Leadership
Walking Into Someone Else’s Practice: Lessons from Relief Work
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…
Read MoreIntent vs. Impact: What We Mean vs. What People Experience in Veterinary Medicine
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…
Read MoreOne Year Later: Still Focused on What Matters Most
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…
Read MoreFrom Questions to Confidence: How VLE Shaped My Journey
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…
Read MoreColorado’s Midlevel Veterinary Position: Where Things Stand Now
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…
Read MoreFrom Vet Tech to Candidate: Why I’m Running for AVMA President-Elect
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…
Read MoreThe Kind of Leader Veterinary Medicine Needs in 2025
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…
Read MoreWhat Does the AVMA President-Elect Actually Do?
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…
Read MoreHow the AVMA Election Works — and Why Your Voice Matters
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…
Read MoreOrganized Veterinary Medicine: Why Get Involved
🐾 Why Organized Veterinary Medicine Matters: A Call to Get Involved 🏥 The veterinary profession is built on a foundation of care—not just for our patients, but for our colleagues and the future of the field itself. While it’s possible to practice veterinary medicine without being involved in organized medicine, doing so means missing out…
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