Presidents Letter

Changes to the 2019 (not 2018) ACZM Exam

Important Information for All Mentors and Future Examinees to Read

Over the past year and a half, the ACZM has worked with Schroeder Measurement Technologies (SMT) to conduct an objective exam validation study to systematically evaluate, standardize and strengthen our examination process. Based on the results of this study and recommendations from SMT, the ACZM has decided to change the Day 1 Qualifying Examination to a compensatory scoring model starting with the 2019 examination. Specifically, this means that an overall passing score from all 5 sections combined, rather than each section individually, will be used. The passing score (“cut score”) for the Day 1 Qualifying Examination will be set annually through a process called standard setting which is a systematic evaluation of the question content and difficulty on each section of the examination by subject matter experts (ACZM diplomates). SMT will oversee the standard setting process which determines the cut score needed to pass the Day 1 Qualifying exam (all 5 sections combined) to progress to the Day 2 Certification Examination. Utilizing this standardized process will improve consistency of our examination from year to year and ensure that we are appropriately evaluating the knowledge required to be a diplomate in our College.

This change will eliminate the banking of sections on the Day 1 Qualifying Examination. Any candidate that does not achieve a combined passing score across all five Day 1 sections will have to repeat the entire Qualifying Examination the following year. Those individuals that pass 3 or 4 out of 5 Day 1 sections on the 2018 exam, will only be required to take the remaining 1 or 2 sections on the 2019 exam. Those 1 or 2 sections will be scored using the compensatory scoring model. The 2018 qualifying examination will be scored according to the current policies and procedures (65% passing score on each section).

Answers to Anticipated Frequently Asked Questions are available on the ACZM website.

Welcome the 2017 New ACZM Diplomates

2017 was a busy year for ACZM and for the 20 new Diplomates that spent the year studying and preparing for a successful boards examination. This is a large group of diverse individuals to welcome into the college. To read their bios and get to know them better, check them out here.

Diplomate Highlight: Kirsten Gilardi, DVM, DACZM

ACZM Diplomates may pursue a tremendous variety of pathways, including careers working with animals in zoos, aquaria, free-ranging conditions, and peoples homes. Kirsten Gilardi is a leader in free-ranging wildlife health and conservation. Read more about Kirsten, her career path, and some more AMAZING images from her travels around the world here.

2017 ACZM Business Meeting Recap

The 2017 ACZM Business Meeting covered many topics, many of that have corresponding reports available to read online at ACZM.org after logging in under the Documents tab. These include:

• Executive Committee Members' Reports (President's, Vice President's, Secretary's, Treasurer's)
• Exam Committee Report
• Credential Committee Report
• Training Program Committee Report
• Education Committee Report
• Nominating Committee Report
• Public Relations Committee Report
• And More...

Members can log on at ACZM.org and full reports under the Documents Tab

2017 ACZM Awards

Murray Fowler Award: Suzanne Kennedy-Stoskopf

ACZM Manuscript Award: Julie Sheldon

Upcoming Dates

• 3/31/2018 - ACZM Exam Application Deadline
• 4/1/2018 - Experiential Pathway Scholarship Nomination Deadline
• 4/3 - 4/5/2018 - ACZM Exam Construction Meeting (Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake City, UT)
• 5/19 - 5/23/2018 - IAAAM 49th Annual Conference and Meeting (Long Beach, CA)
• 8/4/2018 - ACZM Exam Prep and Study Course in Conjunction with WDA/AAWV (St Augustine FL) (more info here)
• 8/5 - 8/10/2018 - WDA 67th Annual International Conference (St Augustine FL)
• 9/TBD/2018 - ACZM Exam Prep and Study Course in Conjunction with ExoticsCon (Atlanta, GA)
• 9/22 - 9/27/2018 - ExoticsCon (Atlanta, GA)
• 9/23 - 9/27/2018 - AZA Annual Conference (Seattle, WA)
• 10/6 - 10/12/2018 - Joint AAZV/EAZV/Leibniz-IZW Conference (Prague, Czech Republic)
• 10/7/2018 - ACZM Exam Prep and Study Course in Conjunction with EAZV/AAZV (Prague, Czech Republic)
• 11/2 - 11/4/2018 - ACZM Exam (San Diego Zoo Safari Park, San Diego, CA)

ACZM Bulletin Board

Diplomate Claire Grosset is recruiting patients for a study

We are recruiting intact female rats presenting with one or multiple masses compatible with mammary tumors. These rats will be offered free histopathology of their mass and will be implanted with deslorelin or placebo implants within 30 days, if the mass is confirmed to be fibroadenoma (client informed consent form may be sent upon request). Following implantation, a follow-up visit is requested at 1, 6 and 12 months, or whenever a mass recurrence is noted. Please contact claire.grosset@umontreal.ca if you would like to include a case into this study.

Diplomate Randy Junge has completed the certification exam and has achieved Diplomate status in the American College of Animal Welfare. Congrats Randy!

Do you have news you would like to share with the college? Email stories and posts to Krista.keller@live.com

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