Welcome to episode #26 of Scrubbed In: The DVM Journey – the podcast where we dive into the wild, rewarding, and sometimes unpredictable world of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Today, we welcome Dr. Bobbi Conner to the podcast to discuss common misconceptions about ER medicine, the realities of training, and what students actually need to succeed in ER and ICU settings. Dr. Conner also shares her perspective on internships and how confidence develops over time. With her ongoing Master’s in Educational Psychology, she offers evidence-based insights into how veterinary students learn best, common study pitfalls, and practical strategies to make learning more efficient and sustainable.

Whether you’re considering ER, debating an internship, or just trying to survive vet school with your sanity intact, this episode delivers honest advice, reassurance, and a reality check from someone who’s been on both sides of the exam room and the classroom.

Show Notes:

LOCUM: A person who stands in temporarily for someone else of the same profession, especially a doctor.

IVECCS: International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium.

Dr. Conner's Podcast: Veterinary Journal Club and Discussions

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Welcome to episode #25 of Scrubbed In: The DVM Journey – the podcast where we dive into the wild, rewarding, and sometimes unpredictable world of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Vet school is intense, but does it have to consume everything? Is there life outside of vet school? In this episode of Scrubbed In: The DVM Journey, we talk honestly about what it looks like to live a full life while in veterinary school. From maintaining friendships and hobbies to navigating dating and relationships, this conversation breaks down the pressure to “pause life” for four years and explores how students can protect their well-being while still showing up academically.

Show Notes:

Attached Book can be found here on Goodreads.

If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review, it helps others find the show and join the conversation. And if you have any questions or topics you'd love to hear about, feel free to leave us a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

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Welcome to episode #24 of Scrubbed In: The DVM Journey – the podcast where we dive into the wild, rewarding, and sometimes unpredictable world of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Virginia Edwards, Assistant Professor at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, known for her dedication to teaching surgical skills, supporting community practice, and preparing the next generation of veterinarians for real-world medicine.

But Dr. Edwards is at a turning point. She will be transitioning to a new remote role helping develop Colorado State University’s groundbreaking Master's in Veterinary Clinical Care program which will prepare candidates for a new mid-level practitioner role called the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA). This initiative aims to expand access to veterinary care, support overburdened clinics, and redefine team structure.

Dr. Edwards joins us to share her teaching journey, explain why she believes in the potential of the VPA model, and where she thinks veterinary medicine is headed in the future.

Whether you’re a veterinary student, practitioner, or someone trying to understand where our field is headed, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review – it helps others find the show and join the conversation. And if you have any questions or topics you'd love to hear about, feel free to leave us a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

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Welcome to episode #23 of Scrubbed In: The DVM Journey – the podcast where we dive into the wild, rewarding, and sometimes unpredictable world of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Robyn Hahn, a veterinarian whose career path truly showcases the diversity of what’s possible in vet med. From equine practice to emergency medicine and leadership at Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG ER for Pets), Dr. Hahn has done it all. Now leading her own VEG hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and mentoring new ER doctors through the NERD (New ER Doctor) program, Dr. Hahn shares how her approach to medicine, leadership, and teaching has evolved over the years. We also dive into her passion for exotics, what it’s like to guide new veterinarians in high-stakes ER settings, and the lessons she’s learned along the way about adaptability, confidence, and leading with empathy.

Whether you’re a pre-vet student dreaming of your DVM or a current veterinary student exploring career paths, this episode is packed with inspiration, honesty, and insight into the many ways you can grow within this profession.

Episode Mentions:

Veterinary Emergency Group NERD Program

MD = Medical Director

If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review – it helps others find the show and join the conversation. And if you have any questions or topics you'd love to hear about, feel free to leave us a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

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"We never lose, we win or we learn."

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes a brief mention of suicide in veterinary medicine.

Welcome to episode #22 of Scrubbed In: The DVM Journey – the podcast where we dive into the wild, rewarding, and sometimes unpredictable world of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

In this episode of Scrubbed In: The DVM Journey, I sit down with Dr. Tim Loonam—veterinarian, Army veteran, hospital founder, and leadership mentor. From earning a Bronze Star Medal in Iraq to building a thriving AAHA-accredited mixed-animal hospital from the ground up, Dr. Loonam shares lessons in resilience, business strategy, and authentic leadership. We’ll talk about his transition from military service to veterinary medicine, the realities of starting a practice, and his advice for the next generation of veterinary leaders.

Episode Mentions:

Dr. Tim Loonam's clinic: Grace Animal Hospital

Dr. Tim Loonam Book Contributions:

• Rule Number Two by Heidi Kraft
• Farewell to Football by Steven Liparulo
• Sergeant Rex by Mike Dowling

Dr. Tim Loonam is also featured on a documentary about military working dog teams called Always Faithful.

Dr. Peter Clough's Research on Mental Resilience

Provide Veterinary Financial

If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review – it helps others find the show and join the conversation. And if you have any questions or topics you'd love to hear about, feel free to leave us a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

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Welcome to episode #21 of Scrubbed In: The DVM Journey – the podcast where we dive into the wild, rewarding, and sometimes unpredictable world of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

In this episode, I’m joined by Eric Marker, a third year veterinary student at the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine whose path to vet school was far from straightforward. In college, Eric learned the importance of discovering what isn’t the right fit before finding what truly is, after dipping his toes into human medicine, education and banking before deciding on veterinary medicine. He shares how this process shaped his perspective and prepared him for the challenges of veterinary school. From advice on navigating career changes to strategies for building effective study habits early in vet school, his insights are both practical and motivating. Join us for a candid conversation about embracing uncertainty, finding your learning style, and redefining success on the journey to becoming a DVM.

If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review – it helps others find the show and join the conversation. And if you have any questions or topics you'd love to hear about, feel free to leave us a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

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Welcome to episode #20 of Scrubbed In: The DVM Journey – the podcast where we dive into the wild, rewarding, and sometimes unpredictable world of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In this episode, I'm joined by Emi Jones, current third year veterinary student at the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, whose path to veterinary school is anything but ordinary. From her beginnings as a producer to embarking on a veterinary trip to Africa, she brings a unique perspective on resilience, adaptability, and pursuing your passion. On top of it all, she’s balancing life as a mom of two while navigating the challenges of veterinary school. Join us for an honest and inspiring conversation about finding balance, embracing opportunities, and redefining what it means to succeed as a future DVM.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review – it helps others find the show and join the conversation. And if you have any questions or topics you’d love to hear about, feel free to leave us a comment. I’d love to hear from you!

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Welcome to episode #19 of Scrubbed In: The DVM Journey – the podcast where we dive into the wild, rewarding, and sometimes unpredictable world of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In my first solo episode, I'll be sharing the 10 tips, tricks and lessons I've learned that have helped me survive and thrive (mostly) in veterinary school. Whether you are just beginning your first year of veterinary school, or grinding it out in third year, this episode is packed with practical advice and real talk to support you on your journey to becoming a DVM.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review – it helps others find the show and join the conversation. And if you have any questions or topics you’d love to hear about, feel free to leave us a comment. I’d love to hear from you!

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Welcome to episode #18 of Scrubbed In: The DVM Journey – the podcast where we dive into the wild, rewarding, and sometimes unpredictable world of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In this episode, Paige Stanley returns to discuss our first summer of clinical rotations. We dive into everything we learned this summer and easy tips and tricks that can help you survive clinics. Whether you're about to start your rotations or already knee-deep in cases, this episode is packed with practical tips, mindset shifts, and advice that will help you thrive on the clinic floor.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review – it helps others find the show and join the conversation. And if you have any questions or topics you’d love to hear about, feel free to leave us a comment. I’d love to hear from you!

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Welcome to episode #17 of Scrubbed In: The DVM Journey – the podcast where we dive into the wild, rewarding, and sometimes unpredictable world of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Renata Ramos, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist and associate professor at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Ramos walks us through her journey into veterinary ophthalmology, what drew her to the specialty, and what students often misunderstand about it. We talk about common eye diseases that tend to get overlooked in school, tips to make ophthalmic exams less intimidating, and practical advice for students looking to strengthen their skills. Dr. Ramos also shares the most frequent eye-related mistakes new vets make—and how to know when it’s time to refer a patient to a specialist.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review – it helps others find the show and join the conversation. And if you have any questions or topics you’d love to hear about, feel free to leave us a comment. I’d love to hear from you!

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