The 'So You're A Vet... Now What?' Podcast

In this edition of That Vet Life Podcast, Dr. Moriah McCauley is joined by Dr. Gary Marshall, one of VetX's very own Thrive mentors, to discuss the concept of "Treating the patient, not the disease", highlighting the common challenges faced by young veterinarians in developing treatment plans.

The founder and medical director of Island Cats Veterinary Hospital (a feline-only practice on Mercer Island, Washington), Dr. Gary Marshall received his veterinary medicine degree from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. Besides his work as a veterinarian, Dr. Marshall is also a member of our Thrive community and helps mentor young graduates and veterinary professionals. Gary currently sits on the board of directors for the College Of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University, and formerly served as its president. He also represents Washington State in the American Veterinary Medical Association's House of Delegates.

Listen in as Dr. Gary and Dr. Moriah describe the process you can use to help your mentee grow in skill and confidence.

Outline

• [01:01] Dr. Moriah McCauley gives Dr. Gary Marshall a warm welcome as the episode begins.
• [01:52] They discuss Dr. Marshall's recent Instagram post, which delves further into the idea of "treating a patient, not just the disease."
• [05:22] We hear about the value of client communication and how it benefits both the patient and the veterinarian.
• [09:10] The value of client education, emphasizing how it can ultimately result in more effective patient care.
• [15:25] Dr. Moriah and Dr. Gary discuss how a treatment strategy for a specific disease can vary depending on the patient.
• [17:35] A short ad break - join Thrive
• [18:42] Dr. Moriah continues the program by discussing the value of considering a range of treatment choices before deciding which is the most suitable in the particular case.
• [21:30] The value of decision-making skills, especially in emergencies, before going on to discuss how a team should make decisions without delegating too much power and responsibility to any one person. 
• [28:12] Dr. Moriah and Dr. Marshall summarise the episode, adding valuable tips for young grads and veterinarians.
• [30:45] Dr. Moriah wraps the episode.

To listen to the extended versions of That Vet Life podcast when they release, join our Thrive community for free. 

Connect with Dr. Gary Marshall

• Linkedin
• Instagram

This week's That Vet Life Show podcast is a solo episode, where Dr. Moriah McCauley discusses the traits that a good mentor should have, all of which were proposed by the veterinary community in an Instagram vote. She outlines these qualities and their significance for the growth and development of the team, the mentee, and you as a mentor.

Whilst pursuing her veterinary degree at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, Dr. McCauley had the opportunity to study with some of the best veterinarians in the nation. She has inspired veterinarians and veterinary students to be competent and self-assured through her captivating storytelling, love of animals, and passion for taking care of others.

Listen in to discover the qualities that define a good mentor!

Outline

• [01:16] Dr. Moriah begins the episode with a short recap of previous episodes.
• [02:36] She dives into the characteristics of a good mentor, enlisted by the vet community itself.
• [03:54] We discuss “imposter syndrome”, describing its impact on mentor-mentee relationships.
• [05:44] We hear a personal story, describing how being open-minded is a characteristic of a good mentor. 
• [11:34] While discussing the second crucial quality of a good mentor, Dr. Moriah explains how being nonjudgmental as a mentor benefits both the mentee and the team.
• [13:40] A short ad break - join Thrive.
• [14:48] The episode by discussing the Instagram poll results. 
• [17:11] What does it mean to be a titled mentor? If you don't enjoy teaching, should you still hold the title of mentor?
• [21:07] How to become a titled mentor? How to sharpen mentoring and leadership skills? 
• [28:40] Dr. Moriah wraps the episode.

To listen to the extended version of this episode, join our Thrive community for free. 

Connect with Dr. Moriah

• Linkedin 
• Instagram

For this week's episode of That Vet Life Show, Dr. Meghan Vaught joins Dr. Moriah as they discuss cyberbullying in the veterinary profession, specifically referring to a 2019 incident in which Meghan's MVMC received thousands of death threats over a puppy’s surrender to its facility. Along with it, however, MVMC received an outpouring of support from clients and the veterinary community as a whole.

After finishing her clinical rotations at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Vaught earned her Ph.D. from St. George University in May 2013. In 2017, Dr. Vaught finished a three-year Emergency and Critical Care Residency at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care later that year. She is dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals and assisting all animals to lead happy, healthy lives full of treats, sundowners, and zoomies.

Dr. Vaught has devoted her time and efforts to raising awareness about the effects that cyberbullying and public shaming can have on veterinary teams, as well as providing resources to assist others who may find themselves forced to defend themselves against online hate. We discuss how mentors, vets, and the community as a whole can help young people learn how to cope with such traumatic experiences.

Outline

• [01:01] The episode begins with Dr. Meghan's brief introduction.
• [1:50] Dr. Moriah discusses the 2019 incident at MVNV and provides background information on the terrifying ordeal that Meghan and the staff had to experience.
• [03:13] We find out what a typical day in her life is like while underlining the difficulties she encounters at work.
• [04: 35] Dr. Meghan elaborates on the mentoring programs that MVNC is providing for young interns as she explains how to prepare veterinary students for tough situations.
• [08:41] Dr. Moriah and Dr. Meghan discuss the importance of creating a socially and psychologically secure atmosphere for new grads who are just beginning their careers in veterinary medicine.
• [09:10] The values that make up MNC's culture, and how it is reflected in the hospital.
• [11:38] A short ad break - join Thrive.
• [12:47] Dr. Moriah continues the episode by talking about the importance of emotional intelligence in the veterinary field, explaining its positive impacts on communication and teamwork. 
• [16:27] Dr. Meghan discusses how the MVNC puts its core values into practice and how it helps strengthen the bonds among staff members.
• [18:35] Dr. Meghan lists valuable resources that can be used to strengthen a team's bond.
• [25:45] Dr. Meghan provides insightful guidance for young veterinary graduates starting in practice, particularly for those who find themselves battling cyberbullying.
• [28:12] Dr. Moriah wraps the episode.

To listen to the extended version of this episode, join our Thrive community for free. 

Connect with Dr. Meghan Vaught

• Linkedin

This week's That Vet Life Show episode features Dr. Moriah McCauley as she shares her experiences with mentorship, as well as highlighting the characteristics of a good mentee.

Dr. Moriah McCauley combined her love of animals and passion for caring for others to become a small animal veterinarian. While pursuing her veterinary degree at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, she was presented with the opportunity to study with some of the best veterinarians in the nation. 

After realizing how valuable their tales were, she decided to share this value with her peers, which led her to entering the world of podcasts. She has since concentrated on the effects of storytelling in both client and patient outcomes, with her journey and stories having inspired veterinarians and veterinary students to be competent and self-assured.

Going into practice as a young veterinarian, it's important to know what to expect from your mentors and what they will expect from you. Dr. McCauley describes the qualities of a good mentee, which were suggested by the veterinary community in an Instagram vote.

Outline

• [01:16] Dr. Moriah begins the episode with a short introduction to the Mentor-Mentee relationship.
• [02:15] Dr. McCauley dives into the most common common question regarding mentorship and its answers posted by the veterinarian community.
• [03:53] We hear about the four important characteristics of a good mentee, suggested by the vet community. 
• [04:28] Dr. Moriah describes these characteristics while also explaining their importance through practical examples.
• [06:42] What are the steps you need to take to prepare for practice?
• [09:40] As a new veterinarian entering practice, how should you handle failure?
• [10:33] A short ad break - join Thrive.
• [11:40] We continue the episode by talking about the importance of having a growth mindset in overall development during a mentorship.
• [15:05] Dr. Moriah explains how to respond to criticism. 
• [18:55] We explore mentorship from the perspective of the veterinary community, highlighting both its positive and negative aspects.
• [21:23] What are the factors that lead to a negative mentorship experience?
• [25:23] Dr. Moriah wraps the episode.

To listen to the extended versions of this podcast series when they're available, join our Thrive community for free. 

Connect with Dr. Moriah

• Linkedin 
• Instagram

In this week's episode of That Vet Life Show, Dr. Moriah McCauley delves into all things NAVLE-related. For those that don't know, the NAVLE is the national board exam for veterinarians wanting to practice in the US and Canada. 

Choosing a career that would combine her love of animals and passion for caring for others, Dr. Moriah McCauley decided on becoming a small animal veterinarian. She began this podcast at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where she graduated with a veterinary degree.

Dr. McCauley started to concentrate on the function of the stories of her colleagues in veterinary medicine, focusing on how storytelling can enhance outcomes for clients and patients as she made the transition from student to doctor. Through her engaging storytelling, she has encouraged veterinarians and veterinary students to be competent and confident. 

During this special solo episode, Dr. Moriah talks about the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE). Listen in as Dr. Moriah discusses every aspect of the exam - from its schedule, eligibility, and duration, to its practice, resources, and the aftermath.

Outline

• [01:50] - Dr. Moriah begins the episode with a short introduction of NAVLE, sharing her experiences with the exam to give us a thorough insight. 
• [04:28] - We hear a brief description of the NAVLE, answering the common questions, concerns, and doubts about the exam.
• [06:19] - Talking about how and what to study for an exam, Dr. Moriah talks about helpful resources and platforms to use for exam preparation.
• [08:04] - Dr. Moriah explains an efficient method for preparing and studying for the exam, also outlining how to cope when you don't know everything you need to know.
• [10:45] - A short ad break - join Thrive.
• [11:52] - We resume the podcast with Dr. McCauley discussing self-assessment exams. She explains how to make the best of the self-assessment exams, and how practicing it will help you build the right approach toward the actual exam.
• [14:01] - The importance of getting familiar and comfortable with the exam format, as well as building the right mindset toward it.
• [18:11] - "This is just an exam": Dr. Moriah talks about the aftermath of the results, discussing how to cope if you get a low score.
• [23:50] - Dr. Moriah wraps the episode.

To listen to extended versions of the TVL podcast when they’re available, join our Thrive community for free. 

Resources Mentioned 

• www.vetxinternational.com/thrive 
• https://www.empoweringveterinaryteams.com
• https://www.mentorvet.net
• https://www.vetprep.com

Connect with Dr. Moriah

• Linkedin 
• Instagram

Dr. Grace Kim joins Dr. Moriah for this week's episode of That Vet Life Show. Having graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Grace Kim is a DVM and Accredited Financial Counsellor.

She works as a mentor and financial coach for young veterinarians, offering them valuable guidance on how to manage their finances and debt without being overburdened.

After going from six figures in student loan debt as a veterinarian to becoming financially literate and efficient with money, she founded Richer Life DVM, a platform to educate and inspire others in their financial journeys.

This episode discusses the challenges young grads face financially, especially one of the biggest ones: the student loan. Furthermore, she explains how to organize your finances, even if you're not a financial expert. Dr. Grace shares her insight on finance management, including a lot of tactical advice for young veterinarians just starting their careers.

Outline

• [0:00] - Episode Introduction
• [00:57] - The episode begins with Dr. Grace's warm welcome.
• [1:42 ] - Dr. Grace talks about her journey from being a veterinarian to a Financial Counsellor, discussing her background in veterinary medicine and her motivations for entering finance management.
• [5:12] - Dr. Grace and Dr. Moriah discuss college loans and offer advice on how young graduates can manage their debts effectively without overextending themselves financially.
• [8:46] - Discussing different approaches to repaying education debt in situations where there is a high disparity between what you earn and what you own. Dr. Grace details how to plan an efficient repayment plan.
• [12:14] - A short ad break - join Thrive
• [13:23]  - Dr. Moriah continues the episode by talking about the most crucial facet of financial management, quality of life.
• [13:58]  - Dr. Grace provides tips on how a recent graduate and a young veterinarian can maintain a work-life balance while juggling debt and other financial obligations.
• [17:45] - When should you consider talking to a financial advisor? Her experience as a financial counsellor gives her insight into how finance professionals approach wealth and debt management.
• [22:36]  - Dr. Grace discusses Richer Life DVM and the valuable resources it offers. Visit the website to learn more about money management.
• [26:22] - Dr. Moriah wraps the episode with a subtle request to share the episode.

To listen to the extended version of this episode, join our Thrive community for free. 

Resources Mentioned 

• www.vetxinternational.com/thrive 
• https://www.empoweringveterinaryteams.com
• https://richerlifedvm.com

Connect with Dr. Grace Kim

• Linkedin
• Richer Life DVM

For this week's episode of That Vet Life Show, Dr. Rachel Courville joins Dr. Moriah. Dr. Rachel began working as an Emergency Veterinarian at MedVet, a pet healthcare facility in Illinois Chicago, in 2020 after receiving her veterinary medicine degree from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Rachel switched to general practice and joined Mission Veterinary Partners in 2021 after working as an emergency veterinarian for a year. In addition to being a talented vet, Rachel has a large social media following, using her platform for good to help vets and pet parents through her interesting and insightful social media posts and videos.

In this episode, Dr. Rachel Courville discusses her experience switching from emergency medicine to general practice, emphasizing the importance of mentorship in the process.

As the show progresses, she talks about the reasons for her job change and the difficulties that came with it.

Listen in as Dr. Rachel Courville and Dr. Moriah discuss their own experiences to provide useful insights for young vets going through the same transition.

Outline

• [01:13] Dr. Moriah begins the episode with a short introduction of Dr. Rachel Courville. 
• [02:14] Dr. Rachel discusses her reasons for opting for emergency medicine after graduation whilst also exposing some false notions people have about general practice.
• [07:05] How the practice styles differ between emergency medicine and general practice.
• [10:14] Dr. Moriah explains why she decided on pursuing a career as a small animal veterinarian despite initially considering becoming a specialist in equine medicine.
• [12:10] Dr. Rachel and Dr. Moriah discuss the mentorship and relationship-building aspects of general practice and emergency medicine, emphasizing how the need for mentorship changes as one moves from one practice to another.
• [15:45] A short ad break - join Thrive
• [16:53] In the second segment of the podcast, Dr. Moriah and Dr. Rachel discuss the value of mentorship for both professional and personal growth.
• [21:14] How getting support from friends and family can help you get through the psychological and emotional challenges associated with changes.
• [24:14] Dr. Rachel Courville goes into more detail about what led her to go from Emergency Medicine to General Practice.
• [25:50] The value of networking and how it could aid in opening up new doors for young veterinary students.
• [29:24] Moriah and Rachel offer valuable advice to young vet students who are planning to make a change in their profession. 
• [33:35] Dr. Rachels discusses her motivations for helping and mentoring young veterinary students and her inspiration behind BellaVet.
• [37:45] Dr. Mo wraps the episode with a subtle request to share the episode.

To listen to the extended version of this episode, join our Thrive community for free.

For this week's episode of That Vet Life Podcast, Dr. Caitlin DeWilde joins Dr. Moriah. Having graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine with an Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Caitlin was selected as one of just ten nationwide veterinarians to participate in the AVMA’s Future Leaders program. She is also a member of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Greater St. Louis Veterinary Medical Association, where she serves as vice president.

In addition, Dr. Caitlin DeWilde founded The Social DVM, a consultancy business aimed at assisting veterinary professionals in understanding, utilizing, and growing their online and social media presence. She served as the medical director at a large hospital in St. Louis before taking a step back to commit herself to her love of marketing.

In this episode, Dr. Caitlin and Dr. Moriah discuss science communication and its importance for veterinary professionals, emphasizing how veterinarians can effectively utilize social media. Listen in as Dr. Caitlin shares her insights on how clinics, young graduates, and solo practitioners can thrive on social media by using scientific communication and content that educates clients.

Outline

• [01:13] Dr. Moriah begins the episode with a short introduction of Dr. Caitlin DeWilde.
• [02: 15] Dr. Caitlin shares her thoughts on Science Communication and its importance in Veterinary Medicine, emphasizing how social media can help clients become more educated.
• [06:10] What does Science Communication entail? Get the inside scoop directly from the social media mastermind.
• [10:00] Dr. Caitlin and Dr. Moriah discuss the role of a Veterinarian in Science communication.
• [13:02] Dr. Caitlin describes how to overcome the different social and personal barriers to create an impeccable social media presence.
• [18:14] A short ad break - join Thrive
• [19:20] Is it necessary for individual veterinarians to have a social media presence as well? Before creating a social media strategy, Dr. Caitlin recommends a few things to take into account.
• [21:56] Personal or professional social media accounts? Dr. Caitlin offers her opinion on which one a vet should choose and why. Personal or professional social media accounts? Dr. Caitlin and Dr. Moriah offer their opinion on which one a vet should choose and why.
• [28: 36] Dr. Caitlin discusses how young veterinary students can use social media and what their goals should be.
• [30:56] Dr. Caitlin and Moriah discuss social media's future, outlining what it will probably look like in five years, particularly in the veterinary industry.
• [35:49] Dr. Caitlin discusses her background in veterinary medicine and her motivations for entering social media marketing.
• [37:20] Dr. Mo wraps the episode with a subtle request to share the episode.

To listen to the extended version of this episode, join our Thrive community for free. 

For this week's episode of That Vet Life Podcast, Sarina Manifold join Dr. Moriah. Sarina Manifold is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in veterinary social work. She gained the knowledge and abilities necessary to offer crisis intervention and grief support to clients of the small and large Animal Clinic after working as one of the clinical social workers at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center for ten years. 

In this episode, Dr. Moriah and Sarina Manifold talk about compassion fatigue and its effects on veterinary professionals. Using her years of experience in grief management, Sarina explains how a young vet can get through situations involving loss and grief while supporting the team and client all the while.

Utilizing her passion for animals and her grief management expertise, she assists pet owners in their end-of-life decisions and conducts memorial services for their pets. Through increasing self-awareness, eliminating the thoughts that don't serve them any longer, and integrating losses in their lives, Sarina helps people become more balanced, effective, and authentic in their personal and professional lives.

Listen in as the certified grief recovery specialist and owner of Authentic Healing Counseling shares an insight into what it's really like to work in the veterinary field as a veterinary social worker.

Outline

• [01:13] Dr. Moriah begins the episode with a short introduction of Sarina Manifold. 
• [04:00] Dr. Moriah describes an unusual and unpleasant episode from her general practice career that left her emotionally drained and mentally exhausted.
• [09:15] In her explanation of how grief management works, Sarina Manifold highlights all of the feelings and phases of grieving that surround compassion fatigue. 
• [14:50] Sarina explains the importance of emotional agility and physiological flexibility in the veterinary profession.
• [18:57] How the ability of post-event debriefing can help in resilience building, 
• [20:05] A short ad break - join Thrive
• [21:15] Dr. Moriah continues the conversation by outlining how young vet students can incorporate emotional debriefing into daily living to establish a healthy process of healing.
• [24:30] Sarina discusses how important it is to acknowledge, name, and accept your emotions when dealing with grief.
• [28:40] Sarina Manifold shares valuable techniques and tips for young vet students on how to handle scenarios of loss and grief while also supporting the team in overcoming them.
• [36:10] Sarina summarises key details from the episode and adds her closing remarks on dealing with loss and maintaining mental well-being.

[40:13] Dr. Moriah thanks Sarina for joining and wraps up the episode.

In this week's That Vet Life Podcast Dr. Moriah McCauley discusses vet school imposter syndrome!

Dr. Moriah McCauley became a small animal veterinarian after combining her love of animals and a passion for taking care of others. She gained her veterinary degree at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where she began this podcast. 

Utilizing her podcast to share her colleague's stories, Dr. McCauley started to concentrate on the function of these stories in veterinary medicine and how storytelling can enhance outcomes for clients and patients as she made the transition from student to doctor. Through her engaging storytelling, she encouraged veterinarians and veterinary students to be competent and confident. 

Dr. Moriah discusses the imposter phenomenon in this episode and offers guidance that can be really helpful if you're struggling in vet school.

Listen in as Dr. Moriah shares crucial advice and insights that will help you maintain a healthy balance in your academic life by focusing on what matters most and letting go of what doesn't.

Outline

• [1:17] Dr. Moriah starts the podcast by summarising the four years of vet school and emphasizing the difficulties and stress.
• [04:12] Dr. Moriah lists the five most important things to keep in mind when you're feeling discouraged during vet school.
• [05:44] A short ad break - join Thrive.
• As the episode continues, Dr. Moriah explains how the vet community can motivate, inspire, and challenge others.
• [08:30] Dr. Moriah explains why academic performance isn't everything in veterinary school.
• [11:02] Dr. Moriah wraps the episode.

To listen to the extended version of this episode, join our Thrive community for free.