Vet Life Reimagined

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How to start a business and practice clinical veterinary medicine at the same time

What does it look like to graduate from veterinary school and immediately start solving the profession's biggest problems? Dr. Jason Szumski is doing exactly that — practicing full-time at a 24/7 ER-GP hybrid clinic while co-founding VetSOAP, a veterinarian-owned AI scribe platform used by thousands of veterinary professionals every day.

In this episode, Dr. Megan Sprinkle sits down with Jason to talk about building a career with intention, knowing when to say yes and when to say no, and why being action-forward — not just idea-forward — is what actually moves veterinary medicine forward.

What You'll Learn

• How VetSOAP was built without outside investors, private equity, or an MBA - and why that matters
• What Jason discovered about burnout when he used AI to analyze his own clinical conversations
• How to pursue multiple passions in veterinary medicine without losing focus
• Why it costs $0 to be a good person, and how that principle shapes Jason's leadership

Resources and Links:

• Video episode on YouTube
• Vet SOAP website
• Connect with Dr. Jason on LinkedIn

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

How does a boy from New Orleans go from trapping frogs in his backyard to becoming a veterinary ophthalmologist who is now reshaping how general practitioners across the country get access to specialist support?

This week's guest is Dr. Kenneth Pierce, board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, founder of Veterinary Vision Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, and creator of Vespecon (Veterinary Specialty Consultants), a platform connecting general practitioners with specialists on demand.

In this episode, you'll hear about veterinary mentorship, diversity in the veterinary ophthalmology specialty, opening a new practice in the pandemic, starting a veterinary consultation business, thoughts on AI and technology for the future of veterinary medicine, and what keeps Dr. Pierce going as a clinician and veterinary entrepreneur. 

Resources & Links:

• Video episode on YouTube
• Dr. Pierce’s ophthalmology practice website
• Vespecon — Veterinary Specialty Consultants: 
• Podcast Club Guide for this episode
• Connect with Dr. Kenneth Pierce: 
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram: @vespeconvsc
  • Facebook: @vespecon

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

Veterinary career paths aren’t one-size-fits-all. In this episode, Vet Life Reimagined guest, Dr. Shannon Bass, shares how she’s navigated general practice, ER, acupuncture, recruiting, and leadership by staying true to her values of connection and curiosity. Now VP of Medical Leadership at Vets Pets, Shannon offers practical advice on job interviews, leadership, and building a career that actually supports your wellbeing.

Whether you’re new to the field or reevaluating your next move, you’ll find inspiration and actionable tips in this conversation.

Resources:

• Video episode on YouTube
• Get the podcast club guide for this episode

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

The Certificate in Veterinary Workplace Wellbeing meets Women's History Month. 

The certificate is hosted by Dr. Phil Richmond and the Florida VMA. Check out the FVMA's Inspire program. 

Looking for an inspiring veterinary career story? These are the episodes referenced in the episode:

• Dr. Linda Rhodes, Breaking Barnyard Barriers
• Launched their own clinics (like Dr. Eva Evans)
• Led biotech companies (like Dr. Linda Black at Gallant)
• Advocated for diversity and wrote powerful books (like Dr.s Kemba Marshall and Cherice Roth)
• Built innovative startups and transformed industry sectors (like Dr. Eve Hanks at MiRNA and Drs. Michelle Schack & Shari van de Pol in dairy health)
• Took on executive leadership roles in global companies (like Dr. Molly McAllister with Mars Veterinary Health and Dr. Sasha Nefedova in Australia)

PERMA assessment: 

Don't forget to follow the Tiny but Mighty wellness tips on social media! And text us (1) what social platform do you spend the most time on, and/or (2) what are your favorite tiny ways to enhance your wellbeing? 

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

About the Guest:

Mindy Dutka is a dog documentary photographer, advocate, and storyteller whose business, Dogs I Meet, is built on the belief that every dog has a tale worth telling. With a lifelong love for dogs, she has traveled the globe providing brands and animal welfare organizations with story-driven content that gives voice to the voiceless. Her work spans documenting the human-animal bond at Veterinary Emergency Group, photographing pet familites during the COVID pandemic, and, most recently, embedding with a volunteer spay-neuter team in Suriname to capture the stories of the veterinarians, vet techs, and local families who showed up for their dogs.

Resources:

• Video episode on YouTube - illustrated by Mindy's photos
• Mindy's website (Dogs I Meet)
• Follow Mindy on LinkedIn
• Follow Dogs I Meet on LinkedIn
• Caribbean Spay Neuter website
• World Tails website

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

From barnyard to boardroom: Dr. Linda Rhodes shares her exciting career path from despite the many 'no's, becoming Utah's first large animal veterinarian taking care of cows in world-class daires to the many adventures that followed. Dr. Linda continued to get a PhD, to lead teams in the pharmaceutical industry, to starting her own consulting firm, to starting the first award to recognize women in animal health, The Feather in Her Cap award. She is also an Iron Paw award winner. She is now an author: her memoir "Breaking the Barnyard Barriers: A Woman Veterinarian Paves the Way" will be released on Feb 17, 2026. (link below)

Resources:

• Video version on YouTube
• Linda's website
• Order Linda's book on Amazon
• 2026 Feather in Her Cap Awards winners Press Release 

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

About the guest: 

Alexandre Contreras, VT, CCMT is a veterinary technician trained in canine physical therapy and is now an innovator and entrepreneur. He has built a service business called DogApy, a product business called KlipTrio, and a non-profit that brings together community and empowers students interested in careers in animal health. Alexandre is driven by passion and purpose and believes that anyone can put in the work to build a career that is meaningful. 

Resources:

• Video episode on YouTube
• KlipTrio.com 
• PetTrio Charity website

Dr. Quincy Hawley is leading the second annual Veterinary Burnout Preparedness Summit, a two-day virtual event focused on practical tools to help you thrive in veterinary medicine.

Join us November 21st and 22nd for 11 hours of RACE-approved CE. Use code SPRINKLE67VIP to get a VIP ticket with lifetime access to all of the recordings for just $67. Register here. 

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Dr. David Haworth joins Megan Sprinkle to share his nonlinear veterinary career journey, a path that took him from a two-doctor clinic in Spokane, WA to leading major organizations like Pfizer Animal Health, PetSmart Charities, and the Morris Animal Foundation. 

David reflects on the power of asking the right questions, the "evil" of cancer, and why the veterinary profession must act now to stay at the center of the human-animal bond. 

About the Guest:

Dr. David Haworth, DVM, PhD is a veterinarian and researcher who has held executive leadership roles across the animal health industry. He served as President of PetSmart Charities, President and CEO of the Morris Animal Foundation, and held key roles at Pfizer Animal Health (now Zoetis). He also co-founded Vidium Animal Health, a genomic diagnostics and therapy company focused on canine cancer. He currently serves as a Chair with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and as a board member for the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC). 

Resources:

• Video episode on YouTube
• Dr. Haworth on LinkedIn

Dr. Quincy Hawley is leading the second annual Veterinary Burnout Preparedness Summit, a two-day virtual event focused on practical tools to help you thrive in veterinary medicine.

Join us November 21st and 22nd for 11 hours of RACE-approved CE. Use code SPRINKLE67VIP to get a VIP ticket with lifetime access to all of the recordings for just $67. Register here. 

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when thousands of veterinary professionals gather at the start of a new year to talk about leadership, innovation, and the future of vet med?

In this special solo episode, Dr. Megan Sprinkle shares her top takeaways from two major events — the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference (VLC) and VMX. From generational dynamics and “gentelligence” to the rapid evolution of AI in veterinary care, this episode highlights what’s shaping the profession in 2026 and how you can take action in your own career.

Whether you attended the conferences or not, this episode brings the most impactful conversations directly to you.

Resources & References:

• Video episode on YouTube
• Episode notes on Substack 
• Gentelligence book

Timestamps

[00:00:00] Introduction to Vet Life Reimagined 

[00:00:25] Overview of the Veterinary Leadership Conference (VLC) 

[00:01:45] Keynote Reflection: Dr. Megan Gerhardt and "Gentelligence" 

[00:02:15] Five Generations in the Workforce: Why collaboration matters now 

[00:03:50] Mental Health Expectations: How generational norms have shifted 

[00:04:45] Success Definitions: From Boomer "workaholism" to Gen X autonomy 

[00:09:15] The Millennial Experience: High pressure and the "entitled" label 

[00:11:15] Gen Z in the Post-Pandemic World: Access to info and personal health 

[00:12:20] Digital Communication: Punctuation anxiety and the "passive-aggressive" thumbs up 

[00:14:10] Four Practices for Gentelligence: Identifying assumptions and replacing judgment with curiosity 

[00:15:55] Leadership Phrases: Open-ended questions to support your team 

[00:17:20] Mutual Mentoring: Learning from every age and situation 

[00:18:30] VMX 2026 Recap: High attendance and diverse CE highlights 

[00:20:45] The Evolution of AI: Market consolidation and the shift toward utility 

[00:22:30] Industry News: Acquisitions, product launches, and the power of connection 

[00:25:10] Supporting Working Parents: Improvements in conference inclusivity 

[00:26:50] Closing Remarks: Four years of the podcast and the new Substack 

Dr. Quincy Hawley is leading the second annual Veterinary Burnout Preparedness Summit, a two-day virtual event focused on practical tools to help you thrive in veterinary medicine.

Join us November 21st and 22nd for 11 hours of RACE-approved CE. Use code SPRINKLE67VIP to get a VIP ticket with lifetime access to all of the recordings for just $67. Register here. 

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

Veterinary medicine is evolving — fast. In this episode of Vet Life Reimagined, Dr. Mike Mossop shares his journey from clinical practice to current Chief Veterinary Officer of CoVet and why he’s passionate about driving change at the intersection of innovation and relationship-centered veterinary care. We discuss AI trends, the emotional toll of practice, and how reimagining systems can better support teams, clients, and patients. A timely conversation during the week of VMX!

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations shaping the future of vet med.

Video episode on YouTube

https://www.co.vet/

Dr. Quincy Hawley is leading the second annual Veterinary Burnout Preparedness Summit, a two-day virtual event focused on practical tools to help you thrive in veterinary medicine.

Join us November 21st and 22nd for 11 hours of RACE-approved CE. Use code SPRINKLE67VIP to get a VIP ticket with lifetime access to all of the recordings for just $67. Register here. 

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner!