Dr.
Paul McGraw of Madison - WVMA President 2004
Paul McGraw, DVM
Personal
Information
I grew up on
a traditional dairy and swine operation in Dodgeville, WI. I became interested
in veterinary medicine during these years dealing with Dodgeville Veterinary
Service. Dr. Ed Lindner (WVMA Past-President 1986) was a tremendous mentor to
me. I spent many weekends throughout my Junior and Senior years of High School
riding with him in practice. I went on to undergraduate study at the UW-River
Falls because at this time the Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine was not
open yet, and River Falls had a strong reputation for getting students into
veterinary school. As it turned out, the UW-SVM did open in time and I was
selected to join the second class in the new school. Upon graduation in 1988, I
joined the mixed animal practice in Dodgeville. During this time Dr. Lindner
and partners introduced me to organized veterinary medicine with the WVMA and
Southwest VMA. The importance of meeting your neighboring practitioners was
demonstrated. In 1990, I purchased a practice with a classmate Dr. Joe Severson
and opened the Darien Veterinary Service in Darien, WI. We merged with the
Clinton Veterinary Clinic six months later with what resulted in Stateline
Veterinary Service. Overall, I practiced nearly 16 years in mixed animal
practice working primarily as a dairy specialist. In 2004, I was hired as the
Assistant State Veterinarian with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture,
Trade and Consumer Protection.
Involvement in the
WVMA
I was
selected as a member of the PE and Marketing committee prior to being elected
to the Executive Board in 1995. I served on the Public Health Committee in
2002-2003, chairing the committee prior to be elected President-elect. I also
served on the finance committee as an ex-officio member while I was on the
Executive Board. I also served on the “Birthing Barn” Committee during the
development of this program and I served on the Best Practices Committee.
Involvement on the
Executive Board
I was on the
Executive Board from 1995-1998.
Annual
Meeting/Convention While President
I believe it
was the first convention held at the Monona Terrace. Dean Daryl Buss was named
the WVMA Veterinarian of the Year. Attendance at the convention increased
nearly 33%, possibly due to the new Continuing Education requirements.
Challenges/difficulties
faced throughout Presidency
The
Continuing Education (CE) Bill was finally passed requiring veterinarians and
veterinary technicians to continue to receive CE in order to maintain
licensure. The WVMA finished an extended committee process led by Dr. Dave
Rhoda to roll out “Best Practices”. A program providing the tools to food
animal veterinarians to document extra label drug use, accurately write
prescriptions and to improve overall documentation to insure both producers and
veterinarians are in compliance. The WVMA with the leadership of Dr. Vic
Eggleston coordinated and sponsored the first “Birthing Barn” at the Wisconsin
State Fair. The WVMA was very active during this time in support of the new
Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory which was to be built next to the
School of Veterinary Medicine. During my presidency the cooperation with the
SVM continued with the WVMA President being named to the SVM Board of Visitors.
Key issues facing the veterinary profession included alternative therapies like
chiropractic and physical therapies, along with Pet Guardianship. The WVMA also
surpassed 2000 members for the first time during this year.
Final Thoughts
All of the
above mentioned issues/topics made for a very rapid year as president of the
WVMA. The Association continues to be a strong member led organization. The
strong committee structure allows for the members to dictate the direction of
the WVMA. My time served on the board and as president were an excellent
experience. The tremendous volunteers that keep the organization strong deserve
the credit for the success of the WVMA.
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