EXTERNS ON THE HILL

Submitted by Jacey Cerda, Colorado State University (AVMA Government Relations Division extern)

Multi-talented People

As we walked to an Irish pub a couple of blocks away from the U.S. Capital, Dr. Lindsey Hornickel (a veterinarian and an assistant director with the AVMA’s Government Relations Division [GRD]) talked to me about the purpose of our evening event. At least three members of Congress were likely to be present, and it was our mission to build a relationship with those members and their staff as representatives of the veterinary community. There are several bills immensely important to the veterinary field currently pending before Congress, and it is imperative for members of Congress to meet with veterinarians and veterinary students, like me, to understand our position on those issues; otherwise, our voices are lost in the cacophony of other interested parties whose positions may be detrimental to our profession.  

As we were directed to where the event was happening, I was picturing a large hall full of people speaking to each other in a strict, formal manner. I was wrong. We entered a small room bedecked in dark brown mahogany with less than 30 people present. After just a few minutes of mingling, a member of Congress thanked us all for being there, grabbed his guitar, and proceeded to sing two of his own original songs. Other representatives followed suit on the piano and bongo drums. 

After they played a few more songs, we were able to complete our mission and have positive conversations about veterinary medicine with the members of Congress and their staff. This experience provides a great example of what it is like to be a veterinary student extern with AVMA’s GRD. Veterinarians and veterinary students, like the members of Congress, are multi-talented, and they can use their skillsets to have a positive influence in so many ways. 

In only two weeks, I have met with veterinarians across the U.S. government who work on international wildlife conservation, wildlife disease health, livestock health, and on international development at the USAID. Some work for members of Congress and many have direct influence on public health policy and practice. Some veterinarians practiced for several years prior to transitioning to their government roles, others came straight through from veterinary school, and many have other degrees and skillsets that are perfect complements to the DVM and the work they do. All of these veterinarians, like the members of Congress, use skillsets unrelated to veterinary medicine to do important work. 

I’ve personally had a windy path into veterinary medicine from wildlife biologist to trial attorney to working on zoonotic parasites, and finally to veterinary school. It’s refreshing and encouraging to hear about the myriad ways you can use all of your skillsets to do crucial work, including even running for and being a member of Congress. This externship is a daily reminder to bring all of myself into veterinary medicine because sometimes playing the guitar, or the piano, or the drums, helps you to do the essential work you do in the world. So, let’s remember to bring our whole selves to this wonderful profession of veterinary medicine because we are all, multi-talented people.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE: OEPS CONFERENCE

Submitted by Leiloni Johnson, Ross University

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to attend this conference. It was an eye opening and career altering experience. The organizers of the conference, both AAEP and OEPS, were clear with their vision of wanting students to understand two simple facts. Firstly, they emphasized that it’s not what you practice that will dictate your salary but how you practice. I feel that while I was attending undergrad and even here at Ross, I was told frequently that an equine or large animal practitioner would not be a course to pursue if you ever wanted to live comfortably financially. We have all heard the stories of the large animal vets back home that are working harder than anyone in the area and still barely making ends meet. However, there are quite a few opportunities that can kick this notion to the curb. Many of the doctors at the conference mentioned that the areas that they chose to live in had a great impact on the number of clients and cases that they would see. It also had an impact on the type and quality of medicine they were able to practice. The AVMA did a survey a while back recording the salaries of new grads in their 1^st year out of vet school. The results of this study are shocking in the comparison of small animal vets compared to large animal. Small animal new grads brought roughly 100,000 a year while large animal vets were around 60,000. Dr. Jackie Christakos kindly shared the flaws that arose in this study. The first problem was that the study reported only a very small number of large vets in compared to a large sample size of small animal vets. The next point that she made was that the track that most equine vets take to help kick start their career is to do an internship right out of vet school and not starting as an associate right away. As many of us know interns don’t have the salary of an associate but will be working harder to gain 3-4 years of experience right out of the gate. This internship also provided interns with mentorship that can give them the confidence and challenges to really succeed.  These interns can then proceed into practice as an associate with more experience. In this study Interns and 1-year associates were not separated thus drastically lowering the results of what a true associate in the quine workplace would make. Another excellent opportunity that was presented during the conference was the potential to increase your practice even with financial constraints in partnering with a larger business. This allows your business to have the financial support to keep up with the technology and to pay your staff what they deserve with less risk and strain on your part. It allows you to set the stress of owning and running a business on someone else’s shoulders while still being able to practice medicine the way you want. 

            The second point that was really emphasized at the conference was the necessity of a work-life balance and that it is very much obtainable. Again, an important factor was not what you practice but how you practice and the environment you create at your practice. Creating partnerships and having associates allows for a shared workload, making it possible for all parties to truly take a needed step back from work to enjoy personal time. Now this doesn’t mean that you’re never on call it just means you’re on call less. An important factor of being on call is that the phone is not a ball and chain tethering you to your home. It’s okay to go to the grocery store or out on a date even with the emergency phone in your pocket. That call you get on the phone may not be the “come in call” but simply a question of clarification, you never know. They discussed the importance of having hobbies outside of work whether that be still spending time with animals in other ways or doing the occasional underwater basket weaving. Either way it’s important to let your mind rest from the stress and allow it to recharge. Many clinics mentioned that their practices were as successful as they are due to the environment that they created as coworkers and associates. One of my favorite things that was noticeable was the comradery not only within the clinic but also their relationships with clients, trainers, farriers, and other vets. Rhoad and Rittle and Haygards, two of the top equine clinics in the country just a few miles from each other in the heart of Kentucky work side by side to provide the best care possible to the patients and promote the growth and welfare of the equine industry. A good environment with teamwork and positivity can completely flip the attitudes and morals of those working in or around it. If we looked at how far we all have come many of us will say that we wouldn’t be where we are without the support of family, friends, and mentors. That should be the goal of every practice, to truly support and lift the profession as a team in every way possible. Our world is changing in both good and bad ways, but it was said multiple times that “there is no better time to be an equine vet!” Dr. Sherry Johnson stated, “the best things happen when you take risks and put yourself out there… get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Now is the time to follow our passions and to have confidence in the understanding that we can succeed as an equine veterinarian knowing that the hard work, we put in now will lead to a full and happy career if we accept setbacks but never stop learning and growing towards our goals.

CALLING FOR SUBMISSIONS

The submission window for The Vet Gazette Volume 58 Issue 3 is open!

All content can be submitted through our new, streamlined Google Form!  You will receive a submission receipt upon completion of the form.  You may edit your submission form until the form closes.  You may submit UP TO 3 individual pieces per category - any additional submissions will not be considered.  We ask that you title any document or photo submitted with your NAME and any CAPTION that you would like associated with it.  Lastly, please enter the mailing address that you would like a check sent to (should you be chosen as a winner!).

Submissions for Volume 58, Issue 3 will close on September 28th at 11:59 PM EST.

Submitted by Victoria Hoaglin, Oklahoma State University

TRIVIA RESULTS

Congratulations to John Winston Weigand from Washington State University for submitting the first correct answer!

Trivia: Almost all mammals have 7 cervical vertebrae except 3. Name any of the 3 that have more or less than 7 cervical vertebrae.

Answer: Manatee, two-toed sloth, three-toed sloth

Source: Encyclopædia Britannica

FOOT IN MOUTH DISEASE

Submitted by Sofie Wilson, Cornell University

"When you're supposed to be doing a rectal palpation and realize you're in the wrong hole."