Malinda Larkin

Senior News Editor at Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA)

Editor of veterinary things. Mother of two (not counting a mischievious Beagle). Hitched to @Larkin_Will. Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!

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Articles

Educational loan repayment plans in flux after court ruling

2 weeks ago | avma.org | Malinda Larkin

The U.S. Department of Education briefly paused enrolling and renewing participants in all income-driven repayment (IDR) plans to comply with a federal court’s injunction. On February 18, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld and expanded an earlier 2024 decision preventing the education department from implementing the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan and parts of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plans.
Utah State provisionally accredited by AVMA COE

2 weeks ago | avma.org | Malinda Larkin

Utah’s first four-year veterinary college is one step closer to becoming accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (AVMA COE). Utah State University (USU) College of Veterinary Medicine announced that it received a letter of reasonable assurance on March 26 after the council met March 13-15. The decision is based on a comprehensive site visit that took place October 27-31, 2024, in Logan, Utah.
Veterinarians among those cut in extensive layoffs at HHS

3 weeks ago | avma.org | Malinda Larkin

Mass firings at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on April 1 have resulted in significant personnel cuts to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health. The layoffs are part of a dramatic restructuring as part of President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative."Health Secretary Robert F.
Veterinary Sector Spotlight: Emergency and critical care veterinary medicine

3 weeks ago | avma.org | Julie A. Jacob |Malinda Larkin

It’s the opportunity to solve medical puzzles that attracted Dr. Kelly Ross to emergency medicine. After graduating in 2008 from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she started out as a general practitioner but quickly found herself drawn to the emergency room (ER).
Veterinary professional associate role moves ahead

1 month ago | avma.org | Malinda Larkin

The first academic program to train veterinary professional associates (VPAs) can proceed despite wider industry concerns about risks to animal health and safety, scope of practice, and veterinary liability. On February 6, Colorado State University’s (CSU) governing board approved the curriculum for VPAs, allowing CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to begin enrolling students in the two-year program this fall.
Specialty, primary veterinarians navigate evolving relationship as demand continues to grow

1 month ago | avma.org | Malinda Larkin |Darcy Lewis

Veterinary medicine has become increasingly complex in recent years. With over 22 specialty organizations and 46 veterinary specialties recognized by the AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS), referrals have become integral to providing comprehensive care. Despite the greater prevalence of advanced veterinary medicine, most pet owners are not prepared for specialty care, with over half admitting limited knowledge about it.
Delegates approve new polices on biosecurity, license by endorsement

2 months ago | avma.org | Malinda Larkin |R. Scott Nolen

The AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) approved seven resolutions on January 11 during its regular winter session, held in conjunction with the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference in Chicago. Most of the resolutions were updates to Association policies that the AVMA Board of Directors (BOD) referred to the HOD, including those on pet ownership, velveting, and integrative veterinary medicine.
Unpacking the science behind resiliency, wellbeing

Jan 20, 2025 | avma.org | Malinda Larkin

Wellbeing is not about being your best self but doing what is best for yourself. There’s a massive difference between the two, says Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, EdD, an education and psychology instructor. “We don’t do wellness for wellness’s sake. We do it because we want to feel better. … We want to keep living these big, bold lives,” she said.
Granstrom retiring from AVMA

Jan 14, 2025 | avma.org | Malinda Larkin

After 22 years with the AVMA, Dr. David E. Granstrom is retiring in March from his position as assistant executive vice president and chief accreditation and certification officer. Dr. Janet Donlin, AVMA CEO, said he has done a “tremendous amount” for the Association while making the announcement at the end of the AVMA House of Delegates regular winter session on January 11 in Chicago.
Balancing growth, quality as veterinary education landscape evolves

Jan 14, 2025 | avma.org | Malinda Larkin

Over the years, fluctuations in the veterinary services market have created tension for veterinary education accreditors. From 2008-15, a weak economy and new veterinary colleges coming online combined with changes in the delivery of veterinary education—shifting from a veterinary teaching hospital to a distributive clinical model—inadvertently turned the AVMA Council on Education’s (COE) accreditation practices into a lightning rod for controversy.