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Winterfest 2026

Sunday, February 1, 2026
at the Sheraton Portland Airport

VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists is pleased to present another informative, educational event for veterinary professionals! These programs will include four 50-minute lectures featuring the hospital’s doctors, technicians and leadership team members.

Where:

Sheraton Portland Airport
8235 NE Airport Way
Portland, OR 97220
503-281-2500

Parking at the hotel is complimentary. Bring your ticket to registration for validation.

Cost:

Complimentary/free of charge

Registration:

To register, click on the program title below.

4 CE credits available. The doctor and technician program has been submitted (but is not yet approved for four hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval).

Program:

Registration / Breakfast
7:15 - 7:40 am

Welcome
7:45 - 8:00 am

Speakers
8:00 am - 12:20 pm

Break
10:00 - 10:30 am

Closing Comments
12:20 - 12:30 pm

Doctor Program

7:45 - 8:00 am
Welcome

8:00 - 8:50 am
“When ‘Wellness’ Isn’t So Well: Emergency Stabilization for the General Practitioner”
Lauren Robertson, VMD, Residency trained in Critical Care

9:00 - 9:50 am
“Intervertebral Disc Disease—The Dog, the Myth, the Legend. To Refer or Not to Refer; The Do’s and Don’Ts of IVDD Management”
Brittany D’Amico, DVM, DACVIM, Courtney Korff, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology/Neurosurgery)

10:00 - 10:30 am
Break

10:30 am - 11:20 am
“Herpes Until Proven Otherwise: Corneal Disease in Cats”
Meghan Labaskey, DVM, Specialty Ophthalmology Intern

11:30 am - 12:20 pm
“Evidence Based Medical Management of Canine Osteoarthritis: A Surgeon’s Perspective”
Jose Carvajal, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA, ACVS Fellow (Joint Replacement Surgery)

12:20 - 12:30 pm
Closing Comments

Technician Program

7:45 - 8:00 am
Welcome

8:00 - 8:50 am
“Triaging Canine Ophthalmic Emergencies”
Genia Bercovitz, VMD, DACVO

9:00 - 9:50 am
9–9:50 a.m.
“To Vent or Not to Vent: Benefits & Risks of Ventilating Anesthetized Patients”
Heidi L. Shafford, DVM, PhD, DACVAA

10:00 - 10:30 am
Break

10:30 - 11:20 am
“Something Wicked This Way Comes: Bleeding and Poisoning Cases in the Veterinary ER"
Heidi Houchen, DVM

11:30 am - 12:20 pm
“Incivility in Veterinary Medicine: A Call to Action”
Ashley Byrne, LVT, CVT

12:20 - 12:30 pm
Closing Comments

Hospital Manager Program

7:45 - 8:00 am
Welcome

8:00 - 8:50 am
“Resilience in the Workplace”
Katrina Shiroma, Regional Operations Director, VCA

9:00 - 9:50 am
“A Culture of Safety”
Ashley Byrne, CVT, LVT, Regional Technician Director, VCA

10:00 - 10:30 am
Break

10:30 - 11:20 am
“How to Reduce Your Hospital’s A/R”
Christine Baker-Ortiz, CSR Manager, VCA

11:30 am - 12:20 pm
“Communication Woes: Perspective vs. Perception”
Libby Hamper, Regional Operations Director, VCA

12:20 - 12:30 pm
Closing Comments

For registration or sponsorship assistance, call 503-656-3999 or email Julie.