care risk and the program was disbanded. During that year, under president Dr. John Dahl, we spent a considerable amount of time insuring that our program could be seamlessly incorporated into the AVMA insurance program.

        I served on the legislative committee from 1990 until 1996. Early in my tenure on that committee we successfully defended the practice of bovine pregnancy examinations as imited only to veterinarians. From 1992 until 1995 I was the WVMA representative to a technical advisory committee to rewrite the rules for medical waste, a charge by Governor Thompson to the DNR.

In late March and early April of 1993, Milwaukee drinking water was identified as the source of a cryptosporidium outbreak. This provoked numerous requests for interviews, many of which were fielded by our committee, and indicated the need to institute a public health and food safety committee.

       Midway through my tenure on the legislative committee we initiated discussion on possible changes to the state veterinary diagnostic laboratory. At that time the laboratory was a division of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and had no affiliation with the UW School of Veterinary Medicine (UW SVM). I was chair of the resulting WVMA ad hoc committee for these changes and representative to the state committee that began discussions with DATCP and UW SVM about a partnership in the diagnostic laboratory. Initially, the progress was slow as DATCP was reluctant to relinquish control of the lab. However, the persistence and patience of UW SVM Dean, Darrell Buss, and a commitment from Secretary of Agriculture, Ben Brancel, finally led to a partnership.  This transformation spanned the terms of four presidents and was completed with a final push by my presidential successor, Dr. Chet Rawson.

       I was elected to the WVMA Executive Board from 1993 until 1996, and then served three years in the presidential succession.  In March of 1996 a train derailment in Weyauwega resulted in a fire and release of hazardous materials. Over 2300 people were forced to rapidly evacuate the area but were required to abandon their pets. I was called to appear on a Green Bay television station to help calm fears about these animals.  After four days with the aid of the National Guard, many were allowed to

rescue their pets. The disaster left many people displaced for more than two weeks.   

        In July of 1997, after 18 months of diligent work by the WVMA staff and the Public Education and Marketing Committee, spearheaded by Dr. David Rhoda, Cows Need Doctors Too, was completed. This joint project with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and the WVMA consisted of a short film intended for grade school children explaining the role of dairy veterinarians. I was selected as the featured veterinarian and was initially skeptical about the film, but was pleasantly surprised as the production company capably compensated for my lack of acting skills.

       During my year as president, we successfully passed legislation prohibiting over the counter sales of rabies vaccine in Wisconsin. Additionally, the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) commenced in 1998. This nationally respected project was another success of the Public Education and Marketing Committee headed by Dr. David Rhoda. Also during that year we made headway in the handling of Johne’s disease, which ultimately led to testing and management practices promoting a decrease in incidence of the disease.  

      A goal of the executive board during my presidential term was to assist UW SVM in financial issues related to decreasing state aid, by promoting dialogue between the school and WVMA members, as well as by addressing the issue of rising student debt at graduation. I am not sure we were able to help much with this considerable issue, and I think we missed a couple of opportunities to assist the school.

       Also during this time the WVMA assisted the development of the Wisconsin Veterinary Practice Managers Association. This association was the dream of Josette Svitter, our practice manager at KMVC.

This organization continues to serve as a principal educational source for many practices throughout the state.

      I served as AVMA alternate delegate from 1999 until 2003, and delegate from 2004 to 2007. A responsibility of the delegate but not alternate delegate was ex-officio service on the executive board. A complete turnover of the board occurred during my term as alternate delegate. Upon my return, I recall being struck by the capabilities of the new board members. The WVMA is blessed by a willing and talented membership, from which I have personally gleaned much knowledge over the years.