b'EMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE,VETERINARY WOMAN CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGEACHIEVE & LEAD TOGETHERS U M M A R Y After growing up totally in love with my chestnut showjumper Norman in Arizona, I was fascinated by sports medicineBackground: I grew up in Arizona,and, thanks to working for my local vet, equine surgery. By obsessed with my showjumper, Norman.some miracle (and a lot of hard work) I was able to get into aSince my childhood, Ive always resonatedMy love for equine sports medicine led toprestigious internship after vet school and finally a residencywith ending animal suffering. But aftera residency, a PhD in osteoarthritis, and ain large animal surgery. When the US horse industry later tooksome pretty hefty challenges in my own life, passion for leadership and translationalan economic dip, I found myself on a big adventure working in medical technology. Now, I help driveI became passionate about not only being change through the European Board ofVienna, Austria, as a Senior Equine Surgeon at their veterinarya voice for animals, but a voice for human Veterinary Specialisation. university, where I ended up specialising (again) with ACVSMRempowerment too.Mission: I advocate for betterand eventually finishing a PhD in osteoarthritis that led communication, workforce solutions,me into translational medical technology. This transition and improved work culture to supportintroduced me to a passion for leadership and translational vets, patients, public health, and theimpact at scale, so when a chance came up to join thecare for animals throughout Europe is not only pivotal for me, environment. European Board of Veterinary Specialisation in a leadershipas a core value common to all veterinarians, but also for theChallenges: Overcoming imposterrole, I was thrilled to be involved! health of hundreds of millions of people, our planet, and our syndrome and other personal struggles,Please summarise how you are working towards changeeconomic stability. as well as navigating resistance to changein the veterinary professions and why do you feel this isWhat motivated you to want to change things?within the profession. The key has beenimportant? I remember one specific day, I was discharging a postoperative open conversations, resilience, andVeterinary medicine is a profession of love, of wanting tocolic to its owner at the Vetmeduni Vienna. The owner and her continuous learning. make a difference for our patients and their owners. We workdaughter were so thankful to me, and happy that their horse I mpact: My work has helped elevateinsanely hard at this, and it is no wonder that we haventwas doing well and going homeevery surgeons dream, right? veterinary voices in policy discussions,been great at making time to take care of ourselves, or toExcept that at the moment that I shook their hands and turned foster collaboration, and drive initiativeslearn non-medical skills which can have such an impact. I feelto walk away, my mind was completely filled with the thought, that enhance veterinary wellbeing,incredibly honoured in my role because I get to see the bestThere must be more I can do, more than one horse at a time, efficiency, and accessibility to care. in veterinarians and veterinary specialists every day; and Imore that I could contribute. And while my path was notAdvice: Talk to your audience at theirlearned in my translational industry position how difficult it isalways voluntary, I am so thankful for the incredible journey level. Effective communication is aboutto see and address our own gapseven as a profession.Im on.Since my childhood, Ive always resonated with ending creating understanding, not just making aNow, I spend my time across Europe advocating for betteranimal suffering. But after some pretty hefty challenges in my point. Authenticity and clarity help bringown life, I became passionate about not only being a voice for others on board. communication both to the public and inside our veterinaryNext Steps: I will continue advocatingcommunity, looking for economic solutions to workforceanimals, but a voice for human empowerment too.for positive change, using my platforminadequacies, talking with stakeholders to understand theirHow have you encouraged other people to get on board to encourage diverse leadership andneeds, how to support them in wellbeing, work culture,with your ideas?meaningful conversations. I believe inadministrative burdens, etc. I get to interact with politiciansI think its so important to cultivate relationships organically. owning our value and speaking up forand other agencies to strengthen our veterinary voice andIm not really a natural networker because that can what matters. community.sometimes have a transactional feel to it, but when we can By supporting veterinary specialists and veterinarians,genuinely relate to other people, then its easy to share our the impact for patients, for public health, and for our ownideas and find ways to collaborate. This is my go to. colleagues are so fulfilling. Improving the quality and access to www.veterinarywoman.co.uk 46'