Veterinary Vitals: Recent Episodes
Texas Veterinary Medical Association
Veterinary Vitals is a show produced by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association that examines the veterinary industry, explores the experiences of veterinary professionals and offers advice for navigating the evolving profession.
In this episode, we explore the mental health challenges in veterinary practice with insights from Dr. Marisa Brunetti, and Danielle Baynes, writer and producer of the short film The Dog, highlighting the emotional toll of caring for both animals, and their owners.
The Dog
IndeVets
Not One More Vet is an initiative focusing on mental health within the veterinarian industry. Check them out.
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In this episode, we hear from Dr. Andy Schwartz of the Texas Animal Commission, who at the time of this conversation was just retiring as State Veterinarian and Executive Director. Dr. Schwartz stopped by the Veterinary Vitals booth at TVMA Annual Conference & Expo to share about his time at the agency and several little-known perks of working for the state.
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Today on the podcast, we hear from two power-houses: TVMA Past President Dr. Jodi Long and AVMA President Dr. Rena Carlson about their paths to leadership in the profession.
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Today on the podcast, the 2023-24 Power of 10 Leadership Class participants share their journeys in veterinary medicine and why they sought to further develop their leadership skills! You can learn more about The Power of 10 Leadership Class and apply here by 5/17/24: https://ow.ly/VKmX50Rb2bF
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In this episode, we hear from Dr. Bill Liska, TVMA’s 2024 Distinguished Career Achievement Award Winner at TVMA Annual Conference & Expo in Irving. Dr. Liska received his DVM from Iowa State University in 1973. He completed an internship and surgical residency at The Animal Medical Center in New York in 1976 and became Board Certified by the ACVS in 1980. He practiced in Houston until 1988, when he founded one of the largest multi-disciplinary veterinary specialty hospitals in the country. Dr. Liska was awarded the AVMA Practitioner Research Award in 2009 for his canine and feline hip and knee replacement studies.
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In this episode, we hear a few important legislative updates, as well as the final word from our president Dr. Jodi Long as she prepares to end her term.
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Drs. Cherese Sullivan and Adria Flowers are two veterinarians and practice owners in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Cherese Sullivan graduated from Cornell University with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and has worked in general practice, emergency, and shelter medicine throughout her career.
Dr. Adria Flowers received her Bachelors in Entomology from Texas A&M University in 2006 and obtained a masters in public health from University of Missouri. Dr. Flowers goal is to bring the One Health Initiative into her daily practice.
Drs. Sullivan and Flowers share how they found each other, opened a clinic together and embody diversity and belonging in their practice.
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Sherri Jerzyk, a veterinary technician in the TAMU Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital’s Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, developed "The Grotto" as part of her veterinary social work certificate program. Her experiences in veterinary medicine gave her a passion for addressing mental health in the LVT population.
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To wrap up the year, we hear from veterinarians and veterinary professionals about how they find joy in the tough times. We also take a look across Texas to revel in the accomplishments of our peers. Happy holidays!
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During the legislative session this spring, lawmakers voted to attach the TBVME to another state agency, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for the next four years. Here’s our conversation on the agency’s progress since our last update with Brittany Sharkey, Executive Director of TBVME.
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In this episode of veterinary vitals, we spoke with Drs. Chad Harris and Tracy McAdoo at Southwest Veterinary Symposium in September about the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation. Dr. Harris, the TVMF Board of Trustees President since 2017, handed over the gavel to Dr. McAdoo this year. Listen in as we uncover the hidden potential of TVMF and where the organization is headed in 2024.
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Practice Manager Recognition Week is November 12-18, 2023! This week was created to bring attention to the often-unsung heroes who empower veterinary medical providers to devote their focus to patient treatment and outcomes. Have you thought about how you can appreciate your practice manager this week?
FUN FACT: Practice Managers can now use their CE with TVMA toward their CVPM!
In this episode of Veterinary Vitals, we speak with Susan Driever, CVPM about what it takes to earn your CVPM and be a successful practice manager. Susan is a Course Facilitator for the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association CVPM exams, she serves as the Treasurer for the Houston Veterinary Practice Managers Alliance and served as Secretary with the Houston Veterinary Practice Managers Association from 2020-2023.
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Today on Veterinary Vitals, we speak with Dr. Debra Zoran, Professor for the Small Animal Clinical Sciences department at Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and Interim Director of the Veterinary Emergency Team (VET). Dr. Zoran specializes in emergency preparedness and response, and the use of simulations in the teaching of disaster.
She earned a BS in animal science from Kansas State University, an MS in clinical sciences from Iowa State University, and a DVM and a Ph.D. in nutrition, both from Texas A&M. Listen in as Dr. Zoran shares the origin of TAMU's VET and how they serve communities in Texas.
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Dr. Pierce is a graduate of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. He was an ophthalmology intern at the Eye Care for Animals & Biological Test Center in California and at Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Pierce completed his residency in ophthalmology and received his Masters Degree.
This episode is sponsored by VESPECON. VESPECON partners with specialty veterinary practices so you can offer specialty care on the cases that need it. You can continue managing your cases while actively collaborating with dedicated, board-certified specialists. VESPECON provides you with a dedicated liaison, a network of specialists on demand, collaboration through the entire case life cycle and communication that suits your busy schedule. Visit vespecon.com to learn more.
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Welcome to the season 5 premiere of Veterinary Vitals! This season begins with a timely update from Dr. Lori Teller, AVMA past-president and TVMA past-president, on illicit xylazine. AVMA helped develop, introduce, and build support for the bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, which seeks to keep the drug's legitimate veterinary uses under the current prescription status.
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With more than a year at TVMA, Executive Director Troy Alexander reports on the State of the Association. From developments with the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to the opening of a new veterinary school at Texas Tech University, Mr. Alexander shares the challenges and successes in organized veterinary medicine.
This is the season finale of Season 4! Season 5 will begin this Fall. We welcome feedback and ideas for the podcast. Email awood@tvma.org.
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Dr. Crocker is a speaker and social media personality. She works as an ER veterinarian for veterinary emergency group in Dallas and owns Alta Vista Animal Hospital. She supports fellow veterinary professionals and educates the pet-owning public through her various endeavors. Dr. Crocker is also a TVMA member and serves on several committees.
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Enjoy this sneak peak of Dr. Ralph Harvey's CE session from TVMA Annual Conference. Dr. Harvey currently works as a consultant in practice and industry promoting best medicine, including Fear Free practices, and new advances in patient care, with a focus on the management and relief of animal pain and suffering.
Dr. Harvey formerly taught anesthesia and pain management in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, Tennessee. He has served as the section head for the Small Animal Surgical Services and as a member of the University Faculty Senate. His veterinary degree is from the UTCVM, and his post-graduate training included internship, residency and fellowship at Cornell’s Veterinary and Medical Colleges.
Dr. Harvey has worked in private small animal practice. He is certified as a specialist by the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia and has served as their executive secretary and as a member of the ACVAA Board of Directors. He currently is a member of the Fear-Free Executive Council.
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In today’s episode, we speak with Tabitha Baibos and Tomas Reyes about their award-winning veterinary AI tool, RadAnalyzer. Tabitha is a 4th-year veterinary student at Texas A&M University and Tomas graduated from Texas A&M University in May 2020 with his Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and in August 2022 with his Master’s in Electrical Engineering. His focus was in applied machine learning (AI). Tabitha and Tomas met at Texas A&M, are cofounders of RadAnalyzer, and are engaged to be married! Listen to their story.
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As the Director of Corporate Relations for Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine, TAMU Health, and the School of Engineering Medicine, Dr. Will McCauley serves as a dedicated conduit for companies seeking to partner with Texas A&M University. These partnerships empower Texas A&M's incredible students, dedicated faculty, and innovative programs to improve the health of people, animals, and the environment. Today, Dr. McCauley shares from his experience on veterinary career opportunities in the regulatory sector.
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Dr. Richard Stone, Vice President of Medicine at Blue Pearl Pet Hospital, discusses improving medical quality in veterinary medicine. Dr. Stone received his DVM from Texas A&M University in 2004, and completed a Veterinary Internal Medicine Residency Program at The University of Georgia in 2011. Dr. Stone ensures regional and local medical leaders across the country can deliver on the BluePearl promise of remarkable care. He is also the recipient of the 2023 TVMA Medical Specialty Practitioner of the Year Award.
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Walter Brown, RVTg is an Emergency and Critical Care specialty veterinary technologist, social media public figure, influencer, comedian and founder of SKINNI GO LIVE LLC. Walter combines his background in veterinary medicine with comedy to bring education and relief to veterinary professionals around the world. When he isn’t devoting time to his brand, Walter works as a veterinary technologist program liaison for United Veterinary Care, where he cultivates relationships with veterinary technology programs and provides veterinary technology students with opportunities and resources to pave the way for future career interest.
This episode is sponsored by Wedgewood Pharmacy. WedgewoodPharmacy.com is your gateway to the many medications and services for veterinarians who have made Wedgewood Pharmacy one of the largest custom-compounding pharmacies in America
Wedgewood is partnering with TVMA for a webinar on March 22 at 6:30 pm that is free to all TVMA members that is focused don the FDA Compounding Rule Deadline. That rule goes into effect on April 1, so this webinar is intended to help make sure veterinary practices are prepared.
Special panelists for the webinar include Dr. Madeline Droog, a Small Animal Clinical Pharmacist at Texas A&M School o Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Dr. Sarah Wagner, a professor of Pharmacology at Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine, and Marcy Bliss, CEO of Wedgewood Pharmacy. This webinar is 1 hour credit through both RACE and eligible for TBVME as well.
To register for this webinar, go to the front page of www.tvma.org/
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Dr. Jodi Long graduated from Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001 and started her career in Houston in 2003. She now serves as the General Practice Mentor Veterinarian for National Veterinary Associates. As someone who has attended many TVMA events over the years, we hear from her about what makes our Annual Conference unique and how newcomers can find their tribe.
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In this episode, we hear a preview of the February issue of Texas Veterinarian magazine. Can the State Turn the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Around? by Steve Levine reveals historical challenges at the TBVME and the agency's wake up call for big change.
After the reading, we catch up with Trent Hightower, TVMA's General Counsel and Director of Government Relations, to hear his thoughts on the proposed changes.
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New executive director of TBVME, Brittany Sharkey, JD, discusses steps the agency is taking to better service Texas veterinarians and the industry.
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Dr. Heidi Lobprise graduated from Texas A & M University in 1983 and became a board certified veterinary dentist in 1993. In 2003, she joined the Veterinary Specialty Team of Pfizer Animal Health, and in 2010, she became the Senior Technical Manager for Virbac Corporation. She helped organize, and was the first president of, the International Veterinary Senior Care Society, whose mission is to provide resources targeting the complete health care needs of senior pets to the veterinarian, their team, and clients.
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In this episode of Veterinary Vitals, we hear from Trent Hightower, General Counsel and Director of Legislative Affairs at TVMA about upcoming legislation that impacts the veterinary profession.
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Today on Veterinary Vitals, I speak with Dr. Robert Valeris-Chacin, assistant professor at Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Valeris-Chacin was recently awarded a $100,000 grant through Texas A&M AgriLife Research from the USDA-NIFA Animal Health and Disease Research Capacity Program. The grant will be used to research associated pathogens of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD).
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Season 4 Premiere: In order to bring you more quality episodes about what’s happening in Texas veterinary medicine, we’re offering you a sneak peak into TVMA members’ exclusive benefit, Texas Veterinarian magazine. Each month, we'll select an article from the magazine to share with you as a reading on the podcast. Starting with this article from Dr. John August, the Carl B. King Dean of the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine, entitled “Veterinary Research in the Texas Panhandle”.
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In this episode, we hear from Tina Garcia, CMM, CMP, the Executive Director of Southwest Veterinary Symposium, on what attendees can look forward to at the event this year. SWVS is in Fort Worth this year, September 22nd - 25th.
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Raquel Leal, LPC, program director at Professional Recovery Network (PRN), shares what they can do to help veterinarians with mental health or addiction issues. It’s a nationally recognized peer assistance program dedicated to helping health care professionals enter a safe, healthy recovery.
Visit www.txprn.com for information on how to use this TVMA member benefit! Additional mental health resources for veterinarians are available at www.avma.org.
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This episode, we hear from Dr. Tom Nelson, the Medical Director at Animal Medical Center of N.E. Alabama on heartworm prevention. Dr. Nelson comes very highly recommended for this topic from those in the TVMA network. Dr. Nelson graduated from Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine with his DVM in 1979. Dr. Nelson is considered a pioneer for his clinical work in the study of heartworm disease in cats. Listen as Dr. Nelson shares what veterinarians need to be reminded of with heartworm prevention and treatment.
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Dr. Katie Eick shares her career story from owning a private practice to starting a mobile clinic. Listen as she encourages veterinarians to find their own path in the profession.
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In this episode, Dr. Melinda Merck talks about the signs of animal cruelty. Dr. Merck provides expert consultations and case work on a variety of animal related cases, including criminal and civil cases. She has training and experience in a wide range of crime scene and forensic science topics. She provides expert case review including veterinary reports, investigation findings and crime scene analyses.
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We hear from Dr. Shanti Jha, the Chief of Surgery at Pet Specialists of Austin and the National Surgery Director at Thrive Pet Healthcare. Dr. Jha shares about barriers affecting accessibility to veterinary care. This is a very important topic because in 2016, the AVMA reported that nearly 21% of dog-owners and 52% of cat-owners didn’t take their pet to the vet at all. So what can the veterinary profession do to promote greater access to care? Listen now and find out!
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In this episode, we hear from two representatives from the Texas House on their campaigns for the upcoming election, Drs. Glenn Rogers and Lynn Stucky. These two representatives are running for different seats; Dr. Rogers for District 60 and Dr. Stucky for District 64.
Election Day is March 1st, and if you’re in districts 60 or 64, be sure to support your fellow veterinarians. See if you’re registered to vote and find your nearest polling place at www.votetexas.gov.
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Dr. Caitlin Conner shares her experience in the 2019 TVMA Power of 10 Class. Back for 2022, the leadership program will provide ten veterinarians with six leadership development sessions over a nine-month period. The program was previously limited to recent graduates, but is now open to veterinarians during any stage of their career. Participants will hear from topic experts in sessions that not only convey the key learning points about leadership, but also deepen the understanding of class members on a number of related topics.
Participants will receive full tuition scholarships to the program – plus complimentary registration to the TVMA Annual Conference, where Power of 10 Leadership Program graduates will be recognized. To join the 2022 P10 Program, apply at www.tvma.org.
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It’s time to meet IN-PERSON once again. We can’t wait to bring the entire veterinary community together at the hottest meeting venue in Texas,Kalahari Resort in Round Rock for the 2022 TVMA Annual Conference & Expo! We are talking some serious ‘get away’ time where you can grow professionally and provide your family a mini-vacay!
Register here: https://www.tvma.org/Education-Opportunities/Annual-Conference
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Announcing the next TVMA Executive Director, Troy Alexander. Mr. Alexander has been involved with Texas politics since 1989. He has served bipartisan efforts in the Texas Legislature, worked as a senior executive in a state agency and with private associations. He comes to TVMA from Texas Medical Association (TMA) where he served as the Director for Legislative Affairs. In this role, he helped develop political strategy and was the lead advocate on a wide array of public health, ethics, privacy, health information technology, and tax issues. He returned to TMA in late 2010 after previously serving from 1999-2003 as Director of Political Education. In that capacity, he was responsible for TEXPAC, one of the largest political action committees in the state and nation.
Immediately prior to returning to TMA, Mr. Alexander served as the Director of the Center for Program Coordination, Policy and Innovation at the Texas Department of State Health Services. He led a staff of policy analysts and program specialists who tackled cross divisional policy concerns, implementation of 2010 federal health care reform and staffed the gubernatorially appointed DSHS Council. Prior to DSHS, he served as Senior Policy Analyst for Health and Human Services for the Texas Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Alexander will begin his service as TVMA’s Executive Director on March 7th.
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In the final episode of 2021, Drs. Lori Teller and Lauren Boyer discuss the impact TVMA committees have on the association and the profession as a whole.
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In this episode of Veterinary Vitals, we speak with key TVMA staffers on the continuing education they have lined up over the next 4 months. Learn about new course credits, topics and speakers that might be coming to a city near you!
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Meet TVMA's newest hire, Trent Hightower, JD, and learn about what motivates, inspires and challenges him in the legal profession.
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In this episode, immerse yourself in the sounds of Southwest Veterinary Symposium and find out what you missed. The event was a huge success, beginning with the meeting of the TVMA Board of Directors and ending with the VPAC Denim and Diamonds event.
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Executive Director Chris Copeland will retire from TVMA in June 2022 after 24 years at the association. Listen in as he shares TVMA's accomplishments, his hopes for the future and why he's retiring before 60.
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Dr. Kirk Esmond, founder of Josey Ranch Pet Hospital in Carrollton, TX, is the recipient of the TVMA Companion Animal Practitioner of the year award. He received his Bachelors of Science in Animal Science from TAMU in 1983, his B.S. in Veterinary Science in 1985, and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1987. He has been involved with the breeding and showing of AKC registered dogs for the last 40 years. He offers full diagnostic reproduction services for canines and His interest in reproduction has spanned his 30 year career. Dr. Esmond is also currently employed by Zoetis as their reproductive technical consultant and the national trainer for all new semen freezing centers.
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In this episode of Vital News, we hear about Southwest Veterinary Symposium (September 23-26, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas). From how it all began to what you can expect this year, Ellen Forsythe, CMP, answers all of your questions.
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“I started treating monkeys 30 years ago and it all started with one out of the Helping Hands program.”
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Jed Ford of Family Pet Clinic about the only patient he ever had tell him what was wrong. Dr. Ford practices on small animals and exotics in the Greater Fort Worth area.
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In this episode of Vital News, we hear from Elizabeth Choate, JD, the Director of Government Relations and General Counsel for TVMA, on the legislation passed in the Texas House.
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“Even though my friends and family were supportive, having someone that knew exactly what I was going through was just invaluable throughout this.”
In this episode, we hear from recent graduate Dr. Connor Rethman on her journey through vet school with a mentor. We also get to see what it's like for her mentor, Dr. Ann Macfarland. She shares why mentorship is important to her and what she got out of it.
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“What has been produced here is the best agricultural facilities outside of College Station that exist in this state.”
Dr. Bruce Akey, the Director of the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Lab and Dr. Susan Eades, the Associate Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, give us an inside look on the grand opening of the new facilities.
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“That technology is just beginning to become affordable for more specialty centers to be able to provide that to their clients. So that's a huge breakthrough in the way we treat cancer. But it hasn't happened overnight. It's been a gradual process over the last decade or so.”
In the first episode of season two, Dr. Zachary Wright of VCA Animal Diagnostic Clinic in Dallas, Texas shares the latest breakthroughs in veterinary oncology, the ability to create custom treatment plans and the importance of client education.
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This episode marks the final one with Dena Goldstein as your host. If you’d like to keep in touch, email Dena at DenaGoldsteinSTL@gmail.com.
“Veterinary medicine, as we talked about before, is very underrepresented, and this is where I can potentially channel this energy into making that change within this profession.”
Having conversations about race in veterinary medicine can be uncomfortable and far from easy. However, to Dr. Niccole Bruno of Companion Animal Hospital, it’s vital in order to create change in the profession. In this episode, Dr. Bruno shares the barriers people of color face when attempting to enter veterinary school, why representation in the profession matters and how allies are crucial in creating change.
References
https://www.aavmc.org/programs/diversity/
https://datausa.io/profile/soc/veterinarians#demographics
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“And that’s the nice thing about being solo…is it’s my decision.”
Dr. Tamra Walthall, who is TVMA’s President Elect, has been a solo practitioner for more than 35 years. She opened La Vega Veterinary Clinic in Waco when she was just 28 years old. She didn’t plan on being a solo veterinarian, but it just worked out that way. In this episode, she discusses the challenges she’s faced over the course of her veterinary career, the benefits of working solo, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She also talks about how she met her husband and their travels around the world.
Would you like to get in touch with the host? Email Dena at DenaGoldsteinSTL@gmail.com
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"I always laughed in the past like, 'You could never do vet school online. You have to do labs multiple times a week, we need to learn to suture, we need to learn to do surgery…' And I just remember having this moment of fear when they were like, 'online vet school.' And I wasn’t sure what that was going to look like."
Being a veterinary student is hard enough with keeping up with coursework, attending labs, gaining surgical skills and securing externships. When Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine closed its physical campus in the spring semester of 2020 due to the pandemic, students were faced with additional challenges and forced to adapt to these changes. Second-year veterinary student Morgan Gunn and third-year veterinary student Carley Johnson discuss how they adjusted, honed their surgical skills at home, stayed connected with their peers and networked with future employers.
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“Every month was kind of a beatdown. I swear I would never pee on a stick ever, ever again.”
Drs. Lori Teller and Nancy Turner knew they wanted to have children, respectively, but the journey to get there wasn’t easy. Both experienced infertility and ended up going down different paths. Dr. Turner eventually got pregnant and gave birth to her son, Sterling, whereas Dr. Teller pursued adoption and welcomed her son, Austin. In this episode, Dr. Turner shares what it was like being pregnant, experiencing postpartum depression, and balancing motherhood with her career. Dr. Teller discusses the process of adopting Austin and the maternity leave that followed. While their journeys may be different, they both deeply love being mothers.
Dr. Lori Teller works at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine as the Clinical Associate Professor of Telehealth. Dr. Nancy Turner works for ReadiVet, an in-home health care provider.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/depression/index.htm#Postpartum
https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/index.htm#
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“I like doing the forensics work and I like working at the grocery store and I really think that blend could work.”
The pandemic has significantly impacted the way people live, work, and interact with loved ones. Our guest today, Melinda Merck, DVM, who is a veterinary forensics expert, had to find a second job. While she is still the owner of Veterinary Forensics Consulting, she also works at her community grocery store, Randall’s. There, she has formed tight-knit relationships with employees and customers.
Her need to take on this additional role indicates that veterinary forensics on a broader scale has been impacted. In this episode, she delves into the pandemic’s impact on interpersonal violence and animal abuse, what working at the grocery store means to her, and how she and her team coped with the extreme winter storm last month. To learn more about Dr. Merck’s work, please visit http://www.veterinaryforensics.com/
If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate the show and write a review.
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“It’s more than just providing this little stuffed animal for a survivor. It’s about keeping their family intact and letting them know that they got out and everybody is safe.”
Dr. Katie Luke is the Chief Operations Officer at the Austin Humane Society (AHS), the “largest no-kill, non-profit pet and adoption center in Austin, Texas.” Their mission is to “offer comprehensive, humane, life-saving animal services, transforming the lives of animals and those who love them.” In this episode, Dr. Luke delves into all of these inspirational programs offered by AHS, her role in facilitating the programs, and the impact they have on survivors of domestic violence and others in crisis. AHS truly helps keep people and their pets together during and following unimaginable circumstances.
To learn more about the Austin Humane Society, please visit http://www.austinhumanesociety.org/ If you have any questions about their pet food pantry, please email petfoodpantry@austinhumanesociety.org or call their events line at 512-685-0118.
We love receiving story ideas, comments, and Apple Podcast reviews, so feel free to email Dena Goldstein at DenaGoldsteinSTL@gmail.com or write a review below!
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Veterinary medicine has evolved significantly over the past 50 to 60 years. Dr. Doyle “Bud” Cooper, who graduated from Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1964, speaks to this evolution, from the emergence of specialists in the profession to pet owners considering their dogs and cats a part of the family. As he outlines these changes, he also shares his story of becoming a veterinarian; building, buying and selling multiple clinics during his 56 years in the profession; and how the people in his life shaped him.
Dr. Cooper works at Northside Animal Hospital in Waco, Texas. He has owned and operated veterinary practices in Garland, Brownwood, San Antonio, and Waco, Texas.
If you’re enjoying this podcast, we would love to hear from you. Write a review on Apple Podcasts. We love reading them, and if you have a minute to spare, we would love to read yours too. And if you have a story idea, email Dena Goldstein at DenaGoldsteinSTL@gmail.com.
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"All of those curveballs that life throws us are trying to derail us, and you’ve got to have a real good sense of yourself and what’s important to you to continue to navigate that path."
For Dr. Jennifer Lavender, those curveballs are compassion fatigue—something many veterinarians cope with—the devastating loss of her sister, a battle with substance abuse, and her attempt to balance her personal and professional commitments. She is the owner and practitioner of MetroPaws Animal Hospital in Dallas and the Medical Director of the Oak Cliff Location. Beyond her full-time roles, she’s a volunteer surgeon of the Spay Neuter Network, President of its Board of Directors and the mother of two. She also practices yoga.
In this episode, she talks about how she juggles these activities, copes with the loss of her sister, and remains sober. She’s been through a lot and has come out on the other side with resilience, strength and positivity.
If you’re enjoying this podcast, we would love to hear from you. Write a review on Apple Podcasts. We love reading them, and if you have a minute to spare, we would love to read yours too.
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“With the emergence of corporate, the whole game has changed. I mean, with corporates coming in and buying practices, veterinarians are becoming multimillionaires.”
Dr. Randy Carsch, the President of Veterinary Sales and Consulting, helps those veterinarians determine the true value of their clinics, get them ready to sell and make a meaningful, well-earned profit. He is a veterinarian, practice consultant and licensed real estate agent. To learn more about him and work with him, please visit https://vetsalesconsulting.com/about-us/.
If you’re enjoying this podcast, we would love to hear from you. Write a review on Apple Podcasts. We love reading them, and if you have a minute to spare, we would love to read yours too.
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We're taking a little break during the holiday season, and our next episode will drop January 7. But before 2020 comes to a close, we wanted to thank you—our listeners. We couldn’t have done it without you. We're always open to ideas, so if you’d like to hear about a certain topic or from one of your favorite veterinarians or LVTs, email Dena at DenaGoldsteinSTL@gmail.com.
We wish you, your family, friends, and pets a safe and happy holiday season. We'll see you in 2021!
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“To be a student in that first class is, quite honestly, bragging rights for that student. They were apart of the first class at Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine.” -Dean Guy Loneragan, DVM
Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine (TTU-SVM) in Amarillo, Texas, welcomes its first class of students in the fall of 2021. This will make TTU-SVM the second veterinary school in Texas with Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine being the first and only for more than 100 years. The idea to open a second a veterinary school emerged in the 1970s, but it took 50 years for it to come to fruition. After receiving funding in 2019 from the Texas Legislature, the school broke ground and began constructing its state-of-the-art facilities.
Our guest Dean Guy Loneragan, DVM, shares what it took to get to this moment, why there was a need for a second veterinary school and how it will benefit the veterinary medicine profession in Texas.
To learn more about Texas Tech University College of Veterinary Medicine, please visit https://www.depts.ttu.edu/vetschool/. You can learn more about Dean Guy Loneragan by visiting https://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/facultybios/2020/Loneragan.php.
If you’re enjoying this podcast, we would love to hear from you. Write a review on Apple Podcasts. And if you have a story or guest idea, please contact host Dena Goldstein at DenaGoldsteinSTL@gmail.com.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted so many aspects of our daily lives. In the veterinary medicine profession, many veterinarians and their staff are doing curbside service. But this isn’t the first time the veterinary community has faced a pandemic. In the late 1970s to 1980s, parvovirus— a highly contagious virus that affects the gastrointestinal tract in dogs—emerged. It eventually was considered a pandemic because it reached dogs across the world. Our two guests from Dallas—Dr. Tony Myers and Kelly Richardson—take us back to that time: a time when veterinarians waited for a safe, effective vaccine to become available and scrambled to figure out what the virus was and how to treat it.
A big thank you goes to TVMA member Dr. Geoff Bratton from Dallas for this episode idea!
Sources:
Texas A&M Veterinary Lab Testing People For COVID-19
https://today.tamu.edu/2020/04/29/texas-am-veterinary-lab-testing-people-for-covid-19/
TVMDL, Physicians Preferred Laboratory, Ltd. establish partnership to increase human COVID-19 testing
https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/2020/05/27/tvmdl-physicians-preferred-laboratory-ltd-establish-partnership-to-increase-human-covid-19-testing/
Cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Animals in the United States
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/one_health/downloads/sars-cov2-in-animals.pdf
Different COVID-19 Vaccines
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines.html
“The Covid-19 Vaccine: When Will It Be Available for You? First U.S. rollouts of doses could start in December, but health-care workers, older Americans likely to take priority over general population”
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-covid-19-vaccine-when-will-it-be-available-for-you-11606339361
Canine parvovirus
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/canine-parvovirus
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"When I was in vet school, my dad had a heart attack and we did a lot of learning about heart disease and what happens when people have heart attacks and that just spurred my interest. I said, ‘This is it. This is what I'm going to do.’”
Dr. Sara Bordelon—who works for CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets in Austin, Texas—never looked back. After earning her DVM degree from Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005, she completed her Cardiology residency at Washington State University and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology) in July 2009. To this day, she chats with her dad about cardiac conditions and the similarities humans and animals share.
She is in such a niche field that veterinary cardiologists are often described as unicorns because there are so few in the world—less than 400. She reveals that she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. She also answers frequently asked questions and discusses the importance of early referrals and veterinary cardiologists co-managing patients with cardiac conditions. https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.249.1.72
Dr. Sara Bordelon joined CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets in 2015. Dr. Bordelon has a special interest in feline cardiac disease, management of arrhythmias, diagnosis and management of congenital cardiac disease, and management of pulmonary arterial hypertension. To learn more about her and CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets, visit https://www.cvcavets.com/doctor_directory/sara-beth-bordelon/
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“Really diving deep into educational research that has to do with diversity, equity and inclusion and how do we help our colleges do better.”
Approximately 21 percent of veterinary students enrolled in the 2019-2020 academic year comprise individuals who are underrepresented in veterinary medicine. This statistic comes from the public data set provided by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). The person who collects this data is Dr. Lisa Greenhill, the Senior Director of Institutional Research and Diversity at AAVMC. She is charged with the development and implementation of the DiVersity Matters Initiative. In this episode, she outlines the programs that fall under this initiative, including the collection and publication of this data, the implementation of holistic reviews of veterinary college applicants as well as the podcast "Diversity & Inclusion on Air: Conversations about Diversity, Inclusion & Veterinary Medicine." You can find her podcast on YouTube and SoundCloud.
Dr. Greenhill earned a master’s degree in Public Administration (with a specialization in health policy) from George Mason in Fairfax, Virginia, and an EdD in Higher Education Administration and Organizational Change from Benedictine University. To learn more about Dr. Greenhill, please read her bio.
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"Self awareness is the cornerstone to constructs such as emotional intelligence."
Emotional intelligence is the ability of individuals to recognize their emotions and those of others. Developing this construct can help veterinarians and veterinary staff immensely, from enhancing clinic culture to improving patient outcomes. In this episode, Deb Stone, MBA, PhD, CVPM, unpacks emotional intelligence, shares how to measure it and what veterinarians and veterinary staff can learn from their scores moving forward.
Dr. Stone has a PhD in Organizational Leadership and is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. Currently, she is the Assistant Director of Continuing Education and Digital Education Lead for the American Veterinary Medical Association. She also owns and operates Stone Veterinary Practice Management. Dr. Stone is a national speaker and the founder of Austin City Unlimited Veterinary Management Symposium. Visit https://drdebstone.com/ to read her full bio.
Be sure to rate the show and write a review. High ratings and reviews help expand our reach within the veterinary medicine community. We can't thank you enough!
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"Seeing someone doing what you want to do that looks like you is tremendously affirming, especially if you’ve never seen that person before."
Dr. Hindatu Mohammed owns Allandale Veterinary Clinic in Austin, Texas—which makes her the only black female veterinary practice owner in Austin (that she is aware of). This statement illustrates the scarcity of black veterinarians. This doesn't just apply to Texas, as this is a nationwide trend. In fact, just three percent of U.S. veterinary students students in the class of 2020 are black, according to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. So what is it like being a minority in veterinary medicine? Dr. Mohammed often feels out of place. However, despite these feelings, she carries on and follows her passion for helping animals. Dr. Mohammed also talks about her childhood as an immigrant from Nigeria, why she took a break between undergraduate studies and veterinary school and what allyship means to her.
Dr. Mohammed earned her DVM from Cornell University in 2007. To learn more about Allandale Veterinary Clinic and her background, please visit https://www.allandalevetclinic.com/staff/
If you’re enjoying this podcast, we would love to hear from you. Write a review on Apple Podcasts. We just surpassed our 30-episode milestone, so to commemorate this achievement, we set a goal of getting 30 reviews. We love reading them, and if you have a minute to spare, we would love to read yours too.
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"I could see this was going to be something that veterinary medicine takes on, and I wanted to be a part of that journey to bring it to other people and make veterinary medicine more about our patients."
Dr. Bethany Weinheimer is a part of a revolution in emergency veterinary medicine. She and David Bessler, DVM, the founder of Veterinary Emergency Group, share what makes this model unique for both clients and patients. For example, they don't place the pet on the exam table but meet the pet at its natural space--on the ground. They don't let the pet owner leave their pet's side in the middle of a crisis. This movement is taking off and VEG is expanding, beginning with its first Texas location in Fort Worth.
This episode is sponsored by Hippo Manager Veterinary Practice Management Software, Inc.: https://hippomanager.com/
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"This college of veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences is a very highly ranked college, not only nationally but around the world, so firstly it’s an extraordinary privilege to be asked to come back and take a leadership role."John August, DVM, interim dean of Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, outlines his goals for the university during his tenure, illustrates the invaluable relationship between the College and TVMA, and enthuses over his Thursday afternoon radio show “Global Rhythms” on KAMU.FM 90, which airs every Thursday at 2:06 pm after the national news on KAMU.FM 90.9: https://www.kamutvfm.org/ To learn more about Interim Dean August, read this article: https://today.tamu.edu/2020/05/26/dr-john-august-named-interim-dean-of-college-of-veterinary-medicine-biomedical-sciences/
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"Making that decision was probably one of the hardest ones that I have made in my career."
Finding joy in the profession isn't always a linear path. That was the case for Dr. Tannetje’ Crocker, who had to make a major career move to achieve satisfaction in her job. Her decision required adaptability, open-mindedness and the ability to speak up. After finding joy in the profession, she wants to help future and young veterinarians do the same. She understands that with so many obstacles, it can be easy to feel depleted. She offers guidance and advice to help her younger colleagues navigate the common stressors of the profession. Visit her website for resources www.drcrockerpetvet.com and follow her on Instagram: @dr.tannetje.crocker. Purchase her book Dr. Crocker's Veterinary Adventures on the Snout School online store https://shop.snoutschool.com/
Here's a full list of Instagram handles she encourages her peers to follow to stay connected with the veterinary community, have access to mentorship opportunities and stay up-to-date on the latest procedures.
@thevetitude
@vetsontherise
@vet_redefined
@doctor_brooke
@thedermvet
@thrivedvmpodcast
@thatvetlifepodcast
@snout.school
@it.might.get.weird
This episode is sponsored by Collin College Veterinary Technology Program. Housed at the brand new Wylie Campus, this program offers cutting-edge technology and hands-on opportunities. To learn more, visit www.collin.edu/department/vettech/
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"When I was at my worst, I felt broken. I felt like 'why can't I be happy?'"
When William McCauley, DVM, suffered from clinical depression, he came close to committing suicide. This moment was a turning point for him. He realized he needed to make a major change in his life and career. This change shifted his outlook on life, and now he wants to share his story to help others in the veterinary medicine profession. To offer some context and guidance, we brought on Jen Brandt LISW-S, PhD, the Director of Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Diversity Initiatives at the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. McCauley is the Director of the Veterinary Biologics department at the Animal Health Institute (AHI), a trade association in Washington D.C. that represents companies that develop and produce animal medication: https://ahi.org/
Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 and https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
AVMA Well-being: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/wellbeing
TVMA Wellness: https://www.tvma.org/Practice/Wellness
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/suicideTechnicalPackage.pdf
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.org/
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"Being Hispanic and trying to get into veterinary school is difficult. My big thing is I just needed someone to look past my last name."
Born to immigrant parents, Dr. Victor Lopez faced multiple barriers to achieving his dream of becoming a veterinarian. Those challenges included his parents' language barrier, few resources, a Latino last name and three rejections from Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine. Yet, he managed to overcome these obstacles, and he just earned his DVM on May 1 from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama. Now, Dr. Victor Lopez works at Chisholm Trail Veterinary Clinic in Luling, Texas.
To read a full story about Dr. Lopez's journey of becoming a veterinarian, visit https://innovetivepetcare.com/news/dr-victor-lopez/
If you have a story to share, please contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org. Be sure to rate the show, write a review and follow us on social media. @texas_vma #TVMAPodcast #VeterinaryVitals.
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"As a business owner in a rural area, I'm going, 'Dang it. I need another veterinarian.' And right now, they aren't easy to come by."
There is a shortage of rural veterinarians in Texas. This means recruiting and retaining veterinarians out in the country is difficult. Drs. Carol and Joe Hillhouse, who own two mixed animal practices in Texas, outline those hurdles in this episode. A couple of those obstacles include mounting student loan debt paired with lower salaries and a lifestyle that doesn't align with the needs of female veterinarians, which comprise the majority of practitioners in the profession. They also give ideas about what can be done to overcome these obstacles.
Drs. Carol and Joe Hillhouse own Carson County Veterinary Clinic in Panhandle and High Plains Animal Hospital in Borger. They graduated from Texas A&M University-College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984 and have been married for 36 years.
If you have a story to share, please contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org. Be sure to rate the show, write a review and follow us on social media. @texas_vma #TVMAPodcast #VeterinaryVitals.
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"Because the gender shift was so fast, it caused lots of change. It's not so much change in the profession itself but cultural change."
The rapid gender shift in the profession occurred within a matter of just 13 years, from 1980 to 1993. This development created cultural challenges, specifically for women. Drs. Lori Teller and Nancy Turner outline those hurdles in this episode. A few of those obstacles include minimal childcare and rooms for new mothers at veterinary conferences and clients assuming female veterinarians are veterinary assistants or licensed veterinary technicians. This episode illustrates how far veterinary medicine has come and that there is still much more to be done to meet the needs of all veterinarians.
Dr. Lori Teller is a past TVMA president of both the Texas and Harris County Veterinary Medical Associations and currently serves on the AVMA Board of Directors. Dr. Teller works at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine as the Clinical Associate Professor of Telehealth. Dr. Nancy Turner served on the TVMA Board of Directors for Dallas County and on the TVMA Executive Committee. She works for ReadiVet, an in-home health care provider.
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References
https://www.aavmc.org/about-aavmc/public-data
https://www.tvma.org/About-Us/Executive-Committee
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“We need more. We still can’t graduate enough licensed veterinary technicians to meet the need.”
Licensed veterinary technicians (LVT) are vital members of the veterinary team. They can help reduce burnout, enhance wellness among veterinarians, increase revenue, and save clinics money. In this episode, Joyce Brod, LVT, discusses what it takes to become an LVT, the evolution of education and credentialing for LVTs over the past 40 years, and the need for more veterinary technology schools. Joyce serves as the Director of the Lone Star College-Tomball Veterinary Technology program. She is the chair of the TVMA credentialing committee and a longstanding member of the paraprofessional committee. She also earned the TVMA LVT of the year award in 2018.
Are you interested in attending veterinary technology school and becoming an LVT? A list of AVMA-accredited veterinary technology schools can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/y8lwyooz
If you’re a veterinarian who works alongside LVTs, consider investing in TVMA membership for them. It's just $40 per year. Just visit TVMA.org or contact our Membership Manager, Donna Eberhart, at deberhart@tvma.org.
Be sure to follow us on social media. @texas_vma #VeterinaryVitals #TVMAPodcast
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"Running a practice and dealing with all of the elements of business as well as medicine just burnt me out where I was at the point where I really wanted to find a different avenue.”
After working in the clinical setting for 20 years, Tom Sidwa, DVM, MPH, sought a different outlet to practice veterinary medicine—one that gave him better job satisfaction. That avenue came in the form of public health. Job opportunities for veterinarians were limited at the time, but that didn’t stop him from transitioning into a different field at the peak of his career and finding a position that was better suited for him. He eventually earned his Master of Public Health and became the state public health veterinarian and manager of the zoonosis control branch. He just retired in January from the Texas Department of State Health Services, where he worked for more than 26 years.
This episode is brought to you by TMGvets, a TVMA Business Alliance member. To make the simple switch to TMGvets for your credit card processing, visit https://www.tmgvets.com/, email Clay Farrell at clay@TMGvets.com or call Clay at 817-528-8805 and let them know you heard about TMGvets on the Veterinary Vitals podcast.
We would love to get your feedback. Please rate the show and write a review today. You can also contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org
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"I ultimately went to Tuskegee University for undergrad, and so that also was a jaded view of what veterinarians look like, but at that point I think I started to become more aware that the profession was not as diverse."
Approximately 92 percent of veterinarians in the U.S. are white, according to the 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics report titled “Labor Force Characteristics by Race and Ethnicity.” Niccole Bruno, DVM, who is the Chief of Staff at Companion Animal Hospital in Spring, Texas, is in that 8%. She is Afro-Latina. In this episode, Dr. Bruno shares her story of what it's like being a veterinarian of color. She discusses her journey of becoming a veterinarian, mentions possible examples of microaggressions and illustrates the importance of having a more diverse staff.
For ideas about taking action to make the profession more diverse, please refer to Dr. Lisa Greenhill, the Senior Director for Institutional Research and Diversity at the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). For resources on diversity and inclusion, please visit AVMA's Axon digital education platform (https://axon.avma.org/), listen to this episode of Beyond the Stethoscope with Dr. Greenhill (https://tinyurl.com/y8v3e4me) and view the latest data set by the AAVMC (https://www.aavmc.org/about-aavmc/public-data).
Please subscribe, rate the show and write a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org.
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"We may not be able to fix a broken heart necessarily, but we can give the owners, the clients, ideas about what to expect, what to look for, what to do if you notice these things. It gives some of the power back to them."
Katie Meier, DVM, Diplomate, ACVIM (Cardiology), is one of approximately 300 board-certified veterinary cardiologists in the world. She was introduced to this specialty the summer before her first year at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She had landed a job with a veterinary cardiologist, and within a week of working with him, she fell in love with the field. Since finishing her residency in Cardiology at the University of Pennsylvania Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital in 2006, she has founded her own clinic, merged with CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets and started a family. In this episode, she shares her professional journey and explores the correlation between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Dr. Meier works at CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets: https://www.cvcavets.com/
We would love to get your feedback. Please write a review today. You can also contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org.
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In our final installment of our miniseries for recent graduates, we sit down with Bethany Weinheimer, DVM. She graduated in 2018 from Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Weinheimer talks about what it felt like walking across the stage to receive her diploma and introducing herself as Dr. Weinheimer to clients for the first time. She also shares the challenges of being a recent graduate and overcoming those obstacles. Some of those challenges are finding community in a new city and clients expressing skepticism because she looks so young. To get through these hurdles, she turns to humor, meditation, exercise, and the Power of 10 Program.
She also shares what it’s like working overnight shifts in ER medicine at Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in Fort Worth, the highs and lows of handling critical cases and the sacrifices she has to make in her personal life.
We would love to get your feedback. Please write a review today. You can also contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org.
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Veterinary support staff––licensed and non-licensed technicians, practice managers, client care specialists, receptionists, kennel staff and CVAs––serve as the backbone of veterinary clinics and deserve so much recognition for their service in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like all essential workers, they are putting themselves at risk. But it's all worth it to the three support staff members at North Austin Animal Hospital in Austin, Texas, featured in this episode: Victoria Barton, LVT, Krissy Blystone and Izze Freeman.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude for support staff working on the front lines. We are here for everyone in the profession and are monitoring information from local, state and national authorities regarding the COVID-19.For the latest updates, please visit our resources page: https://www.tvma.org/Resources/COVID-19-Resources
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The third episode of our miniseries for recent graduates features 2017 TVMA President Dan Posey, DVM, discussing the mentor-mentee relationship. He lives and breathes mentorship—it is what he does for a living: he teaches, recruits and mentors undergraduate pre-veterinary students. He is a clinical professor and academic coordinator for the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Center at West Texas A&M University in Canon, Texas. In this episode, Dr. Posey talks about the mentors in his life, emphasizes the importance of recent graduates having mentors, outlines what makes for a good mentor and how to establish the relationship.
We would love to get your feedback. Please subscribe, rate the show and write a review. You can also contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org.
Be sure to follow us on social media. @texas_vma #VeterinaryVitals #TVMAPodcast
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“It’s kind of like we work at Sonic right now.”
That’s how Nicole Bertolini, DVM, of Pearland, Texas, describes her veterinary clinic’s new curbside services. Dr. Bertolini is accompanied by her best friend and former roommate in veterinary school, Anna Foster, DVM, in this bonus episode that ties in with our recent graduate miniseries. Drs. Bertolini and Foster graduated in 2018 from Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine. In this episode, they share the operational changes their veterinary practices have made to observe social distancing and how they are staying connected with clients, from using telemedicine apps to sending pictures and videos of themselves with patients. They also examine the significance of physical touch in veterinary medicine and the importance of having transparent and frequent communication among veterinary staff.
Dr. Bertolini works for VCA Westside Animal Hospital in Pearland, Texas, and Dr. Foster serves on the Business Development team at Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG).
If you have a story to share about your experience practicing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org.
Be sure to follow us on social media. @texas_vma #VeterinaryVitals #TVMAPodcast
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“I know that anxiety exists. It’s real, and we do have to address it because it is different in school than it is being out on our own.”
In the second episode of the miniseries for recent graduates, we sit down with the 2016 TVMA Recent Graduate of the Year: Michelle Boatright, DVM. She reveals how she overcame the challenges of being a recent graduate. One such obstacle was wrestling with feelings of doubt and anxiety. Fortunately, she found solace in her mentors during this time of transition. Once she found her footing in veterinary medicine—which involved becoming Chief of Staff at Banfield Pet Hospital in Webster, Texas—she eventually became a mentor. She now imparts her wisdom and experience to recent graduates.
Dr. Boatright serves as the Director of Veterinary Quality at Banfield Pet Hospital in Houston.
We would love to get your feedback. Please subscribe, rate the show and write a review. You also can contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org.
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"Get involved early in your career in some aspect of organized veterinary medicine."
This episode kicks off the miniseries for recent graduates with this message: it's never too early to immerse yourself in organized veterinary medicine. We're talking to you, recent graduates and veterinary students! When you play a role in organized veterinary medicine, you can make an impact on the profession, build meaningful relationships and gain access to opportunities and connections you wouldn’t have otherwise. Will McCauley, DVM, MBA, is a big advocate for this, as he gained so much personally and professionally from his involvement in TVMA and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Dr. McCauley was chair of AVMA's Early Career Development Committee, participated in the inaugural TVMA Power of 10 Leadership Program and now serves as the Washington D.C. District Director in the AVMA House of Delegates. He is the Director of the Veterinary Biologics department at the Animal Health Institute (AHI), a trade association in Washington D.C. that represents companies that develop and produce animal medication: https://ahi.org/
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@texas_vma #Veterinary Vitals #TVMAPodcast
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There is so much uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, leading many people to experience stress. This is especially true for veterinary professionals. According to a recent TVMA membership survey, approximately 63 percent of respondents answered with "mental stress" to the question "What issues is your clinic facing right now?" To reduce levels of stress and normalize mental health conditions, we brought on Eden Males, LCSW, the Program Director of the Professional Recovery Network (PRN). Eden shares coping strategies and tips for managing stress and anxiety. For more information about PRN, please visit http://www.txprn.com/.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 911, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center or text MHA to 741741 at the Crisis Text Line.
For the latest information and resources, please visit TVMA's COVID-19 Resources page: https://www.tvma.org/Resources/COVID-19-Resources Eden also encouraged veterinary professionals to visit https://www.virusanxiety.com/ and consider purchasing this self-massage tool: https://www.amazon.com/Naipo-Shiatsu-Massager-Kneading-Shoulder/dp/B01D2UJVGS
We will continue to offer COVID-19 updates on our website as well as through social media and e-blasts. We are here for you, so please do not hesitate to contact our office at 512-452-4224 or info@tvma.org.
Be sure to follow us on social media. @texas_vma #VeterinaryVitals #TVMA Podcast
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As state and local government officials issue orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, veterinary clinics must comply with these government orders while continuing to practice quality medicine. In this episode, TVMA General Counsel and Director of Government Relations Elizabeth Choate, JD, helps you better understand how the orders apply to you and your practice. She examines issues like whether veterinary clinics are designated as essential businesses and provides recommendations for veterinary clinics. You can reach Elizabeth Choate at echoate@tvma.org or 512-452-4224.
To give you an idea of how veterinarians are currently adjusting to these changes, consider joining the Veterinary Telemedicine Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/VeterinaryTelemed/ Group members share what is or isn’t working and how they are adapting to the changes.
We will continue to offer COVID-19 updates on our website as well as through social media and e-blasts. We are here for you, so please do not hesitate to contact our office at 512-452-4224.
Be sure to follow us on social media. @texas_vma #VeterinaryVitals #TVMAPodcast
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The COVID-19 pandemic has presented the veterinary profession with its own set of challenges, and each veterinary practice faces its own unique issues. In this episode, acclaimed veterinary practice consultant Karen Felsted, DVM, CPA, MS, CVPM, outlines the most common issues and how veterinarians can address them. Topics covered include the following:
- Taking Care of Your Veterinary Team Physically, Emotionally and Financially
- What and How to Communicate with Clients
- Operational Changes to Reduce Exposure
- Expense Control and Preparing for a Possible Recession
Dr. Karen Felsted is a consultant for PantheraT: https://www.pantherat.com/ Any inquires can be sent to info@PantheraT.com
We will continue to offer COVID-19 updates on our website as well as through social media and e-blasts. We are here for you, so please do not hesitate to contact our office at 512-452-4224 or info@tvma.org.
Be sure to follow us on social media. @texas_vma #VeterinaryVitals #TVMAPodcast
Support the show (http://www.tvma.org)
“If I just had someone in my ear who understood what I was going through. I find comfort in podcasts. I listen to a lot of them because it’s people who have shared interests.”
If you’ve been enjoying this podcast, you will probably like the podcast by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). It’s called My Veterinary Life and is co-hosted by Marci Kirk, DVM. In this episode, Dr. Kirk shares the origin of this podcast, what it entails and her veterinary career path. You can find the My Veterinary Life podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
Dr. Marci Kirk is the AVMA Assistant Director For Recent Graduate Initiatives | Membership and Field Services.
We would love to get your feedback. Please subscribe, rate the show and write a review. You can also contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org.
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"It's important that we ask women. Sometimes women want to do it, but they are not sure if they would be welcome."
While the demographics of the veterinary medicine profession have shifted over the past 30 years from one comprised mostly of men to one that is majority female, something hasn't kept up with this trend: leadership. Only one-third of the TVMA Board of Directors is made up of women, and it wasn't until this year that the TVMA Executive Committee has more women than men. In this episode, Lori Teller, DVM, and Nancy Turner, DVM, explore why this trend exists and what we can do to help more women take on leadership roles in the profession.
Dr. Lori Teller is a past president of both the Texas and Harris County Veterinary Medical Associations and currently serves on the AVMA Board of Directors. Dr. Teller works at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine as the Clinical Associate Professor of Telehealth.
Dr. Nancy Turner served on the TVMA Board of Directors for Dallas County and recently stepped down from her post on the Executive Committee. She works for ReadiVet, an in-home health care provider.
We would love to get your feedback. Please subscribe, rate the show and write a review. You can also contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org.
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2019-2020 TVMA President Rick Wall, DVM, steps down from his leadership post on February 29, 2020. During his tenure, he focused on several issues: the aftermath of TVMA's stance on the possible second veterinary school in Texas, the launch of TVMA's "Roadshow" membership drive and how the profession faired following the 86th session of the Texas legislative session. In this episode, he gives listeners a closer look at his presidency.
Dr. Wall practices at Animal Clinics of The Woodlands and Center for Veterinary Pain Management and Rehabilitation.
http://www.animalclinicsofthewoodlands.com/
http://www.vetrehabcenter.com/
Do you want to get to know the Executive Committee? Click here to learn more: https://www.tvma.org/About-Us/Executive-Committee
We would love to get your feedback. Please be sure to subscribe, rate the show and write a review. You can also contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org
Be sure to follow us on social media @texas_vma #VeterinaryVitals #TVMApodcast
Support the show (http://www.tvma.org)
"It's never a convenient time for the board to show up, but sometimes the board shows up early in the morning when things are really rushed around a veterinary practice."
If the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME) were to come to your clinic unannounced today to perform a compliance inspection, would you be ready? In this episode, Don Ferrill, DVM, JD, outlines how veterinarians can be prepared for this likely situation. If you need legal assistance for your veterinary practice, you can contact Dr. Don Ferrill at 817-878-0579 or DFerrill@whitakerchalk.com. For quick answers to your legal questions, contact our General Counsel Elizabeth Choate, JD, at echoate@tvma.org or 512-452-4224.
One way to be prepared is to perform your own compliance inspection by downloading this form: https://www.veterinary.texas.gov/documents/enforce/2018%20Individual%20Licensee%20Inspection%20Form%20pdf.pdf
Do you have a story to tell? Email host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org.
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When Bo Brock, DVM, moved to Lamesa, Texas, for a job in 1992, he was asked to write about veterinary medicine for the local paper. No one was reading his articles, so he turned to humor. His first funny article was so good that it was picked up by dvm360. dvm360 asked him to be a regular contributor. After writing for them for many years, he turned all of the dvm360 articles into a book called Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere: Tales of Humor and Healing in Rural America. In this episode, you'll learn what the first article was about and how writing about something funny each month shifted his perspective on life.
If you'd like to read Dr. Brock's book full of humorous stories, you can purchase it here: https://www.amazon.com/Crowded-Middle-Nowhere-Healing-America-ebook/dp/B01GGKCHOE
Do you have a story to tell? Email host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org
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"As much as I loved practice, and I loved my patients and my clients, I kind of felt like I didn't really quack like the other ducks."
Finding your niche and a place of belonging in veterinary medicine doesn't always happen immediately. That was the case for Gayle Millard, DVM, who transitioned from practice life to the industry world in the middle of her career. Juggling her new job and work schedule with motherhood wasn't easy, but it came with some unique benefits.
Do you have a story to tell? Have you made a big leap in your career? Email host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org, and please subscribe, give us a rating and write a review!
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Licensed veterinary technicians (LVT) can significantly benefit veterinary practices, from increasing revenue to enhancing wellness among veterinarians. In this episode, David Sessum, LVT, tells his story of becoming an LVT, explains why veterinarians should utilize LVTs in their practices and outlines the many benefits of doing so.
Are you an LVT listening who isn't a TVMA member? Join TVMA today. Visit https://www.tvma.org/Membership/LVTs or contact our Membership and Marketing Manager Donna Eberhart at deberhart@tvma.org or 512-452-4224.
Do you have a story to tell? Email Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org
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Can veterinarians sell CBD products to clients? Our General Counsel Elizabeth Choate, JD, answers this question and helps veterinarians make informed decisions.
Do you have legal questions? Contact Elizabeth Choate, JD, at echoate@tvma.org or (512) 452-4224. To share podcast story ideas, please contact host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org.
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When practice owners are ready to retire and sell their clinics, they are faced with several options. Here’s a story of how one veterinarian chose to sell his clinic to a corporation and coped with the experience.
Do you have a story to tell? Email host Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org.
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Many veterinarians believe success in the profession is owning their own practices. However, success can come in many forms. Two veterinarians share how they redefined success in veterinary medicine.
Do you have a story to tell? Email Dena Goldstein at dgoldstein@tvma.org.
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Veterinary Vitals is a show that gives listeners an inside scoop into the lives of veterinary professionals in Texas, legislative issues facing the profession and how trends like technology impact those in practice. With episodes that center around what it’s like selling your practice to a corporation and the legalities of CBD products for pets, there’s something on the show for everyone.
Support the show (http://www.tvma.org)