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Parenthood In Vet Med
"If we are pretending that parenting is not part of how we make our professional decisions, we're just being naive." ~ Emily Yunker, DVM
created by Bing.ai
If you were like me, you didn't think about children impacting your plans for a veterinary career. Yet as I sit with an ever-expanding belly, parenthood is part of our vet life that greatly impacts us as people and therefore who we are as professionals. But as this month's guests on Vet Life Reimagined attest, having children offers immense joy while also adding some uniquely challenging layers to an already demanding career. On the latest episode, I'm joined by Emily Yunker DVM, CVMRT, CVH, the "veterinarian doula," and Emily Singler, VMD, R-PLC, author of Pregnancy and Postpartum Considerations for the Veterinary Team. We explore the emotional and logistical highs and lows of combining veterinary practice with parenthood. This topic impacts the birthing and non-birthing parent, but in a profession dominated by female workers, it is especially important for us to constantly learn more and provide support. Speaking of support, one of the key messages that the Emilys have for parents includes: find your support system, whether loved ones, co-workers, therapists, or coaches, because you're far from alone in navigating this complicated identity mash-up of vet professional and parent. Tune in (audio & video) for an honest, insightful discussion - and to hear more about Vet Life Reimagined's SPECIAL "May 2024" celebration of children, family, and everything parenthood in veterinary medicine. Don't forget the special children's book giveaway!
Rediscover Vet Med Through a Child's Eyes
Remember when you were a kid and thought veterinarians were real-life superheroes? For most of us, that childhood sense of awe and enchantment with animals and veterinary medicine sparked the dream of entering veterinary medicine ourselves.
created by Bing.ai
The stats show just how pivotal those young years are: a whopping 65% of today's veterinarians decided to pursue this career path before age 13. And 93% say shadowing experiences as young students played an important role in solidifying their passion for vet med and getting into veterinary school. It's so easy as overworked, overwhelmed adults to lose touch with the pure joy and idealism that first drew us to this special profession. However, witnessing a fresh child's perspective can be a powerful salve to burnout and fatigue. On the latest episode of Vet Life Reimagined, we chat with Christopher Carpenter, DVM founder of Vet Set Go an incredible organization providing hands-on programs and resources for middle schoolers to explore animal science. Dr. Carpenter shares his inspiring veterinary journey and stories of how sparking that formative fascination can set up the entire veterinary profession for success. May on Vet Life Reimagined is all about celebrating children, family, and parenthood - and we're doing a children's book giveaway written by veterinary professionals like Dr. Carpenter! So tune in for tons of fun and insight and reignite some of that childlike enchantment with veterinary medicine.• Episode on Audio• Episode on Video (YouTube)
I Found My People!
I Found My People! I found my people at the Veterinary Innovation Summit! "How was your conference?!" a friend asked, referring to the Veterinary Innovation Summit. Fantastic! The topics, the spirit of possibilities... but most of all, I loved finding "my people." In the realm of enthusiasm, Vet Life Reimagined podcast takes center stage for me. I spend a lot of time either in "veterinary realms" or "podcasting realms", but meeting THREE fellow podcasters in the veterinary space at the summit was a treat! We share a common passion for podcasting and a desire to think big and grow with others. Just typing this gets me pumped! Ever experienced that "I'm with my people" moment? It's pure magic. If you haven't, make it a priority to nurture relationships until you do. Do more of what you love, less of what you don't, and you'll find your tribe. You're not alone—I promise. Curious about what 4 animal health/veterinary industry podcasters discuss at a veterinary innovation summit? Wonder no more! We recorded it! Thanks to Ryan Leech, Dr. Matthew Asciutto, & Stacy Pursell ! Through some technical difficulties, editing this episode was a labor of love. We delve into vet innovation summit topics, being niche podcasters, and dreams about future possibilities. Join and subscribe on your favorite audio platform and YouTube. See you there! Megan Sprinkle, DVMYour host of Vet Life Reimagined🐾 #VetLifeReimagined #VeterinaryInnovation #PodcastingCommunity
Planned Serendipity
The fun thing about getting to know people is that they can surprise you and help you see the world from a new perspective. 💡 Dr. Carolyn Henry is someone who is an exemplary leader in veterinary medicine whom I've admired and sought to learn from. So, imagine my surprise when in our conversation on Vet Life Reimagined, she said that she sees herself as the poster child for imposter syndrome. Do what?! Dr. Henry has started veterinary oncology services at three veterinary universities. As a 30+ year academic, she impacted the lives of many in veterinary medicine. She is an advocate for one health and the human-animal bond. She's also human. A wise human! :) She knows the value of getting to know people and creating supportive networks of kind, intelligent, hard-working individuals. When you build support networks when you are strong, they will be there when you are weak. This plays into an answer to, "How do we increase the likelihood of being successful in life?" Dr. Henry has the phrase "planned serendipity". It's similar to the philosopher's definition of luck: "when preparation meets opportunity". Things may look like they magically happen, but behind it is a lot of work.* Building relationships,* being a learner,* being adaptable, and* embracing change. These are all things that I try to do, and building Vet Life Reimagined is one example. I promise you will learn so much as you spend time with these amazing guests like Dr. Henry. So, start today and reimagine. 💡
Finding Renewed Purpose: The Power of Volunteering
When you are weary and disheartened by the daily grind of your work, the last thing that might cross your mind is seeking more work. But what if this additional effort had the remarkable ability to reignite your passion and "recharge your batteries"? That's when we meet Christine Robinson, the Executive Director of the Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT). She's witnessed the transformative magic that happens when veterinarians and veterinary technicians step away from their usual clinical roles to volunteer their skills. Chris's work at CAAT has shown that volunteering can be a chance to be surrounded by positive and encouraging people and to reignite the passion that led us to veterinary medicine in the first place. Reflecting on her experiences, Chris shares: "So many techs say that coming on a CAAT project changed their direction in their career. It changed their mindset. And they decided to start to work towards something that they really were interested in. We also have veterinarians who have said it recharges their batteries to come on a project because they don't have to worry about how much they're charging. They don't have to worry about the business side of anything. All they have to do is help that animal." What truly sets volunteering apart for Chris is that it goes beyond caring for animals. As Chris eloquently puts it, "It's about the people as well. And it's about the whole community. ... And so you come away with so much more than what you give." This is the heartwarming essence of the latest episode of the Vet Life Reimagined podcast. Join us in both audio and video on YouTube as we delve into Chris' inspiring veterinary journey, from her pivotal role in Hurricane Katrina relief to her work with CAAT. Discover how giving back to the community can breathe new life into your life and career.
The Power of Belonging in Veterinary Medicine
Belonging: a simple word, yet it carries a profound flooding of feelings of peace and joy. Throughout my life, I've been fortunate to discover moments of belonging. But I've also known the isolating harshness of feeling like an outsider. I distinctly recall my time in my clinical nutrition residency, a period when I felt I'd found my place. Here, I could be my authentic self, make a difference, and contribute my unique gifts. It was a space where I felt welcomed and valued. Conversely, I've been in situations where I felt invisible, my thoughts dismissed, and an overwhelming sense that I didn't deserve to be there. It's safe to say that we've all experienced moments of not belonging. The need to belong is a fundamental, survival-driven human instinct. In ancient times, without a tribe, one's chances of survival were slim. Hence, we all share a responsibility in fostering cultures of belonging. In the veterinary world, a culture of belonging extends both internally and externally. Not only should we nurture this sense of belonging among our colleagues and teammates, but we must also extend it to our clients. Dr. Serena Nayee, this week's guest on the Vet Life Reimagined podcast, highlighted a vital point: without pet owners, there would be no veterinary medicine. We are fortunate that the community of pet owners continues to grow and diversify. To honor our oath of doing no harm and providing the best animal care, we must recognize the crucial human component. Serena is an inspiring example of putting this into practice. Having experienced the extremes of both belonging and exclusion, she leverages her experiences and convictions to bring a sense of belonging to marginalized veterinary professionals and pet owners. Her approach is nothing short of remarkable. I also want to add that belonging doesn't mean being stagnant. As we constantly grow, even in a welcoming environment, we may need to find the next place to contribute and belong. I find this beautiful, but it means we need to be challenged. Our conversation with Serena will challenge us, but that's often a sign of growth. The exciting part is that Serena is just beginning her journey. She teaches us that each of us can contribute to creating a sense of belonging in our profession. So, don't miss this enlightening episode. Join us as we explore the transformative power of belonging in veterinary medicine.
Embrace Change: Choose your career adventure
You're a young and determined veterinary student, brimming with enthusiasm and a clear vision of your future in veterinary medicine. You've got it all planned out. But what happens when you suddenly realize that you're on the wrong path? First of all, let me commend you for your bravery and insight. It takes courage to pause, reflect, and question your direction. Sometimes, we put on blinders, grit our teeth through the challenges, and forget to check if our values and desires still align with the path we're on. Here's the good news. The world of veterinary medicine is vast, and there are countless opportunities and options waiting for you. Don't let your job define your identity. Remember, both you and the world are evolving. So why deprive yourself and the world of the chance to discover where you truly thrive? It's time to make that pivot, even if it feels challenging. You have the ability to choose your own adventure. There are incredibly supportive individuals in the veterinary profession. That's precisely what our latest Vet Life Reimagined guest, Samantha Vitale, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), discovered when she had to shed the ill-fitting identity of a neurosurgeon and create something that truly resonated with her. Samantha is the co-founder of Stratocyte, an innovative online platform that brings together veterinarians with various specialties for vet-to-vet teleconsulting. In this eye-opening episode of Vet Life Reimagined, Samantha shares her remarkable journey of making a bold pivot and, in the process, how she's making a significant impact on the veterinary profession. Join us on your favorite podcast platform (including YouTube) and dive into this inspiring conversation. It's not just about finding a different path; it's about embracing change, redefining your identity, and helping to shape the future of veterinary medicine.