Brain Drips Thoughts from Jen Quammen
What a Decade of Relief Work Has Taught Me About Veterinary Medicine There’s a unique perspective that comes with walking into a practice where you don’t work full time. You don’t know all the systems.You don’t know all the clients.You don’t know all the unwritten rules. And yet… you’re expected to step in, contribute, and…
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Why understanding intent vs. impact can improve communication, leadership, and trust in veterinary practice There’s something I’ve been thinking about lately — and if I’m honest, something I’m still actively working on. The difference between what we intend… and what actually lands. Because in veterinary medicine, we are surrounded by good intentions. We want to…
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One Year Later: Still Focused on What Matters Most It’s hard to believe—but it’s been over 12 months since I first began talking about this campaign for AVMA President-Elect. What started as a vision in June 2024 has become a full-blown journey of conversations, travel, and connection with veterinary professionals across the country. With just a…
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Leadership doesn’t always begin with a title. Sometimes, it begins with a campfire conversation. Or on a dock overlooking still water. Or over a plate of freshly baked cookies shared with people you just met — who somehow feel like lifelong friends by the end of the week. It’s hard to capture what the Veterinary…
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Veterinary professionals across the country are watching closely as Colorado creates rules and regulations for a new role in veterinary medicine: the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA). Colorado is meant to have rules and regulations created by January 2026 and there are pages and pages of public comments received already. With a series of public hearings…
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From Vet Tech to Candidate: Why I’m Running for AVMA President-Elect (And Why the Non-Traditional Path Might Be Exactly What We Need) Not long ago, someone asked me — genuinely, not critically — “Why you?” Why you, Jen? Why not wait? Why now? I smiled, because I knew they weren’t questioning my intentions. They were…
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The Kind of Leader Veterinary Medicine Needs in 2025 (Spoiler: It’s Not About Checking Boxes) Veterinary medicine is evolving faster than ever before. From advancements in AI and digital tools to shifting client expectations, changing team dynamics, and growing legislative complexity — the profession we love is in motion. And with change comes challenge… but…
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🗣️ You Spoke. I Listened. What I’ve Heard from the Veterinary Profession — and What We Can Do About It If there’s one thing I’ve learned while campaigning to be AVMA’s next President-Elect, it’s this: Veterinarians and veterinary teams aren’t short on opinions — they’re short on opportunities to be heard. So I’ve made it…
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What Does the AVMA President-Elect Actually Do? (Spoiler: It’s Not a Solo Show — And That’s a Good Thing) If you’ve been following the AVMA 2025 election journey, you might be wondering: “What does the President-Elect actually do?” Is it a figurehead role? Is it all speeches and handshakes? Or is it more like being…
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How the AVMA Election Works — and Why Your Voice Matters (Even if You’re Not the One Casting the Vote) Every year during AVMA convention, the AVMA elects a new President-Elect — someone to help represent veterinary medicine across the country and beyond. If you’ve been following along with this election cycle, you may have…
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