Back

Explore every episode of the podcast VIN Foundation: Veterinary Pulse

Dive into the complete episode list for VIN Foundation: Veterinary Pulse. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

Rows per page:

1–50 of 82

TitlePub. DateDuration
Dr. Sean Gadson on his persistence to break into the veterinary profession coming from an underrepresented community, and his commitment to support colleagues10 Sep 202401:01:19

Listen in as we talk with VIN Foundation board member, Dr. Sean Gadson as he takes us through his veterinary career journey. From Sean’s passion for diversity, equity and inclusion, to his mom’s advice and the importance of mentors, to his ongoing effort to impress his 7 year-old self, his recommendations for pre-veterinary students, and the trends he sees in the profession. Sean’s story and honesty is enriching and provides helpful guidance and insight for colleagues at all stages of their careers.

 

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.  

GUEST BIO:

Sean Gadson, DVM, MS

Sean Gadson has enjoyed a long career working in veterinary medicine starting as an assistant when he was fourteen. He would continue working in various clinics and veterinary organizations while pursuing his undergraduate and master’s degrees. After completing a research project and writing a thesis on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in people, he applied to UC Davis for vet school and graduated in 2021. During his time as a student Dr. Gadson served as president of the UC Davis SAVMA chapter, and Vice- President of their VBMA chapter. After graduation, he completed an intensive rotating small animal specialty internship where he cultivated a passion for emergency medicine. He now works as an emergency veterinarian in Colorado with his wife Mollie who is a surgeon, and their dog Ahri. His interests include supporting other early career veterinarians, mentoring pre-vet students, practice ownership, traveling and speaking to students currently in vet school, and advocating for more minority representation in the veterinary industry.

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

If you enjoy these stories, please consider donating to the VIN Foundation to help us continue this work. https://vinfoundation.org/give

Have a story you want to share with our podcast audience? Reach out to share your interest: https://share.hsforms.com/1e6QkQvg2RI-wpDv59Byqkwcos60

Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt. 

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. 

Dr. Trae Cutchin vulnerably shares his career journey story, the struggles along the way, and the power of perseverance01 Sep 202400:50:19

Listen in as we talk with VIN Foundation board member Dr. Trae Cutchin as he shares his story of ongoing perseverance. Trae shares his personal experience coming out of the closet as a gay man with the fear of legal implications, to finding himself dealing with an unexpected addiction and the road to recovery, to the trials and tribulations of owning a veterinary practice and coming out the other side of a cancer diagnosis. Trae’s story will touch your heart and highlight the common threads we experience as humans, working on ourselves and trying to be better in all the roles in our lives. 

 

*Trigger warning* a quick heads up, some of the content in today’s episode may include a trigger as it relates to substance abuse disorder.

 

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or join the conversation.  

 

 

GUEST BIO:

Trae Cutchin, DVM

Trae Cutchin, DVM, is a 1988 graduate of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, is originally from Alabama. He has worked as a regular veterinary associate in full services hospitals, in a feline only practice for four years, and as an emergency room clinician for three years. For several years he operated his own relief service in the metro Atlanta area, and then opened his own full service practice in Flowery Branch, a bedroom community just north of metro Atlanta in 2006. He is married to his partner of twenty-five years and has two step kids and three step grandchildren. He has two dogs, Turbo and Shelley, and three cats, Mightie, Tessa, and Sushi. When he isn't working as a veterinarian, he spends a lot of time working in his lawn and gardens. He is involved with the Veterinary Information Network as a VIN Representative and as a mentor in the VIN Virtual Veterinary Internship program as a mentor.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

If you enjoy these stories, please consider donating to the VIN Foundation to help us continue this work. https://vinfoundation.org/give

Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt. 

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

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!

Dr. Rebecca Mears on her love for horses, and the vital role resources have played in her veterinary career16 Jun 202300:41:37

Listen in as Dr. Rebecca Mears from the VIN Foundation Student Debt Education Team shares her unorthodox path to veterinary medicine, the trends she is seeing in her work with veterinary students and student debt. Find out how a horse jockey and dinosaur fit into her story. As she says in the beginning, this episode is a fun ride!

 

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Rebecca Mears

Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, where she completed her BS at University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Rebecca has worked as an equine general practitioner and is an active AAEP member. She has been involved in the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) since vet school and now as a co-advisor for the National VBMA. In her work with VIN and the VIN Foundation she has a primary focus on student debt education and is a member of the VIN Student Team. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found hiking, baking, and hosting impromptu dance parties. 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Dr. Susan Cohen on perfectionism, why it impacts the veterinary profession, how to identify it, and what to do next26 May 202300:38:57

Listen in as VIN Foundation Vets4Vets® team member Dr. Susan Cohen dives deep on perfectionism. She covers how to identify it in ourselves and/or others, how it impacts veterinary teams, and helpful tools to decrease the self-torment. Learn how to move toward enjoying the good stuff, and find out what a bliss list is and how it can be motivational. Check the links below to download a copy of Susan’s Bliss List example. 

 

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Susan Cohen 

Susan P. Cohen, DSW, ACSW has been called a pioneer in the fields of pet loss, human-animal interaction, and the human side of veterinary practice. Since 1982 Dr. Cohen has helped pet lovers make decisions about the illness of their pets. She developed the first-ever Pet Loss Support Group and began an animal assisted activity program that took the then-unusual form of having volunteers work with their own pets. She originated many training programs for workers in the veterinary and social service fields, and she has been a field instructor for several schools of social work. She has written several book chapters and scholarly articles on social work, veterinary practice, and the human-animal bond. Her most recent book chapter, “Loss, Grief, and Bereavement in the Context of Human-Animal Relationships” (Susan Cohen, DSW; and Adam Clark, LSW, AASW) was published in 2019. She is currently working on a chapter on pet loss for Routledge’s International Handbook on Human-Animal Interaction. These days she consults with veterinary groups on client and professional communication, compassion fatigue, and how to make practice fun again. She facilitates online support groups for veterinarians, animal welfare workers, managers, and those grieving the loss of a pet. She teaches online workshops and lectures widely to veterinary colleges and conferences, colleges of social work, veterinary technician programs, and human health groups on communication, pet loss and bereavement, human-animal interaction, client relations, compassion fatigue, and career development. She is Vice Chairperson of SWAHAB (Social Workers Advancing the Human-Animal Bond), the first such committee of the National Association of Social Workers. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, and Smithsonian Magazine. In addition, she has made numerous television and radio addresses nationwide, including “The Today Show,” “20-20,” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

Quotes mentioned in the episode:

  • Brene Brown: “Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame.”
  • Fred Astaire: “Do it big, do it right, and do it with style.”

 

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 leave a review, subscribe/follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on the latest student debt hot list topics and what borrowers need to do now19 May 202300:41:25

Listen in as student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels and student debt team member Dr. Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. This episode we’re going through the current hot list of student debt topics the team is hearing from colleagues and a to-do list of what borrowers need to do now. 

 

Hot List:

  1. Did you finish vet school before 2014? - You may have privately-held FFELs.  Consolidate and benefit from the one-time forgiveness count adjustment
  2. Do you have loans that have been in repayment longer than you've been using income-driven repayment? - Consolidate and benefit from the one-time forgiveness count adjustment.
  3. Are you eligible for PAYE? Are you using PAYE? - Make sure you find out before PAYE is phased out!
  4. Did you make any payments before the pandemic forbearance benefits began, March 13, 2020? - Request a refund before the benefits end!
  5. Do you know when your income-driven repayment renewal date is? Hint - it's not until sometime after January 2024, at least. Use the My Student Loans tool to see your "Anniversary Date" and start planning your post-forbearance strategy.
  6. Married? Have you been filing your taxes separately from your spouse recently because of your student debt? - You can amend recent prior year tax returns from separate to joint! We covered this in a recent Dear Dr. Debt column. Visit with your accountant to see if you can get a refund.
  7. Graduating veterinary school in 2023? Congratulations! Did you miss the New Grad Student Loan Repayment Playbook webinar? - Here is a link to the playbook recording, slides, and checklist.

 

Honorable mentions (coming soon):

  1. Most unpaid interest capitalization is going away starting July 1, 2023
  2. One-time forgiveness count adjustments will be applied in 2024 (or sooner if you are due forgiveness)
  3. The Supreme Court will rule on the special cancellation benefits this summer
  4. Interest and payments are likely starting up later this summer, possibly after August 2023

 

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.  

GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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.

 

Dr. Rebecca Mears

Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, where she completed her BS at University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, she served as the National Business Certificate Director for the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) and as a board member for Vets for Pets and People. During this time she took an active role in wellbeing awareness and access within the veterinary community. Rebecca then worked as an equine general practitioner and is an active AAEP member. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found hiking, baking, and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students. 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

Get Student Debt Updates: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-debt-updates/

VIN Foundation Student Debt Tools:

Additional links:

 

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, 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!

Dr. Philip Richmond on advocating to remove the stigma around alcohol and substance use disorder and improve wellbeing in the veterinary profession16 May 202301:01:45

Dr. Philip Richmond vulnerably shares his journey with alcohol substance abuse, and how he takes lessons learned to help colleagues through vital peer support. He shares the importance of clear communication, the needed ongoing effort to work on ourselves, assuming good intent, and the power of positive emotions. This episode digs deep with heart touching stories and an empathic approaches to well being in the veterinary profession. As Philip shares in the podcast one of his favorite quotes: “Be curious, not judgemental” - Walt Whitman

 

*Trigger warning* hey all, a quick heads up that some of the content in today’s episode may include a trigger as it relates to alcohol and substance abuse disorder, childhood trauma, and suicidal ideations. As a reminder, the VIN Foundation’s confidential support group Vets4Vets® is here for you and you can find information to reach out in the episode notes. please know, you are not alone. 

 

GUEST BIO:

Philip Richmond, DVM, CAPP, CPHSA, CPPC, CCFP 

Dr. Richmond is the Chief Medical & Wellbeing Officer for Veterinary United and the Founder of Flourishing Phoenix Veterinary Consultants. He is an advocate for positive culture and individual, team and organizational psychological health, safety, and wellbeing in veterinary workplaces.

 

Dr. Richmond both leads and is involved in state, national and international projects for the advancement of workplace wellbeing and culture in veterinary medicine. He currently serves as the chair for both the Florida Veterinary Medical Association’s Outreach and Professional Wellbeing Committees and is a member/advisor for several national committees and boards for workplace suicide prevention and veterinary wellbeing, including those sponsored by the CDC/NIOSH, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, AAHA, Fear Free, MentorVet and Appalachian State University.

 

Dr. Richmond is a speaker and published writer, a frequent veterinary podcast guest, and holds multiple certifications in the fields of applied positive psychology, appreciative inquiry, workplace wellbeing, psychological health & safety, trauma-informed workplaces, resilience training, behavior change, and suicide prevention. He was awarded the FVMA Gold Star for service in 2019 and FVMA Veterinarian of the Year in 2021.

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

If you enjoy listening to this podcast and want to support these efforts, please consider making a donation to the VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/give

 

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!

Dr. Lance Roasa on the ins and outs of contract negotiation27 Apr 202300:44:58

Dr. Lance Roasa shares best practices for contract negotiations based on his almost 10 years of experience helping veterinary colleagues. He covers everything from what to look for in a colleague’s first employment contract, to advice on how to renegotiate a current contract, and what colleagues need to know who are looking to get out of a contract. Learn what BATNA means, the important aspects of knowing how to quantify your value, a helpful resource available on negotiation, and his desire to shed more light on equal pay. 

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Lance Roasa

Lance Roasa, DVM, MS, JD 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. 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk on how a childhood plan took a left turn and led to her passion for mental wellness19 Apr 202300:42:01

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk chats with VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan benShea about how growing up a child of veterinarians fueled her passion for the profession. From leaving her home country of Canada to practice in the US, and her vulnerable sharing about when she knew her dream job was no longer the right fit, Dr. Holowaychuk shares her story of finding a passion for mental wellness and helping colleagues. 

 

*TRIGGER WARNING* Some of the content in this episode may include triggers for mental health topics. As a reminder, if you are a veterinary student or veterinarian, the VIN Foundation’s confidential peer-to-peer support group Vets4Vets® is here for you, at no cost, please know, you are not alone. Text (530) 601-2133 or visit the Vets4Vets® website to learn more at https://vinfoundation.org/v4v.

 

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk is a board-certified small animal emergency and critical care specialist and passionate advocate for veterinary team wellbeing. As a yoga and meditation teacher and wellness coach, she facilitates workshops and retreats for veterinary clinics and organizations and offers individual and group coaching and online programs for veterinary team members. She recently launched a new website (www.revivingvetmed.com) containing wellness resources for veterinary professionals and is the host of the Reviving Vet Med podcast, which offers practical tools and easily applicable tips for burnout prevention and workplace wellbeing.

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

VIN Foundation Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/v4v

Dr. Sophia Yin Memorial Fund: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/dr-sophia-yin-memorial-fund/

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk website: https://marieholowaychuk.com/

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on big changes to student loans with latest news and updates18 Feb 202300:24:11

Listen in as student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels and the newest student debt team member Dr. Rebecca Mears chat with Executive Director Jordan benShea in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. 

 

In this episode we cover the following nine topics:

  1. Latest announcement on Jan 10th
  2. Phasing out of ICR and PAYE repayment plans
  3. Is this a different way of doing things?
  4. Where can a borrower see what repayment plan they are enrolled in currently?
  5. A ‘new’ income driven repayment plan?
  6. What is Re-REPAYE?
  7. ‘New’ plan added to Student Loan Repayment Simulator
  8. Are there other changes happening?
  9. What should colleagues do now?

 

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.  

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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.

 

Dr. Rebecca Mears

Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, where she completed her BS at University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, she served as the National Business Certificate Director for the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) and as a board member for Vets for Pets and People. During this time she took an active role in wellbeing awareness and access within the veterinary community. Rebecca then worked as an equine general practitioner and is an active AAEP member. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found hiking, baking, and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students. 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

VIN Foundation Blog Recent Student Debt Blog posts: 

 

Email VIN Foundation: studentdebt@vinfoundation.org

 

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, 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! Reach out to podcast@vinfoundation.org.

 

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on the latest student loan extension and what you need to know now07 Dec 202200:31:29

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan benShea chats with student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels and the newest student debt team member Dr. Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. 

 

In this episode we’re covering the following six topics:

  1. Latest news for current veterinary school students 
  2. How to help 2023 grads prepare for repayment
  3. What pandemic grads, classes 2020, 2021 and 2022 should be doing
  4. Helpful information for all other borrowers
  5. The latest on the Student Debt Relief before the Supreme Court
  6. Recertification and the important dates to be aware of now

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.  

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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.

 

Dr. Rebecca Mears

Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, where she completed her BS at University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, she served as the National Business Certificate Director for the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) and as a board member for Vets for Pets and People. During this time she took an active role in wellbeing awareness and access within the veterinary community. Rebecca then worked as an equine general practitioner and is an active AAEP member. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found hiking, baking, and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students. 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

Email VIN Foundation: studentdebt@vinfoundation.org

Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt. 

 

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, 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!

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on the latest student loan news09 Nov 202200:35:01

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan benShea chats with student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels and the newest student debt team member Dr. Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. 

 

In this episode we’re discussing the latest news of student loans and covering these four topics:

  1. Student Debt Relief Application/Status
  2. Consolidation - Should you? Why? When? 
  3. PSLF Limited Waiver
  4. Bonus - upcoming changes

 

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.  

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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.

 

Dr. Rebecca Mears

Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, where she completed her BS at University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, she served as the National Business Certificate Director for the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) and as a board member for Vets for Pets and People. During this time she took an active role in wellbeing awareness and access within the veterinary community. Rebecca then worked as an equine general practitioner and has been an active AAEP member. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found hiking, baking, and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students. 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter

Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details -- 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/

VIN Foundation Blog posts: 

Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/ 

StudentAid.gov: https://studentaid.gov/

Student Debt Relief Application: https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief/application 

Student Debt Relief Information: https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement/one-time-cancellation 

Department of Education press release: https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-announces-actions-fix-longstanding-failures-student-loan-programs 

StudentAid.gov https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment

Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers

StudentAid PSLF: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/

 

Email VIN Foundation: studentdebt@vinfoundation.org

Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt. 

 

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!

Dr. Lynn Hendrix on the importance of evidence based medicine for palliative care15 Sep 202200:51:15

Dr. Lynn Hendrix shares her veterinary path, from an endearing childhood story with a horse, to practicing emergency medicine, and finding hope and passion for palliative care through complicated personal grief. This conversation offers insight and education around end of life care, and for all of us who love our animals, want the best for them, and are eager to learn how to be more observant of their needs. 

 

*TRIGGER WARNING* Some of the content in this episode may include triggers for topics including pregnancy and person loss. As a reminder, if you are a veterinary student or veterinarian, the VIN Foundation’s confidential peer-to-peer support group vets4vets® is here for you, at no cost, please know, you are not alone. Call (530) 601-2133 or visit the website to schedule a confidential Vets4Vets® session https://vinfoundation.org/resources/vets4vets/.

 

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Lynn Hendrix

Dr Lynn Hendrix has worked and been on the cutting edge of the animal hospice and veterinary palliative medicine field.  She is a certified Hospice and Palliative veterinarian, and Founder/owner of Beloved Pet Mobile Vet. She was a co-author on the 2013 IAAHPC guidelines for best practices in animal hospice and palliative care. She is founder of the Facebook group, the Veterinarian Palliative Medicine group, and the founding consultant for the Hospice and Palliative medicine folder on VIN.   She has also founded the World Veterinary Palliative Medicine Organization in 2018, though it has been on hiatus since 2020 due to covid. Dr. Hendrix has an upcoming book, Animal Hospice and Palliative Medicine for the House Call Veterinarian. Just recently, she started giving End of Life rounds at UC Davis.

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

VIN Foundation Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/v4v

Animal Hospice and Palliative Medicine for the House Call Veterinarian: 

Social links:

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!

Drs. Tony Bartels and Rebecca Mears on the recent court rulings and their impact on borrowers student loan repayment plans29 Jul 202400:25:17

Listen in with student debt experts and Board Member Drs. Tony Bartels and Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. In this episode we’re covering the latest news on the SAVE plan, the recent court rulings, what new grads should focus on now, and the best next steps based on the available student loan repayment plans. 

 

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.  

 

NOTE: This is an ongoing situation, for continued updates visit the VIN Foundation Blog and student debt message board areas.

GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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, daughter, Lucy, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.

Dr. Rebecca Mears

Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, and a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Rebecca started her career as an equine general practitioner and is an active AAEP member, currently serving as a member of the AAEP DEI Committee. Her interest in student debt education began with keeping her own education costs lower and grew from there. This was supported by her involvement in the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA), which she now gives back to as a National Advisor. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found obsessing over plants and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students. 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter

Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details -- VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans

Loan Repayment Simulator: https://vinfoundation.org/loansim 

VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt

VIN Foundation get updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/

VIN Foundation GIVE page to support these programs & tools: https://vinfoundation.org/give

VIN Foundation Blog, Related Student Debt Blog posts: 

Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/ 

Income-Driven Repayment Plan Discretionary income calculations, WikiDebt: https://www.vin.com/studentdebtcenter/default.aspx?pid=14352&catId=74141&id=7249857 

Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Applications: https://studentaid.gov/

Department of Education Updates on Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE Plan): https://www.ed.gov/save 

SAVE Plan Court Actions: Impact on Borrowers: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-court-actions 

SAVE Repayment Plan Offers Lower Monthly Loan Payments https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-plan

Have a veterinary story you want to share? https://share.hsforms.com/1e6QkQvg2RI-wpDv59Byqkwcos60

Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/

Email VIN Foundation: studentdebt@vinfoundation.org

 

Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt. 

Have a story you would like to share on the podcast? Submit your story idea

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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!

 

Dr. Tony Bartels on the latest student loan news and what borrowers should do now27 Aug 202200:26:00

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan benShea chats with student debt expert and VIN Foundation Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels about the latest big news. Tony covers what we know now about the student debt relief program, and what questions we still need answered. Tony also discusses what you should do now before the payment pause extension expires after December 31, 2022, and shares his thoughts on the new income-driven repayment plan.

 

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.  

 

GUEST BIO:Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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, daughter, Lucy and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on the latest student loan forgiveness news and what borrowers should do now08 May 202200:38:58

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan benShea chats with student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels and the newest student debt team member Dr. Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. 

 

In this episode we’re discussing the latest news about student loan forgiveness from the Department of Education. Is this a time machine for loan forgiveness? What should borrowers know now and if colleagues have been making payments can they get a refund? Find out what you need to do if you federally held loans versus commercially held loans and where to go for updates. 

 

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.  

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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.

 

Dr. Rebecca Mears

Rebecca Mears, DVM grew up in Delaware before moving to Lexington, KY, where she completed her BS at University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, she served as the National Business Certificate Director for the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) and as a board member for Vets for Pets and People. During this time she took an active role in wellbeing awareness and access within the veterinary community. Rebecca then worked as an equine general practitioner and has been an active AAEP member. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found hiking, baking, and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do so as a member of the VIN Foundation student debt team and Rising Leaders Committee lead.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

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!

The Future’s So Bright Series - Dr. Bree Montana and Dr. Jose Pla on the importance of telling your veterinary practice story05 May 202200:42:32

Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan benShea has a conversation with Dr. Bree Montana and Dr. Jose Pla in the next episode of the podcast series, The Future’s So Bright, the ins and outs of selling a veterinary practice. Jose takes us through the important aspects of sharing the story of your practice. What financial documents do you need? Do you need your tax records? And how important is production? What are minority partnerships? He also does a deep dive into the below five big categories of what needs to be considered when you are getting ready to sell your practice:

 

Top 5 categories to have when considering selling your veterinary practice:

  1. Lease information
  2. Financial records, make sure they are clean
  3. Make sure that practice management software is able to print out financial reports
  4. Think about your exit plan, are you willing to work and for how many years?
  5. Pay to have a professional evaluator ahead of selling, ideally 2 years

 

Most importantly, we want to hear from YOU our listeners, to know what topics YOU want to hear about from experts. Please email us to share your thoughts: podcast@vinfoundation.org.

 

GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Bree Montana Bree Montana, DVM, CCFP graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science degree focused in the field of Biology followed by a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation from veterinary medical school, Dr. Montana worked exclusively in small animal outpatient and emergency hospitals while pursuing additional medical training in the latest technologies. Dr. Montana has advanced training in ultrasonography, echocardiography, chemotherapy, dentistry, emergency medicine and surgery, transfusion medicine, class IV laser therapy, pain management and rehabilitation. A past member of UC Davis’ College of Veterinary Medicine’s External Advisory and Admissions Boards, and a past Board member of the VIN Foundation, Dr. Montana is the Director of the VIN Foundation’s Vets4Vets® programs. When not practicing medicine, Dr. Montana will generally be found playing with her daughter Ember and their ponies, hiking with her huskies, and skiing or snowboarding with her husband. 

 

Dr. Jose Pla

Dr. Pla obtained his DVM degree from Cornell University in 1995 and his MBA from Rutgers University in 2018. As a practicing veterinarian he has a special interest in feline medicine, behavior, nutrition and gastrointestinal diseases. As a businessman he has been the owner or co-owner of five veterinary practices and a  founding partner of Companion Animal Practices North America. Since obtaining his MBA, Dr. Pla shifted his focus to entrepreneurial ventures, practice management education and private practice transition consulting. He is an avid sailor, scuba diver and wanna-be photographer. Activities he shares with his wife and two sons. 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Dr. Tony Bartels on the latest student loan news and what you need to know now20 Apr 202200:32:03

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan benShea chats with student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. In this episode we’re discussing the latest changes to student loans, including the latest student loan pause extension through August 31, 2022. Tony covers everything from should you file your taxes separately if your married, to how to do a physical exam of your student loans. 

 

*Episode note* As always this is a fast changing landscape and since we recorded this episode additional student loan information has been in the news, check the links below for more information.

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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:

 

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!

Dr. Casara Andre on the power of cooperation to create a supportive community20 Apr 202200:35:30

Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan benShea has a conversation with Dr. Casara Andre about her first-hand boots-on-the-ground experience as the volunteer branch director of the Front Range Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (FRvMRC) and how her heart cat brought her to the veterinary profession. Join us as we learn about her story from a forensics anthropologist passion to volunteer work and her successful experience as an entrepreneur. With helpful life lessons and fascinating stories, this episode offers a wonderful opportunity to explore a different veterinary career path full of passion. 

 

*Episode note… this episode was originally recorded in February 2022 but due to some technical issues was published on April 20, 2022.”

 

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Casara Andre Casara Andre, DVM, is a Healer consistently motivated by her desire to help all mammals of all species (human and veterinary) repair and sustain their health and wellbeing. A veterinarian by education and training, Dr. Andre’s day-to-day mission is creating a safe-haven and incubator-for-ideas opportunities within medical communities.  By leveraging the power of cooperation, creating a supportive community, and encouraging creative solutions, she works to support entrepreneurship among Healers that have a vision for positive change in the world. Dr. Andre currently serves the geographic regions east of the Continental Divide as the volunteer branch director of the Front Range Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (FRvMRC).  The FRvMRC is a group of medical and non-medical volunteers working to support a disaster prepared and resilient veterinary community and provide animal-related expertise to non-veterinary disaster response organizations.

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

The Future’s so Bright Series: Dr. Bree Montana and Dr. Susan Cohen on the mental and emotional aspect of selling a veterinary practice22 Feb 202200:41:14

Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan benShea has a conversation with Dr. Bree Montana and Dr. Susan Cohen in the 3rd installment of the podcast series The Future’s So Bright, the ins and outs of selling a veterinary practice. This episode we’re diving into the mental and emotional aspect of making the choice to sell a veterinary practice. 

 

From exploring how identity can be tied up with owning a practice, to how to deal with a shift in life priorities. Bree shares her personal experience, Susan offers tips on how to assess when the right time to sell might be based on a colleague's individual life circumstance, and we discuss how colleagues can set themselves up for mental success.

 

Most importantly, we want to hear from YOU our listeners, please weigh in on the discussion, and we want to know what topics YOU want to hear about from experts. Please email us to share your thoughts: podcast@vinfoundation.org.

 

GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Bree Montana Bree Montana, DVM, CCFP graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science degree focused in the field of Biology followed by a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation from veterinary medical school, Dr. Montana worked exclusively in small animal outpatient and emergency hospitals while pursuing additional medical training in the latest technologies. Dr. Montana has advanced training in ultrasonography, echocardiography, chemotherapy, dentistry, emergency medicine and surgery, transfusion medicine, class IV laser therapy, pain management and rehabilitation. A past member of UC Davis’ College of Veterinary Medicine’s External Advisory and Admissions Boards, and a past Board member of the VIN Foundation, Dr. Montana is the Director of the VIN Foundation’s Vets4Vets® programs. When not practicing medicine, Dr. Montana will generally be found playing with her daughter Ember and their ponies, hiking with her huskies, and skiing or snowboarding with her husband. 

 

Dr. Susan Cohen Dr. Susan P. Cohen has been called a pioneer in the fields of pet loss, human-animal interaction, and the human side of veterinary practice. Since 1982 Dr. Cohen has helped pet lovers make decisions about the illness of their pets. She developed the first-ever Pet Loss Support Group and began an animal assisted activity program that took the then-unusual form of having volunteers work with their own pets. She originated many training programs for workers in the veterinary and social service fields, and she has been a field instructor for several schools of social work.

She has written several book chapters and scholarly articles on social work, veterinary practice, and the human-animal bond. Her most recent book chapter, “Loss, Grief, and Bereavement in the Context of Human-Animal Relationships” (Susan Cohen, DSW; and Adam Clark, LSW, AASW) was published in 2019. She is currently working on a chapter on pet loss for Routledge's International Handbook on Human-Animal Interaction.

These days she consults with veterinary groups on client and professional communication, compassion fatigue, and how to make practice fun again. She facilitates online support groups for veterinarians, animal welfare workers, managers, and those grieving the loss of a pet. She teaches online workshops and lectures widely to veterinary colleges and conferences, colleges of social work, veterinary technician programs, and human health groups on communication, pet loss and bereavement, human-animal interaction, client relations, compassion fatigue, and career development. 

She is Vice Chairperson of SWAHAB (Social Workers Advancing the Human-Animal Bond), the first such committee of the National Association of Social Workers. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, and Smithsonian Magazine. In addition, she has made numerous television and radio addresses nationwide, including “The Today Show,” "20-20," and "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

VIN Foundation Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/v4v

Book appt with Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/v4vappt

Veterinary Pulse Podcast on VIN: https://vinfoundation.org/podcast_v

VIN Foundation application access for VIN: https://vinfoundation.org/vinapp

 

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!

The Future’s So Bright Series - Dr. Bree Montana and Dr. Lance Roasa on different types of veterinary practice sales10 Feb 202200:50:12

Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan benShea has a conversation with Dr. Bree Montana and Dr. Lance Roasa in the next episode of the podcast series, The Future’s So Bright, the ins and outs of selling a veterinary practice. In this episode, we’re drilling down on the different types of veterinary practice sale options. Lance breaks it down into four main buckets of sale options, with an additional fifth bonus bucket for a more alternative approach. 

 

Are you wanting to sell all of your practice? Maybe you want to stop working? Or perhaps you want to continue working but are curious about the financial options to improve your work/life balance. Listen in to find out how Bree did on her homework assignment and the pros and cons of each sale option. 

 

Most importantly, we want to hear from YOU our listeners, to know what topics YOU want to hear about from experts. Please email us to share your thoughts: podcast@vinfoundation.org.

GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Bree Montana Bree Montana, DVM, CCFP graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science degree focused in the field of Biology followed by a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation from veterinary medical school, Dr. Montana worked exclusively in small animal outpatient and emergency hospitals while pursuing additional medical training in the latest technologies. Dr. Montana has advanced training in ultrasonography, echocardiography, chemotherapy, dentistry, emergency medicine and surgery, transfusion medicine, class IV laser therapy, pain management and rehabilitation. A past member of UC Davis’ College of Veterinary Medicine’s External Advisory and Admissions Boards, and a past Board member of the VIN Foundation, Dr. Montana is the Director of the VIN Foundation’s Vets4Vets® programs. When not practicing medicine, Dr. Montana will generally be found playing with her daughter Ember and their ponies, hiking with her huskies, and skiing or snowboarding with her husband. 

 

Dr. Lance Roasa

Lance Roasa, DVM, MS, JD 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. 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Student Debt Series: Dr. Tony Bartels on the student loan payment pause extension, and what borrowers need to know now22 Dec 202100:24:48

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan benShea chats with student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. In this episode we’re discussing the latest news announced today by President Biden extending the pause on federal student loan repayments for an additional 90 days — through May 1, 2022, and what borrowers need to know, and do now. 

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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:

 

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!

The Future’s so Bright Series: Dr. Bree Montana and Dr. Lance Roasa on the ins and outs of selling a veterinary practice10 Dec 202100:31:07

Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan benShea has a conversation with Dr. Bree Montana and Dr. Lance Roasa to kick off the new podcast series, The Future’s So Bright, the ins and outs of selling a veterinary practice. In this episode we discuss our goals for the series, topics we plan on covering, including - various financial aspects of selling a practice, different types of sale options, tips on how to figure out if an associate might be a good buyer, where real estate comes into play, and the impact of mental health. Those interested in this path also get a homework assignment to get started. 

 

Most importantly, we want to hear from YOU our listeners, to know what topics YOU want to hear about from experts. Please email us to share your thoughts: podcast@vinfoundation.org.

 

GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Bree Montana Bree Montana, DVM, CCFP graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science degree focused in the field of Biology followed by a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation from veterinary medical school, Dr. Montana worked exclusively in small animal outpatient and emergency hospitals while pursuing additional medical training in the latest technologies. Dr. Montana has advanced training in ultrasonography, echocardiography, chemotherapy, dentistry, emergency medicine and surgery, transfusion medicine, class IV laser therapy, pain management and rehabilitation. A past member of UC Davis’ College of Veterinary Medicine’s External Advisory and Admissions Boards, and a past Board member of the VIN Foundation, Dr. Montana is the Director of the VIN Foundation’s Vets4Vets® programs. When not practicing medicine, Dr. Montana will generally be found playing with her daughter Ember and their ponies, hiking with her huskies, and skiing or snowboarding with her husband. 

 

Dr. Lance Roasa

Lance Roasa, DVM, MS, JD 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. 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

  1. VIN Foundation Vets4Vets: https://vinfoundation.org/v4v
  2. Drip.vet: https://drip.vet/
  3. VBMA: https://vbma.biz/
  4. EBITDA: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/ebitda.asp

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!

Dr. Christy Corp-Minamiji on her non-traditional path in veterinary medicine and how she sees her role as it relates to diversity, and inclusion07 Dec 202100:46:51

*TRIGGER WARNING* Some of the content in this episode may include triggers on anxiety. As a reminder, if you are a veterinary student or veterinarian, the VIN Foundation’s confidential peer-to-peer support group vets4vets® is here for you, at no cost, please know, you are not alone. Call (530) 794-8094 or visit the website to schedule a session: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/vets4vets/

 

Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan benShea has a conversation with Dr. Christy Corp-Minamiji, a veterinarian with a love for words. Christy shares her non-traditional journey in the veterinary profession, how improving someone’s day is part of her job, and what she sees as the path for mental health, diversity and inclusion amongst colleagues.

 

GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Christy Corp-Minamiji

Christy Corp-Minamiji, DVM is a 1996 graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.  She has worked as a small animal practitioner, in the biologics industry as a field researcher and technical services veterinarian/marketing director (it was a small company), and for a decade as a large animal practitioner.  In 2011, she changed career tracks when the large animal practice was closed due to the recession.  Since that time she has worked in communications for the Veterinary Information Network where she learns new job skills every day.  She lives in Davis, CA with a rotating array of almost adult and adult offspring.  Though she currently has no pets of her own she makes use of friends and family by loving on their furry and/or feathery companions whenever possible.

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Dr. Alexia Mazzarella shares her experience with NAVLE and the positives of a non-typical path27 Jul 202400:45:02

Listen in as we talk with recent veterinary graduate Dr. Alexia Mazzarella, as she shares the pros and cons of starting veterinary school during COVID, and the benefits she has experienced from a non-typical veterinary path. 

 

This episode covers how she managed to learn anatomy online, became fast friends with a roommate, and then finding out she didn’t have the necessary educational knowledge for the NAVLE. Alexia takes us inside her journey as a leader in her class, and finding her way to overcome struggles. 

 

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.  

GUEST BIO:

Alexia Mazzarella, DVM, cVMA

Alexia graduated from Michigan State University this past May in the Class of 2024. While at MSU, she served as the 2024 Class President all four years and was very involved with SAVMA, serving on the Executive Board for 2 years as the Veterinary Economics Officer. It was through these experiences that she developed a passion for organized veterinary medicine and serving her community. Her veterinary interests include soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, acupuncture, rehab, and palliative care, especially for geriatric patients.  Her goals right now include a ABVP residency path and ultimately working in a high-volume General Practice setting. In her free time, Alexia loves checking out local gym classes, hiking, biking, kayaking, and visiting the local Farmer's Markets. Alexia just moved to Apex, NC with her fiancé  to start a rotating internship in July. She is excited to share her story with the VIN Foundation and hopes she can bring comfort to others who may have experienced similar circumstances! 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt. 

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

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!

Dr. Jennifer Woolf on raising awareness about veterinary forensics and the importance of asking the right questions21 Oct 202101:06:17

*TRIGGER WARNING* Some of the content in this episode may include triggers for topics including animal abuse and interpersonal violence. As a reminder, if you are a veterinary student or veterinarian, the VIN Foundation’s confidential peer-to-peer support group vets4vets® is here for you, at no cost, please know, you are not alone. Call (530) 794-8094 or visit the website to schedule a confidential Vets4Vets® session https://vinfoundation.org/resources/vets4vets/.

 

Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan benShea has a conversation with Dr. Jennifer Woolf about the current veterinary forensics landscape. Do you know your state’s animal abuse reporting laws? Does the story fit the clinical signs? Do veterinarians need to have experience in veterinary forensics to report animal abuse? In this episode Jennifer covers how animal abuse is currently handled in the veterinary profession, where she sees areas for improvement and the link between animal abuse and interpersonal abuse. 

 

GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Jennifer Woolf Dr. Woolf received her D.V.M. and M.S. (concentration: Veterinary Forensic Sciences) from the University of Florida (UF). Over the years, she has worked in private practices and animal welfare organizations, including relief work at over 50 locations in the Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA areas. In 2014 she founded Woolf Veterinary Forensics Consulting where she lectures internationally on animal abuse, the Link, and veterinary forensics, as well as investigating and consulting on individual cases. She also works for Veterinary Information Network (VIN), behind the scenes and upfront writing articles and developing materials on animal abuse and veterinary forensics for VIN members and the general public. Additionally, Dr. Woolf is an instructor in the UF Veterinary Forensic Sciences Online Graduate Programs, has published numerous articles and a book chapter on animal cruelty topics, and was a 2018-2019 Don Low-CVMA Practitioner Fellow at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine in the Anatomic Pathology Department. Dr. Woolf is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the International Veterinary Forensic Sciences Association (IVFSA), and a founding member of the Alameda County Animal Cruelty Task Force. Previously she has served on the boards of the IVFSA and the Contra Costa County Veterinary Medical Association.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website https://vinfoundation.org, or join the conversation on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VinFoundation, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vinfoundation, or Twitter https://twitter.com/vinfoundation.

 

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!

Inhale, Exhale Series: Dr. Susan Cohen on colleagues in crisis and suicide awareness in the veterinary profession08 Oct 202101:05:02

*TRIGGER WARNING* some of the content in this episode may include triggers for topics including: Adverse Childhood Events also known as ACEs, animal abuse, and interpersonal violence, including child abuse and domestic violence. As a reminder, if you are a veterinary student or veterinarian, the VIN Foundation’s confidential peer-to-peer support group vets4vets® is here for you, at no cost, please know, you are not alone. Call (530) 794-8094 or visit the website to schedule a session: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/vets4vets/

 

Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan benShea has a conversation with Vets4Vets® team member Dr. Susan Cohen about suicide risks in the veterinary profession, how adverse childhood events play a role, and the impact of perfectionism. This episode kicks off the Veterinary Pulse’s Inhale, Exhale Series on mental wellness in the veterinary profession. Learn the warning signs of mental distress, what to do if you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, and where to go for help.

 

GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Susan P. Cohen Susan has been called a pioneer in the fields of pet loss, human-animal interaction, and the human side of veterinary practice. Since 1982 Dr. Cohen has helped pet lovers make decisions about the illness of their pets. She developed the first-ever Pet Loss Support Group and began an animal assisted activity program that took the then-unusual form of having volunteers work with their own pets. She originated many training programs for workers in the veterinary and social service fields, and she has been a field instructor for several schools of social work. She has written several book chapters and scholarly articles on social work, veterinary practice, and the human-animal bond. Her most recent book chapter, “Loss, Grief, and Bereavement in the Context of Human-Animal Relationships” (Susan Cohen, DSW; and Adam Clark, LSW, AASW) was published in 2019. She is currently working on a chapter on pet loss for Routledge's International Handbook on Human-Animal Interaction.

These days she consults with veterinary groups on client and professional communication, compassion fatigue, and how to make practice fun again. She facilitates online support groups for veterinarians, animal welfare workers, managers, and those grieving the loss of a pet. She teaches online workshops and lectures widely to veterinary colleges and conferences, colleges of social work, veterinary technician programs, and human health groups on communication, pet loss and bereavement, human-animal interaction, client relations, compassion fatigue, and career development. She is Vice Chairperson of SWAHAB (Social Workers Advancing the Human-Animal Bond), the first such committee of the National Association of Social Workers. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, and Smithsonian Magazine. In addition, she has made numerous television and radio addresses nationwide, including “The Today Show,” "20-20," and "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Shiloh Landskov on the difference between credit card debt and student loan debt repayment strategies23 Sep 202100:37:47

Join VIN Foundation Board Members Dr. Matt Holland and Dr. Tony Bartels in a discussion with new veterinary graduate and practicing veterinarian Dr. Shiloh Landskov about strategies in paying off student loan debt. Is it best to pay it off as fast as possible? Is there value in choosing an income-driven repayment plan? Is a budget really necessary? How does student loan debt compare to credit card debt when it comes to repayment? Listen in to learn about veterinary student loans from three different perspectives, and advice on best strategies based on your situation. 

 

GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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.

 

Dr. Shiloh Landskov 

Dr. Shiloh Landskov is a new graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2020. She is a Minnesota native, and currently works in general practice and emergency medicine. Her interests include emergency medicine, surgery, and leadership within veterinary medicine. She currently lives with her husband and 6 pets in central Minnesota.

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

Email VIN Foundation: studentdebt@vinfoundation.org

 

Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt. 

 

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!

Edie Lau on her path to veterinary journalism and trends in the profession18 Sep 202100:32:27

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan Benshea chats with VIN News Director Edie Lau about life as a veterinary journalist and her hope for the profession. 

 

GUEST BIO:

Edie is the VIN News Service director and has been reporting and editing for VIN News since 2008. Before that, she covered science, energy, the environment, education and whatever else needed doing at newspapers in Sacramento, California; Portland, Maine; Binghamton, New York; and Stockton, California. Edie has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley. She lives near Seattle with her husband, daughter and two canine associates.

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Indya Woods on her commitment to doing the work needed to improve diversity in the profession01 Sep 202100:28:53

Join VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan Benshea as she chats with 4th year Auburn veterinary student Indya Woods about the importance of not listening on defense, coming to a conversation with an open heart, and the willingness to be vulnerable to connect with colleagues. 

 

GUEST BIO:

Indya Woods

Indya Woods is currently a 4th year veterinary student at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Indya grew up in Mobile, AL, and knew she loved animals from a very young age. Indya began pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian while in college at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During her time at UAB, Indya completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. While in college, Indya also developed a love for servant leadership, mentorship, and community service- which influenced her extracurricular involvement in veterinary school.

At Auburn, Indya currently serves as Vice President of the Class of 2022. Indya has also served as 2019-2020 National Vice President of Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment (VOICE) and 2020-2021 National Co-President of VOICE. Indya’s time with VOICE showed her that she has a true commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity within the veterinary profession, and hopes to continue to use her career to educate her peers on DEI within vet med.

After graduating in May 2022, Indya hopes to move to South Florida to become a small animal and exotics veterinarian. She also hopes to volunteer in aquatic animal rescue and rehabilitation. 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Dr. Tony Bartels on the latest student loan repayment extension news and advice for next steps28 Aug 202100:20:07

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan benShea chats with Board Member and student debt expert Dr. Tony Bartels in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. In this episode, we’re discussing the latest news about the latest Student Loan Repayment Extension, who it impacts, advice for what to do with this forbearance time, and how to prepare for restarting your loan payments when the extension ends. 

GUEST BIO: Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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:

 

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!

Dr. Rachel Mar on prioritizing self-care and encouraging colleagues to live a life of vitality28 Aug 202100:35:59

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan Benshea chats with Dr. Rachel Mar about the importance of having compassion for yourself, her path to creating Vitality Vet, and how Batman (yes Batman!) plays a role in her life.

 

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Rachel Mar

Dr. Rachel Mar completed her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in photography at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She worked in high school ministry for one year then moved to Dublin, Ireland to obtain her degree in Veterinary Medicine from University College Dublin. Now she is an integrative veterinarian working in Santa Barbara, California. She is a Fear Free certified veterinarian and will complete her Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture (CVA) through Chi University at the end of Summer 2021. Dr. Mar is currently enrolled in the Certified Canine Rehabilitation Professional (CCRP) course through the University of Tennessee. She has a blog dedicated to improving the wellbeing of both pet parents and their pets, and also offers virtual veterinary teleadvice consults via her website www.thevitalityvet.com. Dr. Mar can also be found on Facebook and Instagram (@thevitalityvet).

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Dr. Andrew Moffatt on recognizing burnout, lessons learned while building a business, and helping future colleagues20 Jul 202100:52:07

Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan Benshea chats with Dr. Andrew Moffatt about his veterinary career journey from his early dreams of being a fish doctor to the CEO of VetnCare. Andrew shares lessons learned on his path and how his motivation is driven by a passion to help future colleagues be their best selves. 

 

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Andrew Moffatt

Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Andrew Moffatt, DVM, MBA, at the age of five, told his mother, with a firm commitment, that he wanted to be an "animal doctor". Some 20 years later Dr. Moffatt graduated with a degree in Veterinary Science from Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand in 2006.

 

He started his veterinary career at Cliffe Veterinary Group in East Sussex, England, then made the move to London and took on the role of Clinical Director at Chadwell Heath Veterinary Practice. Dr. Moffatt then joined The Village Veterinary Group (CVS) as Clinical Director, managing four busy hospitals and 55 staff. Whilst living in London, he completed an Executive MBA at Cass Business School.

 

In between these permanent positions Dr. Moffatt worked in another 20 hospitals for varying lengths of time, and made the move to California in the fall of 2011 and lives in San Francisco with his black and white cat Monstey. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, fly-fishing, cycling, and diving.

 

Dr. Moffatt tries to offer his clients and their pets health care advice that is honest, ethical, and compassionate. His has advanced skills in surgery (both soft tissue and orthopedics), imaging (ultrasound, radiology, and endoscopy), dentistry, oncology, and exotic patient care, enjoys seeing species such as rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, pigs, goats, and even fish! He is obtaining his certification as a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) with the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management and is Fear Free Certified.

 

Dr. Moffatt is the Founder and current CEO of VetnCare, Inc, a growing group of veterinary hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area. These days his main foci are New Graduate mentorship, Veterinarian recruitment, and clinical leadership and operations.

 

In 2017 Dr. Moffatt was awarded the California Veterinary Medical Association's "RVT's Outstanding DVM of the Year". This award recognizes Dr. Moffatt's hard work and dedication to his patients, clients and staff alike and rewards his focus on education, training and progressive medicine. He is an active member of the CVMA's PAC (Political Action Committee) and the Certified Veterinary Assistant Committee. He is also a past Vice President and Board Member of the Alameda County Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Moffatt is an Expert Witness for the  Veterinary Medical Board providing consultation to the board as part of Disciplinary Investigations. He speaks at numerous AVMA accredited schools around the world, covering various business topics including professional happiness, debt management, veterinary business finance, entrepreneurialism, and veterinary business ownership. 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Dr. Tony Bartels on FedLoan Servicing and the latest student loan news13 Jul 202100:20:57

Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan Benshea has a conversation with VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt expert Dr. Tony Bartels on the latest news about FedLoan Servicing and how it impacts student loans. 

 

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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:

Email VIN Foundation: studentdebt@vinfoundation.org

Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt. 

 

Recent Reports on FedLoan Servicing Exit:

 

 

 

 

                                                                      

 

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!

Daniella Guzman on taking a strategic approach in choosing a veterinary school and the value in forging your own path06 Jul 202100:47:10

Listen in as Dr. Matt Holland has a conversation with Ohio Veterinary School student Daniella Guzman, and Dr. Tony Bartels about financing veterinary school, and how the school decision has lasting impacts on a veterinary career. They discuss the intersectionality of mental health and money, and how creating your own path in the midst of expectations 

 

GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Tony Bartels

Tony Bartels graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) and a VIN Foundation Board Member. 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 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.

 

Daniella Guzman

Daniella is an economist and fourth-year veterinary student at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and is pursuing a career in zoological medicine and is exploring an interest in veterinary public policy. Highly active in organized veterinary medicine, she is currently the AAZV Student Programs and Services Student Representative, the WDA Wildlife Veterinary Section Student Representative, President of the OSU chapter of VOICE and WVLDI, and holds various other leadership roles. In her spare time, Daniella likes to take her cat on nature walks and paint pet portraits for her friends and family. 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Drs. Tony Bartels and Rebecca Mears on the current top three student debt topics24 May 202400:32:54

Listen in as student debt experts and Board Member Drs. Tony Bartels and Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. In this episode we’re covering three major topics: 1) Updates and how they impact new grads and not to new grads 2) PAYE and ICR phase outs 3) Bonus mention for a new proposal to cancel up to $20k. Now is the time to learn what you need to know going into the summer.

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.  

GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Tony Bartels Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and 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. 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, daughter, Lucy, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.

Dr. Rebecca Mears

Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, and a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Rebecca started her career as an equine general practitioner and is an active AAEP member, currently serving as a member of the AAEP DEI Committee. Her interest in student debt education began with keeping her own education costs lower and grew from there. This was supported by her involvement in the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA), which she now gives back to as a National Advisor. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found obsessing over plants and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students. 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

VIN Foundation Blog, Related Student Debt Blog posts: 

Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/ 

Infographic ONE-TIME FORGIVENESS COUNT ADJUSTMENT: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-student-debt/student-debt-one-time-forgiveness-count-adjustment/

One-Time Forgiveness Count Adjustment Video Case Study, 1999 DVM may save more than $65,000 in student loan costs: https://youtu.be/6gp7cXvEy8c

Income-Driven Repayment Plan Discretionary income calculations, WikiDebt: https://www.vin.com/studentdebtcenter/default.aspx?pid=14352&catId=74141&id=7249857 

Repay Wiser: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/repay-wiser-veterinary-school-debt-loan-repayment/

Borrow Better: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/borrow-better-veterinary-school-loan-debt/ 

New Grad Student Loan Repayment Playbook: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-new-grad-student-loan-repayment-playbook/ 

Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Applications: https://studentaid.gov/

SAVE Repayment Plan Offers Lower Monthly Loan Payments https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-plan

New Proposed Regulations Would Transform Income-Driven Repayment by Cutting Undergraduate Loan Payments in Half and Preventing Unpaid Interest Accumulation: https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/new-proposed-regulations-would-transform-income-driven-repayment-cutting-undergraduate-loan-payments-half-and-preventing-unpaid-interest-accumulation 

Payment Count Adjustments Toward Income-Driven Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Programs:

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment

 

Department of Education press release (Nov 2022):  https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-continues-fight-student-debt-relief-millions-borrowers-extends-student-loan-repayment-pause 

 

Department of Education press release (April 2022): https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-announces-actions-fix-longstanding-failures-student-loan-programs 

 

One-time Forgiveness Count Adjustment  https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment

Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

 

Have a veterinary story you want to share? https://share.hsforms.com/1e6QkQvg2RI-wpDv59Byqkwcos60

Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/

Email VIN Foundation: studentdebt@vinfoundation.org

Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt. 

 

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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!

Charlotte Waack on her love for the science, animals and a glimpse into the life of veterinary support staff30 Jun 202100:40:00

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:

 

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!

Nia Powell on how being persistent and pushing through can result in great things29 Jun 202100:41:10

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:

 

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!

Dr. Tony Bartels on sizing up the student loan tax forgiveness exemption14 May 202100:25:16

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:

 

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!

Dr. Andrew Lee on recognizing red flags and not letting fear get in the way of making changes13 May 202100:30:37

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!

Dr. Lance Roasa and Dr. Drew Olson on the worldwide personal finance problem and its tie to mental health30 Apr 202100:45:37

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:

 

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!

Dr. Moriah McCauley on staying curious, pivoting, and giving yourself grace22 Apr 202100:40:51

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:

 

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!

Justice Birdsong on her definition of diversity in the veterinary profession, and the importance of empathy toward others05 Apr 202100:37:37

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:

 

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!

Dr. Serena Nayee on the cultural difference between animal and human medicine, and her quest to improve inclusive advocacy31 Mar 202100:47:56

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:

 

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!

Dr. Bronwyn Fullagar on practicing veterinary medicine around the world and the importance of humor08 Mar 202100:41:20

Listen in as VIN Foundation Board Member Matt Holland chats with Dr. Bronwyn Fullagar about her dedication to self-care, how humor plays a vital role, and what it’s like performing veterinary surgery around the world.

 

HOST AND GUEST BIOS:

 

Dr. Matt Holland

Matt Holland, DVM graduated from the University of Illinois CVM class of 2017. He is a Veterinary & Pre-Vet Student Advocate for the VIN Student Team and his interests are Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, mental wellness, environmental health, student debt, & policy. His interest in policy led him to Washington, D.C. after graduating, where he completed the AVMA/AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Congressional Fellowship in the office of Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship at the USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture. Originally from a suburb of Chicago, IL, he came to veterinary medicine as a second career. After graduating in 2007 from Drake University with a B.A. in radio and television journalism, he worked as a freelance television producer for various media outlets in Chicago and New York City including Big Ten Network, Major League Baseball Network, and the Chicago Bears. During veterinary school, he found a love for giving back to the profession, and one of his proudest achievements is serving as SAVMA President. He is thankful for the opportunity to keep giving back as a VIN Foundation board member and excited for the future of the VIN Foundation.

 

Bronwyn Fullagar, BVSc, MS, DACVS-SA

Dr. Bronwyn Fullagar is a specialist small animal surgeon based in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Bronwyn grew up in Brisbane, Australia and earned her veterinary degree from the University of Queensland in 2007. After a few years in mixed and small animal practice, she moved to Calgary for a rotating internship, then to the Ohio State University to complete a residency in small animal surgery. She returned to Canada and was awarded Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2016. Since then, Bronwyn has worked as a specialist small animal surgeon in Canada, Australia and the United States, and has volunteered as a surgical instructor for World Vets and the Worldwide Veterinary Service. At work, she enjoys challenging soft tissue surgery cases and she loves to share her enthusiasm for surgery, helping veterinary students and practicing vets to boost their expertise and confidence. When she’s not in the clinic, you can find her in the mountains, trail running with her dog, mountain biking or backcountry skiing. 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Junior Saint Preux shares the importance of believing in yourself, and how diversity, equity, & inclusion play a role25 Feb 202100:58:46

Listen in as Junior Saint Preux, past SAVMA Chapter President, and Ross veterinary student chats with Dr. Matt Holland about his journey of perseverance. They discuss everything from diversity, equity, and inclusivity efforts on the Ross Veterinary School campus, to the importance of role models, and knowing when to make your move in life is vital for success. 

 

HOST AND GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Matt Holland

Matt Holland, DVM graduated from the University of Illinois CVM class of 2017. He is a Veterinary & Pre-Vet Student Advocate for the VIN Student Team and his interests are Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, mental wellness, environmental health, student debt, & policy. His interest in policy led him to Washington, D.C. after graduating, where he completed the AVMA/AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Congressional Fellowship in the office of Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship at the USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture. Originally from a suburb of Chicago, IL, he came to veterinary medicine as a second career. After graduating in 2007 from Drake University with a B.A. in radio and television journalism, he worked as a freelance television producer for various media outlets in Chicago and New York City including Big Ten Network, Major League Baseball Network, and the Chicago Bears. During veterinary school, he found a love for giving back to the profession, and one of his proudest achievements is serving as SAVMA President. He is thankful for the opportunity to keep giving back as a VIN Foundation board member and excited for the future of the VIN Foundation.

 

Junior Saint Preux 

Junior Saint Preux is a 4th-year student at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Orlando, FL he received his Bachelor’s of Biological Sciences from Bethune-Cookman University. After several twists and turns, Junior had to decide between his athletic career in track and field or continuing his education. Through the support of his fraternity brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., he made his way to Florida A&M University Pharmacy School for one semester before ultimately realizing the importance of being passionate about a direction. Junior knew a career in veterinary medicine was his calling with a desire to help both people and animals. Upon starting at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine he recognized an opportunity to improve the veterinary school experience for himself and his classmates. He began to dedicate his time to SAVMA and was elected Chapter President, where he focused his efforts on addressing the importance of diversity and inclusion and making Ross a safer and more welcoming campus for minorities and underrepresented students. Junior also collaborated with classmates to start the first student chapter of the National Association for Black Veterinarians, creating a safe space for African Americans and allies at Ross. Through this effort, they have also been able to mentor undergraduate students, create their own mentoring program to connect with alumni for guidance and collaborate with the school counselors to address issues regarding the mental health of the minority students. Junior believes in the motto “lifting as we climb,” and continues to focus his efforts in the veterinary profession with this mission. 

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Dr. Jim Clark shares his multifaceted veterinary career path with relatable insights into learning from your mistakes, leadership, partnerships and more23 Apr 202401:20:32

Listen in as Dr. Jim Clark takes the time to share the story of his fascinating veterinary career path. From how he started his first practice, to the importance of listening to your colleagues, and how his path took him through multi-practice ownership and teaching at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine to his three-legged approach to success in the profession. Dr. Clark also spends the time to share his tips for veterinary colleagues who are interested in being independent practice owners, including a recommended timeline and the most important things to consider. 

 

This episode has all the makings of how we as humans are a work in progress, and provides relatable insights into leadership, partnerships, finance, teaching, and a love for animals.

 

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.  

GUEST BIO:

Jim Clark, DVM, MBA

U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Jim Clark is an animal lover, entrepreneur, multi-practice owner, clinician, and educator. After working in general and emergency practice for more than 20 years, earning an MBA, and serving as an owner in four ER/Spec practices, Clark joined the faculty of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010, assuming leadership of their Professional Skills curriculum. He currently provides instruction in communication, mental health, career planning, DEI, and business management skills.

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

Veterinary Education and Communication Coaching: http://www.petpracticepartners.com/

VIN Foundation Start Up Club: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-practice-start-up-club/

VIN Foundation Student Debt Education: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter

Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt. 

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

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!

Dr. Quincy Hawley and Renee Machel discuss the intersection of self-improvement and mental health17 Feb 202101:06:58

This episode VIN Foundation Board Member Dr. Matt Holland is having a conversation with Get MotiVETed Co-Founders Dr. Quincy Hawley and Renee Machel. Listen in as they discuss self-improvement, diversity, equity, & inclusion, and mental health.

 

HOST AND GUEST BIOS:

 

Dr. Matt Holland

Matt Holland, DVM graduated from the University of Illinois CVM class of 2017. He is a Veterinary & Pre-Vet Student Advocate for the VIN Student Team and his interests are Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, mental wellness, environmental health, student debt, & policy. His interest in policy led him to Washington, D.C. after graduating, where he completed the AVMA/AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Congressional Fellowship in the office of Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship at the USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture. Originally from a suburb of Chicago, IL, he came to veterinary medicine as a second career. After graduating in 2007 from Drake University with a B.A. in radio and television journalism, he worked as a freelance television producer for various media outlets in Chicago and New York City including Big Ten Network, Major League Baseball Network, and the Chicago Bears. During veterinary school, he found a love for giving back to the profession, and one of his proudest achievements is serving as SAVMA President. He is thankful for the opportunity to keep giving back as a VIN Foundation board member and excited for the future of the VIN Foundation.

 

Dr. Quincy Hawley

Quincy Hawley, DVM is a 2013 graduate of NC State’s CVM. Dr. Hawley has 6 years of working in small animal general practice. He is the co-founder of Get MotiVETed LLC, a company that provides wellbeing solutions for veterinary professionals and organizations. He is a Certified Professional Coach, self-published self-help and fitness author. Dr. Hawley has experience coaching a variety of veterinary professionals including but not limited to veterinarians, practice managers, and various veterinary hospital support staff. Dr. Hawley is also the president of the NC Association of Minority Veterinarians, a 501-3c non-profit organization with a purpose of improving diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency for the profession. Dr. Hawley volunteers his time as a member of NC State’s CVM admissions committee, and is currently serving his 3rd term doing so. He lives in NC with his wife, 2 daughters, along with their 8 dogs, 1 calico cat and a handful of chickens!

 

Renee Machel

Renee Machel is a nationally recognized wellbeing speaker, certified life coach, CYT 200 yoga instructor, mindfulness, and meditation guide. As the co-founder of Get MotiVETed she aims to provide a positive impact on people’s wellbeing and enhance the culture within organizations. She has spent nearly 20 years in the veterinary industry as a hospital leader and technician. She now shares her personal story of overcoming wellbeing struggles and key teachings in managing personal and professional wellbeing and development. Additionally, she lives in NC with her blended family, welcoming their newest addition into the world this spring, and of course, her fur-kids Eli & Penelope. As a family, they spend much of their time racing motocross when she and her fiance are not wearing their ‘entrepreneur hats’.

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Dr. Tony Bartels on the Latest COVID-19 Student Loan Relief News29 Jan 202100:20:42

Tune in as we chat with student debt expert Dr. Tony Bartels about the latest updates to the COVID-19 Student Loan Repayment Relief announced this week. 

 

Since March 13, 2020, borrowers with federally held student loans have received student loan repayment relief. Interest rates have been set to zero percent, payments have been suspended, and for those using income-driven repayment or working towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness, the suspension time has counted towards qualifying forgiveness payments.

 

The entire student loan collection system was never intended to be turned off and on all at once, like a switch, so what can we expect as we head into a full year of this relief? Listen in to learn more.

 

 

In this episode we mention the following links and information:

 

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!

SAVMA Chapter President Jonathan Dumas discusses the diversity, equity, and inclusion reality as a veterinary student22 Jan 202100:53:55

This episode VIN Foundation Board Member Dr. Matt Holland is having a conversation with Ross Veterinary School SAVMA Chapter President and SAVMA Chapter President Representative-elect Jonathan Dumas.

 

Jonathan is candid and transparent about his unique path to veterinary school and shares a realistic view on how the veterinary profession is dealing with diversity, equality, and inclusion. Facing his steepest challenge yet, Jonathan admits that veterinary school is difficult, and this raw conversation provides insight into his touching story of perseverance and dedication. As Jonathan says, faith without work is dead.

 

HOST AND GUEST BIOS:

Matt Holland, DVM

Matt Holland graduated from the University of Illinois CVM class of 2017. He is a Veterinary & Pre-Vet Student Advocate for the VIN Student Team and his interests are Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, mental wellness, environmental health, student debt, & policy. His interest in policy led him to Washington, D.C. after graduating, where he completed the AVMA/AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Congressional Fellowship in the office of Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship at the USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture. Originally from a suburb of Chicago, IL, he came to veterinary medicine as a second career. After graduating in 2007 from Drake University with a B.A. in radio and television journalism, he worked as a freelance television producer for various media outlets in Chicago and New York City including Big Ten Network, Major League Baseball Network, and the Chicago Bears. During veterinary school, he found a love for giving back to the profession, and one of his proudest achievements is serving as SAVMA President. He is thankful for the opportunity to keep giving back as a VIN Foundation board member and excited for the future of the VIN Foundation.

 

Jonathan Dumas

Jonathan is from Miami, Florida, and attended the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. He then went on to receive a dual master’s in Agricultural and Extension Education and International Agriculture and Development from Pennsylvania State University. Jonathan spent five years working in Washington, D.C. as a Program and Policy Analyst for both USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services, and USDA, Departmental Management, Office of Human Resources Management respectively. It has been Jonathan’s lifelong dream to become a Veterinarian, and since starting Veterinary School he has developed interests in mixed animal medicine, animal nutrition, and public policy. Jonathan currently serves as the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine SAVMA President and is the National SAVMA Chapter Presidents Representative-Elect.

 

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

 

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!

Dr. Lance Roasa and Dr. Tony Bartels on COVID-19 Student Loan Repayment Restart for Veterinary Students18 Dec 202000:27:50

Tune in as we have a conversation with student debt expert Dr. Lance Roasa and Dr. Tony Bartels about the COVID-19 Student Loan Repayment Relief Ending and strategies for re-entering repayment specifically veterinary students. 

 

Normally, interest accrues on your veterinary school Direct Loans from the day you receive them. The interest suspension you received during 2020 has been an extremely beneficial form of financial relief. This will likely save you tens of thousands of dollars during repayment. 

 

Unfortunately, the student loan interest suspension period will end and interest will begin to accrue on your loans at some point after January 31, 2021. For the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, the loans you received from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, will accrue interest at a rate of 4.3% for Direct Unsubsidized and 5.3% for Direct Grad PLUS loans.

 

Listen in to learn best practices to help you renter student loan repayment as a veterinary student. 

 

SPEAKER BIOS:

Dr. Lance Roasa

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. Dr. Roasa exclusively serves veterinarians from his law practice, teaches veterinary law and business at 14 veterinary schools, and co-founded drip.vet.

 

Dr. Tony Bartels

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. 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:

 

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!

© My Podcast Data