March 2nd was Employee Appreciation Day. I’m a bit late. My employees can take it out on me during bosses day, if that's a thing. As an owner of a veterinary practice, I feel extremely blessed and fortunate to have the employees that I have. Also, as an owner of a practice, I could probably do a better job at praising them on the things that they do well. For this week’s blog, I’m writing a quick blurb on why I’m thankful for each one of my employees, which I’m sharing with you and not them because I don’t want them to get too big of a head about it. Next thing you know, they’ll expect me to bring a cake. Donna Brand, Office Manager Donna started working for the clinic in 1987. That’s 31 years, folks! Donna would tell you that she started working for our clinic when she was eleven years old. Donna is the friendly smile to greet you, and she keeps our books up-to-date. Every workplace needs that one person to say what needs to be said, even when everyone else is afraid to say it, and that is Donna. Even as the owner, she’s not afraid to tell me what I need to hear. She has been a huge help since I bought into the practice in 2014. She’s very committed to the clinic, our clients, and their pets. She is forthright, which is an asset when you have an employee with as much experience as her. Donna keeps things running smoothly, and she keeps everyone in line (including myself). Carolyn Polson, Receptionist Carolyn started working for us in July 2012, just a month after I started working as an Associate Veterinarian. Prior to working for us, she was employed for 24 years as office coordinator for a local dentist. Carolyn is great with clients, has great phone etiquette, and is always willing to take time just to talk to clients and show empathy. She has always been open to progress and new changes I have made. Omer Conrow, Veterinary Assistant This year will be Omer’s twentieth year working for our clinic. Let me make a mental note just now to plan some sort of barbecue/calf testicle fry to celebrate this occasion. Omer started working for the practice the Monday after he graduated high school. He is our large animal tech guru, although he also helps with the small animal side from time to time. He’s also known as the feral cat whisperer in the clinic. Omer has been around long enough that he knows the ropes. In fact, he helped train me when I started working for the clinic years ago. In the early years of practice during stressful times, he would help reassure me. He keeps me safe on large animal calls. He was an immense help during my pregnancy as he really stepped up and took on some of the more dangerous tasks when cowboy skills were needed. Omer has a pretty tough exterior, but he is one of the kindest people you will meet, and he would give you the shirt off his back. It’s true that I’m his boss and he’s my employee, but he’s also like a big brother to me. His extra weight is also quite handy at the end of those OB chains. Angela Wilhoit, Veterinary Assistant Angela has been volunteering/shadowing with us since 2006 and started working for us in 2008. Angela is the workhorse of the practice. While she’s officially a veterinary assistant, primarily with small animal, she is cross-trained to do reception, book work, and large animal calls. It’s a pretty common occurrence for me to walk up to Angela and say, “We need to get the preanesthetic bloodwork on that cat that’s in for surgery tomorrow,” and she’ll respond with, “I already got it by myself.” You know what they say. Veterinary technicians can do everything veterinarians do. But when veterinarians do it, it takes twice as long, costs twice as much, and leaves twice the mess. Luckily, Angela is not gone very often, but when she most recently had to take a day or two off for being sick, it took two veterinarians to do her job. Like I said, we probably left twice the mess and didn’t do it as well. If you happen to think I’m a great veterinarian, it’s because Angela is behind the scenes making sure everything is done properly. She also makes sure our patients are treated with compassion and love. Robyn Harvey, Veterinary Assistant Robyn began shadowing with us the summer of 2004 and started working for the clinic in the fall of 2004. Robyn got a Bachelors in Animal Science from the University of Missouri and then moved on to get a Masters in Beef Ruminant Nutrition, working for the clinic on weekends the entire time. Even now when she has a job as a full-time research assistant at Sinclair Research Facility, she continues to work Saturdays for us. I’m pretty sure she still does it just because she loves veterinary medicine and working with animals. That kind of passion doesn’t come often. Her positive attitude and love for the profession make her a pleasure to work with. Benjamin Potter, DVM, Associate Veterinarian Dr. Potter started working with us in June 2016. He was the first (and only) veterinarian I’ve ever hired. Dr. Potter has been a wonderful addition to our practice. He has a strong passion for food animal medicine and educating farmers on progressive farm practices. He’s also great with small animal clients, so he’s very well rounded. Just six months after he started, I had my son and took six weeks of maternity leave. The following year, I was diagnosed with cancer and had to take some time off for treatment. He has been a trooper through it all and taken it all in stride. He has helped me grow the practice, has excellent communication skills, and he’s a very hard worker. Yeah. He’s pretty good for a millenial...I kid, I kid. With the two of us in the practice being young, enthusiastic, and motivated, I feel like our potential is unlimited. I’m thankful that he’s someone that I can trust to leave the practice with during the times I’ve had to take off the past couple of years. It has allowed me to rest easy and heal, and that is invaluable. As you can see, I have a lot of great employees, individuals I can rely on. Sure, business experts constantly advise practice owners to keep their professional distance from their employees, and there’s reason for that. However, I consider myself fortunate that my employees are my friends and feel like part of my extended family. Maybe it’s just because we’re a small-town, rural practice, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I get to work with the best people (in my unbiased opinion). To my employees, thank you for your hard work, your support, and allowing me to do what I do.
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Jessica Stroupe, DVM
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August 2017
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