Southern Veterinary Conference 2026. Top Speakers, 100+ CE Hours, and More
This year, the Southern Veterinary Conference is happening in Birmingham, Alabama, from August 5 through August 8, 2026. The conference brings together veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and industry professionals for four days of continuing education, networking, and access to the latest products and services.
Hosted by the Jefferson County Veterinary Medical Association, the 38th annual conference features 100+ RACE-approved CE hours, an extensive expo, and multiple educational tracks led by veterinary experts from across the United States.
Why the Southern Veterinary Conference 2026 Matters
The veterinary profession continues to evolve with new research, treatment options, diagnostic tools, and practice management strategies. The Southern Veterinary Conference 2026 gives attendees access to clinical advancements across a wide range of specialties while providing opportunities to connect with industry experts and explore new products and technologies in the exhibit hall.
The Southern Veterinary Conference 2026 schedule combines continuing education with practical sessions that veterinarians and veterinary teams can apply in companion animal practice, specialty hospitals, and mixed practice settings.
Educational Tracks & Speakers at SVC 2026
The Southern Veterinary Conference 2026 features more than 120 educational sessions across multiple learning tracks, including the following:
Dermatology
This dermatology track covers allergic skin disease, feline dermatology, dietary management, otitis, atopic dermatitis, and skin conditions that resemble allergies. Sessions also explore non-allergic dermatoses, fluorescent light therapy, and practical treatment selection for common skin disorders in dogs and cats.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Mollie Mesman
- Dr. Jeff P. Tinsley
- Dr. Sara J. Ramos
- Dr. Kimberly Smart
Internal Medicine
Internal medicine sessions focus on endocrine disorders, diabetes, Cushing's syndrome, liver disease, kidney disease, glucose monitoring, pancreatitis, chronic diarrhea, feline acromegaly, hypothyroidism, insulin therapy, and other complex medical conditions. Case discussions and practical management strategies are included throughout the program.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Shelly Olin
- Dr. Kathryn Cooley Lock
- Dr. Ellen N. Behrend
Clinical Pathology
Clinical pathology presentations examine anemia, inflammation, thrombocytopenia, coagulation disorders, urinalysis, preventive laboratory testing, cancer diagnostics, CBC interpretation, hematology case discussions, and tick-borne diseases. The sessions emphasize laboratory data interpretation and clinical decision-making.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Holly Brown
- Dr. Christy Michael
- Dr. Rick Alleman
- Dr. Guillermo Couto
Small Animal Ultrasound
This ultrasound track covers abdominal and thoracic FAST examinations, Vet BLUE lung ultrasound, echocardiography, respiratory emergencies, pulmonary hypertension, pleural and pericardial effusions, feline respiratory distress, and point of care imaging for rapid diagnosis.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Greg Lisciandro
Emergency and Critical Care
Emergency medicine topics include heat stroke management, feline urethral obstruction, anesthesia for obstructed patients, and emergency stabilization techniques for critical canine and feline cases.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Brandt Tolbert
Practice Management
Practice management sessions explore hospital efficiency, pricing strategies, inventory control, financial planning, AVMA member benefits, veterinary market trends, sales tax compliance, real estate decisions, forward booking systems, and practice growth.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Alex Williams
- Dr. Len Jones
- Scott Huner
- Mike Jorgenson
- Dr. Shannon Sura
Anesthesia
The anesthesia track discusses ECG interpretation, arrhythmias during general anesthesia, alpha 2 agonists, anesthetic planning for high-risk patients, and perioperative management through real clinical cases.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Michele (Mike) Barletta
Surgery
Surgical sessions include orthopedic and neurologic lameness differentiation, osteoarthritis management, perineal hernia repair, urinary tract surgery, minimally invasive procedures, wound healing, gastropexy, gastrointestinal surgery, tumor surgery, wound closure techniques, and surgical oncology.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. John Mauterer
- Dr. Michael Tillson
- Dr. Scarlett Sumner
Parasitology
Parasitology lectures review canine and feline heartworm disease, parasite prevention, updated diagnostic methods, parasite control strategies, and current recommendations for protecting companion animals.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Chris Adolph
Pain Management
Pain management sessions focus on individualized analgesic plans, surgical pain control, chronic osteoarthritis pain, chronic pain therapies, and practical case based approaches for dogs and cats.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Jerrod Johnson
- Dr. Jeff Wilson
Small Animal Medicine
These sessions address pancreatitis, esophageal disease, chronic diarrhea, urinary tract surgery, soft tissue tumors, mast cell tumors, liver disorders, feline triaditis, radiographic interpretation, pet hazards, and other everyday medical and surgical challenges in companion animal practice.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. David Twedt
- Dr. Mike Jaffe
- Dr. John Thomason
- Dr. Tracy Jaffe
Cardiology
Cardiology presentations explore heart murmurs, congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, echocardiography alternatives, and diagnostic approaches for dogs with cardiac disease.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Lance C. Visser
Exotics
The exotics track covers reptile reproductive disorders, rabbit gastrointestinal disease, exotic pet dentistry, and reptile dermatology with practical guidance for companion exotic species.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Lindsey Elswick
Feline Medicine
Feline medicine sessions explore early disease diagnosis in senior cats, feline behavior during veterinary visits, medication administration, feline idiopathic cystitis, and techniques for creating a lower stress experience.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Diane Delmain
GA LEAP (Legal)
These legal presentations review employment contracts, practice sale negotiations, and common legal pitfalls that veterinarians encounter throughout their careers.
Speaker(s)
- Betsy Choder, Esq.
Florida Veterinary Law
Florida-specific law sessions discuss opioid dispensing regulations, medication updates, and state requirements governing veterinary practice.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Sue Hudson Duran
Neurology
Neurology lectures examine spinal and neuromuscular disorders, epilepsy, urinary retention in neurologic patients, neurologic diseases in cats and French Bulldogs, and diagnostic approaches for dogs presenting with weakness or paralysis.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Michaela Beasley
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology sessions focus on spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects, ocular manifestations of viral diseases in cats, diagnosis, and treatment options for common eye conditions.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Jacky Peraza
Dentistry
Dentistry lectures focus on interpretation of normal and abnormal dental radiographs to strengthen diagnosis and treatment planning.
Speaker(s)
- Dr. Bert Gaddis
Discover New Veterinary Products at the Exhibit Hall
In addition to continuing education, attendees can visit the conference exhibit hall to meet veterinary manufacturers, distributors, technology companies, pharmaceutical suppliers, and equipment providers. The expo offers opportunities to view new products, compare equipment, and speak directly with industry representatives.
Among the exhibitors, GerVetUSA will be at Booth #10, showcasing its portfolio of veterinary surgical instruments and equipment. As a manufacturer of veterinary surgical products, the company will present solutions for a variety of surgical procedures, giving attendees an opportunity to visit the booth, explore its latest offerings, and speak directly with product specialists.
Who Should Attend SVC 2026?
The Southern Veterinary Conference 2026 is designed for:
- Veterinarians seeking RACE-approved continuing education
- Veterinary technicians expanding their clinical knowledge
- Practice managers and hospital owners exploring business and operational topics
- Veterinary students preparing for clinical practice
- Members of the veterinary industry interested in networking and product demonstrations
How to Register
Registration for the Southern Veterinary Conference 2026 is now open through the SVC’s official registration portal. Attendees may register for the full conference or attend individual days according to their schedules. Discounted hotel accommodations are available at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham and The Wynfrey Hotel for registered participants as long as room blocks are available.
Discover More Veterinary Conferences & CE Opportunities
Visit the Vet and Tech veterinary conferences page to find upcoming veterinary conferences, webinars, and continuing education opportunities scheduled throughout 2026. Whether you're a veterinarian, veterinary technician, student, or practice team member, you'll find events designed to help you expand your knowledge and stay current with the latest developments in veterinary medicine.
