Linda Fineman, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology) Announces Retirement From the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM)

Dr. Linda Fineman, leader and member advocate, announces her intent to retire as CEO of the ACVIM at the end of 2022. For three years, Dr. Fineman has led the ACVIM through times of change and uncertainty. Her strong relationships with the ACVIM staff and Diplomates, as well as her leadership during the global pandemic, are a testament to her dedication to the veterinary profession. Beginning January 1, 2023, Shannon Carter, EdD, CAE, will fulfill the full-time CEO role. Shannon has served as the ACVIM Chief Strategy Officer since 2019, where she worked closely with Dr. Fineman and the ACVIM staff to solidify the systems that support execution of the ACVIM mission, vision, and values.

Shortly after Dr. Fineman’s time began as the CEO of the ACVIM, the world was thrown into the pandemic, creating disruption in all aspects of the organization’s work. In a new role with only a short time to get established, she had to quickly make decisions that were extraordinary. While collaborating with staff and volunteers to support the ACVIM members, her thoughtful nature and ability to adapt were key in tackling the organization’s challenges.

For example, in the fall of 2021, Dr. Fineman concluded a multi-year process that culminated in the addition of Nutrition as the sixth specialty under the ACVIM umbrella. Alongside the Board of Regents (BOR), she guided the ACVIM through a rigorous due diligence process and established key connections with Nutrition members setting the foundation for a successful integration for the specialty.

Another key area of focus for Dr. Fineman has been her commitment to the health and wellbeing of veterinary specialists, including her passion for advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts in the profession. She served as a liaison for the DEI Task Force appointed by the BOR. Reflecting the shared priorities from BOR’s strategic plan and the feedback from the membership needs assessment, Dr. Fineman continues to work with the ACVIM staff and volunteers to implement changes that reflect our common goals.

To expand the reach of the ACVIM, Dr. Fineman helped create a coalition of key clinical specialty organization executives with the goal of working together to address some of the larger challenges that specialty medicine and the broader veterinary profession are facing. Her role in bringing awareness of the urgency in finding resources to help veterinary specialty medicine grow and thrive is a key contribution that will be carried forward.

“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 BOR chair.

During 2023, Dr. Fineman will remain in a consultative role supporting the ACVIM staff leadership team. Both Dr. Fineman and the ACVIM BOR feel strongly that a Diplomate’s perspective should continue to inform operational decisions, and so plans for future staff leadership following Dr. Fineman’s departure will reflect that need.

After carefully considering succession models, the ACVIM BOR moved to appoint Shannon as the new CEO. As she moves into the senior staff leadership position at the start of 2023, she will continue to leverage her forward-thinking approach in fulfilling the strategic plan as developed by the ACVIM BOR. Shannon comes to the ACVIM with decades of experience in association strategy and leadership, including many years as CEO of large associations with thriving certification programs and highly engaged volunteer communities.

“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.

About the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM)

Based in Greenwood Village, Colorado, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) is the certifying organization for veterinary specialists in cardiology, large animal internal medicine, neurology, nutrition, oncology and small animal internal medicine. With more than 3,000 members, the ACVIM is dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through education, training and certification of specialists in veterinary internal medicine, discovery and dissemination of new medical knowledge, and increasing public awareness of advances in veterinary medical care. To learn more, visit ACVIM.org.

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