On this week’s Quick Cup of Knowledge, Dr. Natalie Marks chats with licensed veterinary technician Rachel Poulin. They delve into the different ways technicians can get ahead in their careers through specialized medicine. They also talk about how to use available resources to find what specialties are out there and see if they ignite a passion.Looking for more educational content? Click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/WesternVetConference Check out our WVC resources library full of great podcasts, videos, and digital downloads!https://www.wvc.org/resources**About the Guest - Rachel Poulin, RVT, VTS (SAIM):**Ms. Poulin graduated from the Veterinary Technician Program at Columbus State Community College in 2007. She did her internships at The Ohio State University and became specialized in internal medicine in 2013. She was the 2016 president of the Academy of Internal Medicine Veterinary Technicians. In 2017, she relocated to Colorado and continued to work on the floor as a supervisor/manager at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. ln 2018 when she transitioned to Director of Operations for Amerivet. She is now focused on the education and empowerment of the veterinary team and continues to be passionate about elevating the role of the veterinary technician in our industry.**About the Interviewer - Natalie Marks, DVM:**Dr. Marks is the previous co-owner and current Medical Director of Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago. She grew up in rural Sterling, Illinois, and received her DVM degree from the University of Illinois in 2002 with high honors. Additionally, during veterinary school, she was awarded a position in the Cornell University Summer Leadership Program as a Summer Fellow. After graduation, Dr. Marks moved to North Atlanta for five years to practice small animal medicine at Allatoona Animal Hospital. She was the Veterinary Leadership Conference New Graduate Representative, president of the Greater Atlanta Veterinary Medical Society, and public relations chairperson for the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Marks has interests in internal medicine, oncology, and ultrasound. She also is a firm believer in the power of the human-animal bond and finds helping families manage and care for their geriatric pets most rewarding and satisfying. She was recently awarded Petplan's 2013 Veterinarian of the Year Award. Dr. Marks also received the prestigious Dr. Erwin Small First Decade Award, presented to a recent graduate who has given significant contributions and service to the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association. In 2015, Dr. Marks was awarded America's Favorite Veterinarian honor from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF). Dr. Marks is very active in all aspects of media, both locally and nationally. She has appeared on Good Day Chicago, WGN-Pet Central, NBC Morning News, ABC, CBS, NPR, WBBM, and many local websites. Dr. Marks was featured nationally on the Today Show and CBS Nightly News during the canine influenza epidemic of 2015 and in multiple issues of JAVMA. Additionally, Dr. Marks has been published in Veterinary Medicine magazine, DVM magazine, and was a reporter for Veterinary News Network where she completed intensive media training. In 2018, Dr. Marks became a certified Veterinary Journalist.