The NCVEI Faces a Formidable Challenge 
By Jeff Rothstein, DVM, MBA

The 1999 National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) megastudy report prepared by KPMG consulting identified a number of issues impacting the economic base of the veterinary profession. These issues ultimately affect all areas of the profession and can diminish the level of patient care provided.

Howard Rubin, CPA, MBA, the newly appointed CEO of the NCVEI, has reiterated six key areas he plans to focus on in order to improve the economic health of our profession: veterinarians' income, economic impact of large numbers of women in the profession, global demand for veterinary services in all categories, inefficiency of the delivery system, supply of veterinarians, skills, knowledge and aptitude of veterinarians and veterinary students.

The commission's initial goal is to create focus groups to develop action steps to improve particular problems. "The NCVEI's scope is not to address all of the issues nor can it be a panacea for all that ails the profession," Rubin said. "Rather, we are looking for some narrow areas where an impact can be determined."

Much emphasis will be placed on creating tools to measure achievements and quantify small improvements, which hopefully, will ultimately lead to more significant improvements.  On that note, the initial life span of the NCVEI is set at five years; at the end of its term, the commission will decide its own fate.

Significant change will occur only if veterinarians believe they must and are willing to change their practice behavior.  While the mission won't be easy, these are exciting times for the profession. Can Rubin, not a veterinarian, motivate and convince the constituents of our profession that now is the time to change?  The new CEO believes that not being a veterinarian may be strength, it will be easier for him to look "outside the box" for solutions to our problems.

The NCVEI invites all interested parties to attend their forum event at the AVMA Annual Convention on July, 16, 2001 in Boston.  For further NCVEI information, contact the commission's office at (847) 925-1230.