The heartbeat of the veterinary profession. Join us as we talk with veterinary colleagues about critical topics from student debt to mental health. And share stories, stories connect us… as humans, as animals, as a veterinary community.
Episodes
Jun 30, 2021
Jun 30, 2021
40 min
Join VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan Benshea as she chats with VSPN Director Charlotte Waack about her journey to veterinary medicine, how a back injury set her on an unexpected course, and why the medicine continues to elicit excitement. Charlotte shares an inside look at the veterinary support field, the areas she sees as stressors with room for improvement, and how Support4Support is helping colleagues feel not alone.
GUEST BIO:
Charlotte Waack, AA, AAS, BS, CVT, RVT
Charlotte started working in the field of veterinary medicine in 1990, as a veterinary assistant. She ended up loving the field and pursued the education to become a credentialed veterinary technician. Charlotte graduated from St. Petersburg Distance Learning Veterinary Technology program in 2004, and in 2006 started working for Veterinary Information Network (VIN), assisting with Continued Education (CE) courses for VSPN (Veterinary Support Personnel Network). Charlotte currently serves as the Director of VSPN and VSPN CE. In addition to driving all content to the VSPN website, she is also in charge of hiring instructors and coordinating the CE courses offered to technicians and support staff, is the co-founder and Team Lead of the VIN Foundation peer support group Support4Support, and is a vital member of the VIN Conference team, working at conferences in the US, Canada, and Europe, and has recently started to host interview type vlogs for VSPN, called #lovevspn.
Charlotte served on the National Veterinary Technician Association executive board from 2012-2014, Missouri Veterinary Technicians Association board from 2008-2012; Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association board from 2014-2017. She coordinated three CE conferences for Missouri Veterinary Technicians Association and has served on the CVT and CE committees for ISVMA since 2015 and co-chair of the ISVMA yearly convention since 2017-2019, as well as the technician program chair for Chicagoland Veterinary Conference.
Charlotte’s speaking engagements have included the Wild West Veterinary Conference, Association of Veterinary Technician Educators Symposium, presented webinars for VSPN, Illinois Veterinary Medical Association, and has given presentations to Illinois veterinary technology programs. She has also been published in NAVTA Journal, ISVMA Epitome and Veterinary Technicians Magazine.
As an educator, Charlotte has taught CE courses for VSPN CE, a veterinary assistant course at John Wood Community College in Quincy, IL, and was an adjunct instructor for San Juan College Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program. She also serves on the curriculum advisory committees for San Juan College Veterinary Technology Program and Pima Medical Institute (Las Vegas) Veterinary Technology Program.
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
- VSPN: https://www.vin.com/vspn
- VSPN CE: https://www.vin.com/CE
- Support4Support: support4support@vinfoundation.org
- VSPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vspn_community/
- VSPN on Twitter: https://twitter.com/vspnorg
- VSPN on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vspn-veterinary-support-personnel-network
Learn more about the VIN Foundation Veterinary Pulse podcast, or explore the VIN Foundation and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
Jun 29, 2021
Jun 29, 2021
41 min
Dr. Matt Holland has a conversation with NC State College of Veterinary Medicine's 2nd-year student Nia Powell. Nia shares her journey to veterinary medicine, her experience with racism, and how a quarter-life crisis led her to good things. With a commitment to encouraging others, Nia shares the one area she wishes she focused on more prior to entering veterinary school, and how her role as a veterinary technician provided helpful experience.
Quote mentioned by Nia Powell during the episode: “Never let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game.” - Babe Ruth
GUEST BIO:
Nia Powell
Nia Powell is a 2nd-year student at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. After growing up in Chicago, Nia attended the University of Missouri where she earned a B.S in Psychology and Spanish. Currently, Nia is interested in small animal and equine medicine. She also enjoys cardiology and internal medicine. Outside of vet med, Nia likes to travel and spend time with her family, friends, and dogs Zoe (a pomeranian mix) and Peyton (a lab mix).
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
- Nia Powell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingdoctornia/
- NC State College of Veterinary Medicine: https://cvm.ncsu.edu/
- VIN Foundation Cost of Education Map: https://vetschoolbound.org/how-much-will-my-veterinary-education-cost/
- VIN Foundation Apply Smarter: https://vetschoolbound.org/applysmarter/
- 3D Anatomy on VIN: https://www.vin.com/3dlearning
- You will need a VIN membership to view the 3D Learning, you may sign up for a free VIN Student membership: https://www.vin.com/students/default.aspx
- VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
May 14, 2021
May 14, 2021
25 min
Tune in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan Benshea chats with student debt educator Dr. Tony Bartels about the latest student loan tax forgiveness. Taking the “hope for the best and plan for the worst” approach, Dr. Bartels will take you through the details of this confusing situation. Did you know if you were making payments toward your student loans during the Cares Act forbearance time you can get a refund? Listen in to learn this and additional helpful information.
GUEST BIO:
Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA
Tony Bartels graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources as a VIN Foundation board member. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
- American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319/text?format=txt
- Federal Student Aid: https://studentaid.gov
- Federal Student Aid COVID FAQ: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus
- Sizing up the Student Loan Tax Forgiveness blog post: https://vinfoundation.org/sizing-up-student-loan-forgiveness-tax-exemption/
- VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
- VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans
- VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt
- VIN Foundation Webinars: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/webinars/
- Stay up to date with VIN Foundation webinars: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
Personalized Assistance available via the special VIN and VIN Foundation Student Debt Message Board areas:
Email VIN Foundation: studentdebt@vinfoundation.org
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
May 13, 2021
May 13, 2021
30 min
Join VIN Foundation board member, Dr. Matt Holland, as he has a conversation with Dr. Andrew Lee about the importance of leadership by example, his journey to veterinary medicine, and his first-hand experience in changing jobs as a new grad.
GUEST BIO:
Dr. Andrew Lee
Dr. Andrew Lee is a graduate of the University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana where he received his doctorate in veterinary medicine (2017) as well as receiving his BS in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Dr. Lee is passionate about forming life-long relationships with clients through education, compassion, trust, and works with owners to be active participants in the healthcare of their pets. In his free time, Dr. Lee likes to spend time with friends and family, travel, exercise (but hates running), work with his hands, fancying a new whiskey, watches movies, loves to try new cuisine, and also appreciates a lazy Sunday afternoon. He lives with Scout (a sweet mixed breed dog), Sawyer (an energetic Schnauzer) and Lego (a mischievous siamese cat).
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
Model Employment Contract: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/model-employment-contract/
Learn more about the VIN Foundation Veterinary Pulse podcast, or explore the VIN Foundation and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
Apr 30, 2021
Apr 30, 2021
45 min
Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan Benshea has a conversation with Drip.vet Co-Founders Dr. Lance Roasa and Dr. Drew Olsen about their scientifically proven passion project, and why veterinarians are the canary in the coal mine. Driven by their motivation to help colleagues get a sense of empowerment through habits and improve mental health, these two veterinary powerhouses are a wealth of knowledge. Covering topics ranging from the importance of a budget to their secret talents, this episode has a good shot at being one of your favorites.
GUEST BIOS:
Lance Roasa, DVM, MS, JD
Dr. Lance Roasa is a 2008 graduate of Texas A&M where he was the first student to undertake a 4th year business-track, spending the majority of his clinical training in veterinary business and industry. In 2016 He completed a law degree from the University of Nebraska and his training was centered on the law of small business, taxation, and the law of veterinary medicine.
Drew Olson, DVM
A 2012 Iowa State Veterinary College graduate, Dr. Drew Olson has practiced in small and large animal clinics and has considerable experience in the veterinary compounding medicine industry. An Omaha native, he is regarded as one of the nation’s leading veterinarians in compounding specialized veterinary medications. Be sure and ask Dr. Olson about his experience with retired circus elephants or his participation as a veterinary student in Frontier Vets, a documentary filmed in the remote region of Kruger Park in South Africa. Drew resides in Omaha with his wife, Karin, and their daughter Olive. They enjoy spending time with friends, family, and their rescue dog, Faith.
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
- Drip.vet: https://drip.vet/
- FREE Personal Financial Course: https://drip.vet/vin/
- VIN Foundation Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/v4v
- VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
Apr 22, 2021
Apr 22, 2021
40 min
Join Dr. Matt Holland as he chats with Dr. Moriah McCauley about her path to veterinary medicine, and why her curiosity led her to start a podcast while in veterinary school in Scotland. Moriah shares what she has learned from the podcast thus far and why being flexible and giving herself grace has helped her not only in her podcast, but as a practicing veterinarian.
GUEST BIO:
Dr. Moriah McCauley
Dr. McCauley is a practicing small animal veterinarian who has always been deeply passionate about caring for those around her.
Through her veterinary studies in Scotland, she was given opportunities to learn from incredible veterinarians around her. Seeing the immense value in their stories she sought a way to share these opportunities with her colleagues, thus the podcast was created.
As Dr. McCauley transitioned from student to doctor she began to focus on the role these stories have in veterinary medicine and how storytelling can improve outcomes for clients and patients.
Each episode takes its listeners around the world to hear from inspiring veterinarians as they faced exciting and challenging situations in their jobs and teaches veterinary students and veterinarians how to become confident and engaging storytellers.
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
- That Vet Life podcast: https://www.thatvetlifepodcast.com/
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine: https://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/studying
- Student Association of Veterinary Medicine (SAVMA): https://www.avma.org/membership/SAVMA
- I Want to be a Veterinarian: https://iwanttobeaveterinarian.org/
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
Apr 5, 2021
Apr 5, 2021
37 min
Join VIN Foundation Board Member Dr. Matt Holland as he talks with Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) student Justice Birdsong. She shares her advice for creating a network in the profession, how she encourages empathy among colleagues, and her personal journey to veterinary medicine. As a Co-Founder of the RUSVM National Association of Black Veterinarians chapter, and her role as Secretary for RUSVM SAVMA, she shares her dedication to making the profession a better place for underrepresented veterinary students.
GUEST BIO:
Justice Birdsong
Justice Birdsong is from Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from the University of Missouri (MIZZOU) where she earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences and became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. During her undergraduate studies she worked as an assistant and manager with the Small Animal Critical Care Assistants (SACCA) in the ICU of the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center. She is currently a DVM 2023 candidate attending Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) with hopes of becoming an ER and Critical Care Veterinarian. She is currently the 2020-2021 RUSVM SAVMA Secretary, a member of the RUSVM Diversity Task Force, and is a charter member and the Vice President of the RUSVM Student Chapter of the National Association for Black Veterinarians (SNABV).
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
- I Want to be a Veterinarian: https://iwanttobeaveterinarian.org/
- VIN Foundation Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/vets4vets
- SAVMA: https://veterinary.rossu.edu/about/student-government/national-savma
- National Association Black Veterinarians: https://nabvonline.org/
- Ross Diversity Task Force: https://medical.rossu.edu/about/news/rusm-diversity-inclusion-taskforce-provides-a-three-month-update
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
Mar 30, 2021
Mar 30, 2021
47 min
Join VIN Foundation Board Member, Dr. Matt Holland, in his conversation with Dr. Serena Nayee as they discuss how the cultural difference between animal and human medicine lead her to veterinary medicine. She shines a light on the important difference between a curated reality, and the everyday work it takes to pay attention to mental health. With a thoughtful vulnerability, Serena shares her mission to help colleagues feel comfortable in their own skin while fighting to diversify the veterinary experience.
GUEST BIO:
Serena Nayee, DVM
Dr. Serena Nayee is a 2020 graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Serena and her siblings were raised with a multicultural background, rooting from strong Gujarati and American values. After graduating high school in Fishers, Indiana, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at Ohio State University, before heading to veterinary school. Serena’s interests in the veterinary profession are focused on emergency medicine and development of affordable and accessible urgent/preventative healthcare (clinical and policy) to diversify the veterinary field, with a commitment to the value of One Health. In 2020 she founded Chapter VIII: Veterinary Inclusion and Intersectionality Initiative, to promote inclusive advocacy and education, intersectional art and story-sharing, communication workshops, community mentorship, and diversifying professional experience. Outside of veterinary medicine, Serena enjoys writing poetry and short literary fiction, singing, reading, and filming/editing videos.
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
- VIN Foundation I Want to be a Veterinarian: https://iwanttobeaveterinarian.org/
- VIN Foundation Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/vets4vets
- Chapter VIII Veterinary Inclusion and Intersectionality Initiative: https://www.facebook.com/chapterviiiboard/
- Chapter VIII email: chapterviiiboard@gmail.com
- Pawsibilities: https://pawsibilitiesvetmed.com/
Learn more about the Veterinary Pulse podcast and the hosts on the VIN Foundation website: https://vinfoundation.org/podcast
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
