In the first episode of our two part series on Veterinary CPR, Dr. Kerl is pleased to welcome Drs. Boller, Burkitt, and Fletcher. Their conversation includes discussing their experiences in veterinary medicine and the groundbreaking RECOVER 2.0 Initiative, which aims to improve CPR practices in the field. They each share their professional journeys, the historical context of CPR, the design and outcomes of the RECOVER 2.0 guidelines, and the international response to their work. They emphasize the importance of community support, education, and ongoing research to fill knowledge gaps in veterinary CPR. Enjoy listening to part one and stay tuned for part two coming up next!

For more information, please check out the links below:

RECOVER 2.0 Initiative

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14764431/2024/34/S1

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In this episode of the VCA Voice Podcast, Dr. Kerl is pleased to welcome Dr. Melanie Hnot, a specialist in veterinary dermatology. In their conversation, she shares her journey in veterinary medicine and discusses the importance of dermatology in pet care. She explains common skin conditions in pets, the role of primary care veterinarians, and the complexities of diagnosing and managing allergies. Dr. Hnot also highlights new treatments for your pet's skin irritation and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between pet owners and veterinarians in managing skin diseases.

Dr. Melanie Hnot, VMD, DACVD, is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist at VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital in South Florida, where she collaborates with local general practice veterinarians to provide comprehensive dermatological care for pets. Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of skin, ear, and allergy-related conditions, Dr. Hnot is dedicated to improving the quality of life for pets with chronic and severe dermatological issues.
Dr. Hnot received her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania before completing a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey. She further honed her expertise through a dermatology internship across practices in NJ and PA, culminating in a dermatology residency and a Master of Science degree from The Ohio State University in 2015.
Her clinical focus includes the management of allergic diseases and ear infections (otitis), common but often complex conditions in veterinary medicine. She offers advanced diagnostics and treatment options such as allergy testing and immunotherapy, particularly for pets suffering from atopic dermatitis.
When not at the hospital, Dr. Hnot enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her family, which includes her lively greyhound, Jagger. Her personal love for animals complements her professional commitment to delivering top-tier care.

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Happy Veterinary Technician Week! On his episode of the VCA Voice Podcast, Dr. Kerl welcomes Kim Dudder, Regional Technician Director for VCA's Mid-Atlantic Region. Listen in as she discusses her transition from early childhood education to becoming a credentialed veterinary technician. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, team dynamics, and the role of regional technician directors in optimizing patient care. Kim also highlights the significance of healthcare documentation and the Scribe program, as well as her collaboration with Harcum College and the Upward Bound program to engage and educate future veterinary professionals. Their conversation touches on the need for diversity in the field and the importance of community involvement in shaping the future of veterinary medicine. For more information on how Harcum College and Upward Bound created a pipeline for new Vet Nurses, check out this video.

Kim is a Certified Veterinary Technician residing in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Kim has been in veterinary medicine for 27 years with her clinical career focused on Emergency Medicine. She joined the VCA family in 2001 and has held many roles in VCA hospitals throughout her career. Kim is currently a Regional Technician Director for hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic Region. In her role as Regional Technician Director, she works with different teams in multiple aspects such as medical protocols, efficiency, training and her favorite aspect, mentoring Technician leaders on each team. This combines her passion for teaching and for veterinary medicine. Kim also has opportunities to engage with several Veterinary Technician Programs in her region working with new students and sitting on advisory boards to guide the next generation of Veterinary Technicians. Her goal is to encourage people to see that being a Veterinary Technician is an amazing career and to educate them on the numerous career paths that open up for credentialed technicians.

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In this conversation recognizing and celebrating our Latinx Associates, Michelle Gonzalez shares her extensive journey in veterinary medicine, detailing her rise from kennel attendant to Senior Regional Operations Director at VCA. She and Dr. Kerl discuss the challenges and rewards of managing multiple hospitals, the importance of mentorship, and the need for diversity and inclusion in the field. Michelle emphasizes community engagement, breaking down language barriers in veterinary care, and offers valuable advice for those aspiring to leadership roles in veterinary medicine.

Michelle has over 30 years in the veterinary industry. She began her career as a kennel attendant in a boarding facility and is now a Senior Regional Operations Director supporting two amazing Regional Operations Directors with multiple hospitals in three states. She is an advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), serving as Co-lead on the VCA Latinx Associate Resource Group and has served on the DEI Commission for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). She earned her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certification in 2010 and is an active member of the Veterinary Hospital Manager’s Association (VHMA). She served on the Board of Directors for 12 years and is a Past-President for the VHMA. Currently, she is attending the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University (ASU).

Please check out the links mentioned in this episode:

LatinX Veterinary Medical Association

Lionbridge

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In this conversation with Dr. Kerl, JoLynn Haller and Kathryn (Kat) Carman discuss their individual journeys in veterinary medicine and their roles as Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS) in Clinical Practice. The VTS in Clinical Practice is the technician specialty for veterinary technicians in primary care practice.
JoLynn shares her experience as a technician supervisor at VCA Fairmount Animal Hospital in Syracuse, New York, while Kat discusses her role as the surgery team lead at VCA Braylon Village Animal Hospital in Peachtree City, Georgia. They explain the differences between veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and kennel help in a veterinary hospital. JoLynn and Kat also provide insights into the VTS credentialing process and the importance of continuous learning in the field. They chat about the value of specialized knowledge and skills in providing the best patient care, highlight the role of mentors in their journey, and the benefits of pursuing VTS certification.

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We are celebrating our 50th episode of the VCA Voice Podcast with special guest Dr. Todd Lavender! Join Dr. Kerl and Dr. Lavender, former VCA president and current Chief Transformation Officer at Mars Veterinary Health, as they discuss his journey in veterinary medicine and his passion for the profession. In their conversation, Dr. Lavender emphasizes the importance of supporting and mentoring veterinary students and the vital role of veterinary technicians in the profession. He also talks about the entrepreneurial spirit at VCA and the ability to rapidly address unmet needs, during and after the global pandemic. Dr. Lavender encourages listening and being open to different perspectives as a way to understand and care for the future of veterinary medicine.

As the former president of VCA Animal Hospitals, a second-generation veterinarian, and now Chief Transformation Officer for Mars Veterinary Health, taking care of the future of veterinary medicine is deeply personal to Dr. Todd Lavender. His time with VCA started when he was a practice owner in Atlanta. During his 17+ years at VCA, Dr. Lavender’s leadership roles have spanned Operations, Recruiting and Medical Operations. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Eastern Hospital Operations, Regional Medical Director, Recruiting and Professional Relations Director, and Senior Group Vice President for VCA’s Eastern Division.

As Chief Transformation Officer, Dr. Lavender leads programs designed to increase access to care and inspire the next generation of veterinary professionals. He is also a Board Director for VCA Charities, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to keeping pets in loving homes, while also leading VCA’s exploration of how to build a more resilient profession and bring veterinary care to new communities, together with organizations like Vet Set Go and the Atlanta Humane Society.

Committed to building a more inclusive and diverse profession, he also serves as the executive sponsor for VCA’s equity, inclusion and diversity (EI&D) initiatives. In this role, Dr. Lavender supports and advocates for Associate-led diversity resource groups, including the Black* African American Network, LatinX Network, Pride* Network, and WISE: Women Impacting Success for Everyone.

Dr. Lavender received his bachelor’s and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from the University of Georgia, home of the 2021 College Football National Champions. He and his wife live in Los Angeles with their dog, Dooley.

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Dr. Kerl is pleased to welcome Dr. Wendy Deal, an Area Medical Director for VCA's Midwest Region and an Associate Veterinarian at VCA Mill Run. Listen in as they discuss her journey in veterinary medicine, the role of veterinary technicians and assistants, and the importance of mentorship programs for new veterinarians. Dr. Deal emphasizes the need for support and guidance during the transition from student to doctor and highlights the value of soft skills and professional development. They also chat about the VCA Mentorship Academy Program, which provides a structured six-month program for mentees and mentors. Mentors provide guidance and support throughout the program, including weekly coaching sessions.

Dr. Deal grew up in Columbus and obtained her BS at Northwestern University. She received her DVM at Cornell University in 2003 and completed a small animal rotating internship at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in Providence, RI. She moved home to Columbus in 2005 and joined VCA Mill Run, where she has continued to develop her interest in general practice, internal medicine and ultrasound. She has a passion for client education as well as training and educating hospital staff, veterinary students, and new doctors. Since 2019, Dr. Deal has helped coordinate the new graduate mentorship program for the central Ohio VCA hospitals, and she has been the Area Medical Director for central Ohio since 2021. She lives in Ohio with her partner Tim, enjoys outdoor sports and has three cats, Ernie, Primrose, and Junebug.

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Dr. Kerl is pleased to welcome Dr. Danny Joffe, Vice President of Medical Operations for VCA Canada. Listen in as Dr. Joffe shares his journey in veterinary medicine, from deciding to become a veterinarian in second grade to opening his own practice. He discusses the importance of internships in shaping a veterinarian's career and the value of continuing education and certification. Dr. Joffe also highlights the initiatives and programs implemented in VCA Canada, such as the feline declaw ban and the support program for veterinarians experiencing patient safety events or board actions. He also emphasizes the importance of veterinary technicians and their vital role in providing high-quality care.

Dr. Joffe graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (with Great Distinction) in 1985. He completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Cornell University in 1985-86, and then entered private practice, eventually starting his own small animal practice, Landing Animal Clinic, in Calgary Alberta in 1989, practicing there until 2020. He was a founding partner in a multi-specialist referral and emergency clinic (Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency Centre—C.A.R.E. Centre) in 2006 and was the Medical Director for this 30-doctor facility until the fall of 2020. In the fall of 2012 Danny became the National Medical Director for VCA Canada, Canada’s largest group veterinary practice, and in 2018 he became VCA Canada’s Vice-President of Medical Operations. He completed his board certification by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Canine/Feline Specialty) in 1992, becoming the first practicing veterinary specialist in Alberta. He has re-certified this specialty via examination in 2000 and 2010. In 2020 Danny was granted Emeritus status by this specialty group. Danny is a Past President of both the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association and the Canadian Academy of Veterinary Dermatology. Dr. Joffe is also a Clinical Instructor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

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