Since my last post I have met with the CVM Class of 2012.  It was a nice dinner with discussion about what happens after graduation.  Most of those at the meeting were looking to take positions in the workforce as associate veterinarians.  A few had jobs lined up, but many are still in the process of interviews and searching for their first job as a veterinarian.  The MVMA provided information on what we do and the programs we have available for all veterinarians, but in particular the recent grad section of the web site.  Dr. Jean Hudson was there to help me out and we shared experiences of first jobs, lessons learned and gave moral support.  We talked about graduation and licensing.  I graduated from MSU in 1997.  Much has changed since that time!  Graduates now have to be fingerprinted for licensure, amongst the other hoops that they jump through.  It is a time of great uncertainty when you don’t know where you will work, what you will be doing or what type of income you will have.  I sympathize with the level of stress they are all feeling right now.

On Thursday, Feb 16th, I met with a group of law students from the MSU School of Law.  Dr. Frank Karmona (MVMA President 2011), Ms. Karlene Belyea (our CEO) and I all answered questions about what we do in our jobs, what type of moral, ethical, and financial pressures veterinarians face, how our association helps veterinarians and the animal owning public, and similarities/differences in our professions.  We were happy to be invited to speak with the Animal Law class of about 21 students.  The students were all very interested in our job.  We had a great opportunity to explain the differences in companion animal and production medicine and the importance of communication with clients.   We talked about the many “Good Samaritan” activities that veterinarians do on a regular basis and the connections with shelters/rescues/animal welfare groups. 

I am getting ready for the Spartan Leadership Weekend (Feb 24-26) as my next MVMA adventure.  I look forward to a great time with 4 team members.  If any of you will be attending be sure to stop and chat with me!   We hope to go out on Saturday evening for some fun socially (not sure where yet).

Time to get back to my clients and patients!  I wish you all a productive and pleasant week to come.  Check back in soon!

Dr. Sayles

Just a little about me:  I am a small animal exclusive practitioner who graduated from MSU CVM in 1997 and a business owner since 2001.  I worked in mixed practice briefly and have a background with 4-H growing up in a rural community.

I had a wonderful time over the weekend at the Michigan Veterinary Conference.  I enjoyed meeting several new people and visiting with old friends.  I was fortunate to visit with 2 of the students I mentor from the veterinary school and to see several practitioners from my local association.  There was a weatlth of information in the exhibit hall from all the vendors. (I might look into some of the flooring options for my kennel.)  I got in some good CE too.  The speakers on Oncology and Marketing your Practice were my favorites.  It was a good chance to connect with the past presidents of the MVMA too at our luncheon on Saturday.

Now it’s time to get on with our next project.  MSU is hosting the Spartan Leadership Weekend on February 24-26, 2012 with Dr. Rick DeBowes coming to speak.  I can honestly say that he is one of the most motivational speakers I have ever heard.  The weekend is open to practitioners and their teams and I strongly urge you to consider it!  Your team will come out of the experience with better understanding of their leadership preferences and styles and with renewed commitment to why they do what they do.  We all love animals and the communication with their owners is what allows us to perform our passion.  I attended the Spartan Leadership Weekend last year when it was first offered and I feel that I am a better person in my personal life for it too.  I will be sending 4 of my team members to it because I believe so strongly in it.  You won’t find a better price either at $100 or less for an entire weekend!  You can find information on how to register at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine website or the contact person is Dr. Sarah Abood at 517-432-7782.

So what else is going on?  I will be speaking with the CVM Class of 2012 on Feb 1st to go over the benefits of MVMA Membership and what we have to offer recent graduates. I met several members of the class at the Spartan Leadership Weekend last year and at the White Coat Ceremony as they entered the clinical phase of their training so I look forward to visiting with them again and answering their questions about life after vet school.

Hope this wasn’t too much of a commercial for the program at MSU!  I really found great value in it and wanted to share so that others could enjoy the benefits I have.   Hope you have a productive and prosperous week!

The leadership development committee helped to create an all day seminar on developing a culture of trust that I will be facilitating in the morning on Friday so stop in to say Hi or meet me for the first time.  I’d love to hear whats going on in your world and answer any questions that I can.