Since 1962
Discover Your Trust
There are more than 125,000 veterinarians in the country.
But only one is like you.
Protecting a veterinary business means protecting its people, its property, its equipment, and its reputation. From veterinary owners and practice managers at small and midsize businesses to risk managers and human resource professionals at larger practices, having the strategies and tools to reduce risk and protect employees is essential to success.
We invite you to discover your Trust.
Why choose the AVMA Trust?
Like you, we are passionately involved with the veterinary profession. It’s been our focus since 1962. We believe in the strength of this profession, and we are committed to providing advocacy and support to you and your practice.
We’re also proud to invest in the future of the profession to ensure the next generation of veterinarians, practice managers, and business owners are ready for the challenge.
Our members are our mission
The AVMA Trust is committed to providing unparalleled member value through solutions, services, and products that enhance the security and protection needed for the success of members’ personal and professional goals. To that end, the AVMA Trust is steadfast in its member focus through its insurance protections, risk-mitigation resources, and educational outreach.
Continue reading to learn more about the Trust Veterinarians and the important role they play in advocating for and educating AVMA members.
The Trust Veterinarians
Partnering with the AVMA Trust to protect your veterinary business isn’t like dealing with local insurance agents or large carriers. Our program is vetted by professionals – professionals who understand the challenges and rewards of being a veterinarian because they are veterinarians.
The Trust Veterinarians are your advocates. When you insure your business through the AVMA Trust, you not only combine your buying power with 70,000 other veterinarians to enjoy market leverage and tailored product offerings, you’re backed by a team of doctors advocating for you.
The Trust Veterinarians have many years of practice experience and they put that experience to work for you by:
- Speaking directly with veterinarians who call the Trust
- Reviewing every reported professional liability claim
- Referring the insurance carriers to qualified veterinary experts to assist in defense
- Providing professional guidance to the insurance carriers and their attorneys
- Attending–and often speaking at–veterinary conventions and association meetings to remain at the peak of their profession
- Visiting colleges and schools of veterinary medicine to educate students on practice-related topics
- Providing educational content for webinars, newsletters, and an array of state and national publications
We know you won’t find a comparable resource through other insurance providers.
Linda Ellis
It seems Dr. Ellis has always been devoted to the care of animals and the veterinary profession. By age 8 she knew her destiny—and didn’t waste time with a back-up plan. Summers at her grandparents’ thoroughbred farm introduced her to veterinary care, and it was around that time her dad nicknamed her Bird.
As Director of Trust Veterinarians, Dr. Ellis is here for you. She speaks directly with AVMA members if they have an adverse event during treatment or need guidance with claims. She also dedicates her time to educating AVMA members and veterinary students on risk management and claims avoidance through presentations at veterinary schools, veterinary meetings, and Trust newsletters.
When you speak with Dr. Ellis, be sure to ask about Lily and Olive, her two Labradors (she’s had Labradors for more than 30 years), and Pikachu and Starly, her Cockatiels.
Nina Mouledous
Always surrounded by animals as a child—dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, cows, horses and a pig—Dr. Mouledous has lived a life devoted to animals. After being encouraged into Animal Sciences and Pre-Veterinary School by her brother and a friend, she was the owner and sole practitioner of a mobile clinic that specialized in thoroughbred care.
As a Trust veterinarian, Dr. Mouledous reviews malpractice complaints and serves as a sounding board for AVMA members on various topics from client management to recommended insurance coverages.
Whether you’re looking for advice on a malpractice claim or merely looking to connect with a fellow veterinarian, connect with Dr. Mouledous and you might also hear the latest adventures of Guinness the yellow Labrador, Molly the red Dachshund, or Beethoven the Quarter Horse Cross Hunter/Jumper pony.
Cynthia MacKenzie
Not surprisingly, Dr. MacKenzie’s journey to veterinarian started with her love of all animals. But it’s her devotion to horses that helps define her positive work. Prior to joining the AVMA Trust, she co-founded the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief campaign to provide vaccines to qualifying equine rescues.
As a Trust veterinarian, she’s a dedicated advocate to AVMA members during claims processes and is devoted to creating educational resources and presentations to further the profession. It’s that support that allows members to focus more on what Dr. MacKenzie believes is the best part of being a veterinarian: supporting the human-animal bond by helping improve the lives of animals and the people that love them.
Oh, and when you connect with Dr. MacKenzie, be sure to ask her for a photo of Lily, her “very spoiled and rotten” yellow Labrador Retriever.
Jennifer Frey
When other junior high students were navigating the perils of adolescence, Dr. Frey was already charting her life’s journey. It was in the seventh grade—based on her love of animals and strong interest in math and science—that she decided veterinary medicine was for her.
As a Trust Veterinarian, Dr. Frey is a resource to all members. She loves providing not only guidance but also comfort to veterinarians who may be dealing with a claim, difficult client interactions, or the loss of a patient. Dr. Frey practiced small animal medicine for 20 years (primarily dogs and cats with occasional exotic animals like ferrets, rabbits, and birds).
Today, she’s caring for her own pets Lexie (Shih Tzu mix) and Cosmo (domestic short-haired cat).
Kara Escutia
The coloring exercise in the first grade was a standard classroom activity. But for Dr. Escutia it was a declaration. No, it didn’t say she wanted to be a veterinarian when she grew up; It said “I will be.” It was the anticipation she felt as a child taking her family pets to the veterinarian that helped drive her professional goals.
Now, as a Trust Veterinarian, she reviews professional liability claims and provides support and advocacy for colleagues. She also provides guidance to brokers and carriers on veterinary topics and presents educational programs to veterinary students and teams.
Dr. Escutia lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and two young children. Together they have a Staffordshire Terrier mix named Turtle and two cats: Bagel and Tobby.
Rebecca Stinson
For Dr. Stinson, it’s easy to describe the best part of being a DVM: it’s the grateful hugs, warm nuzzles, and slobbery kisses (from patients) as well as the feeling when someone thanks you for helping them through the last days of a pet’s life.
As Student Services Representative, Dr. Stinson serves veterinary student members in all SAVMA chapters. She partners directly with the student ambassador team to provide educational opportunities and fun contests to help future veterinarians understand the role and value of the AVMA Trust.
Whether you’re currently a student, mentoring a student, or just want to reach out to learn more about Dr. Stinson’s role, be sure to ask her about her farm and her domestic long-haired calico named Cleo, a black mixed-breed dog named Thea, and a Oldenburg-Trachener cross named Reno, who is 17.2 hands tall (that’s 5’10” at the withers for the non-horse people).