Thankful Thursday: Personalized Appreciation

May 19, 2022

There is always a mix of shout-outs for whole teams, individuals, and support staff. It just goes to show that every person is an integral part of the success of the network. These notes are so touching and personal that we really get to know you all so much better by reading them!

Stephanie Head from Jackson Veterinary Hospital, St. Augustine, Florida, wants to recognize all the team members at Jackson Veterinary Hospital: "Everyone has pulled together and made being short-handed these past months much easier as a whole. Their hard work and dedication has kept our business thriving!"

Amy Klotz from Douds Veterinary Hospital, Oberlin, Ohio, wants to recognize Aaron Serrano, Kennel Attendant: "Aaron is a very dedicated team member and is willing to pitch in and help whenever and wherever needed. He has been helping a lot with appointments recently and is doing an amazing job! We are so grateful to have Aaron on our team!"

Jennifer Weitzel from the OPS team wants to recognize the paper lite support champions: "I would like to recognize the amazing team of paper lite champions. They are doing great assisting practices with the transition! I sincerely appreciate their dedication, kindness, and ongoing support. Thank you so much!"

Amy Obusek from Pleasant Hills Pet Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, wants to recognize the entire staff at PHPH: "I wanted to send a huge thank you to the entire staff of PHPH. This week (week of 5/2/2022) has certainly been a doozy! We were down 5 staff members due to illness & injury and everyone really chipped in to help us get through it. From picking up extra shifts to helping me (their HM) with completing inventory counts and ordering, running to the bank, and rescheduling appointments; all with smiles on their faces and continuing to provide wonderful care to our clients.  To throw another monkey wrench in, we were to re-open this week, and staff (and myself) had to explain to owners why we needed to hold off. And the icing on the cake for the week- our parking area was taken away due to a sewage leak, so most staff have to park across a busy street in a shopping plaza! With all of this going on, we pulled through and made it because of our wonderful staff. I am so thankful for co-workers who are willing to pitch in and get the job done. I am proud to be your Hospital Manager, and even more proud of the wonderful people you are. I know I am often busy too, but believe me when I say your hard work does not go unnoticed. Your dedication is to be admired. Thank you to my work team so much for all you do, every single day."

Lee Palmer from Linwood Animal Hospital, Lowell, Massachusetts, wants to recognize the staff of Countryside Animal Hospital in Chelmsford, Massachusetts: "We at Linwood Animal Hospital would like to thank our sister hospital, Countryside Veterinary Hospital for rearranging their Friday schedule to provide emergency surgery for one of our clients! Alfie, a 2-year-old neutered male kitty, was at our hospital for over a week for a persistent urinary blockage. He desperately needed a PU surgery. After hearing of his struggle, the team at Countryside was not hesitant to help a patient in dire need.  Practice Manager Aimee Powers and her attitude was instrumental in clearing Dr. Julie Kopser’s schedule and making special arrangements to get this surgery done for Alfie and his owners. Alfie is feeling so much better and is back to his mischievous self!  Alfie, his owner, and the staff of Linwood Animal Hospital owe a huge THANKS to Aimee Powers, Dr. Julie Kopser, Mary Thresher, and the entire support staff at Countryside Veterinary Hospital. They were amazing!"

Sean Sornsin from the OPS team wants to recognize Elita and the Team at Chesapeake AH in Owings, Maryland: "Kudos to this team for all their efforts over the last year at CAH.  They continue to serve the community and all its pets, even with the barrier they face every day.  It's been a real challenge for them, not only with the Covid barriers but having a severe DVM shortage to meet the needs of the community.  Yet, every day they show up, work SO HARD, and treat the pets and clients with a tremendous amount of care, class, positivity, and empathy.   Truly amazing work by this team and their leader.  Thanks for all you are doing Team Chesapeake!!"

Sean also wants to recognize Jenny Driscoll and Kristyn Hubbard of Central Support: "Frankly, they just CRUSH IT every week with their Central Support for our new acquisitions!  They maintain an amazing pace each week with the constant flow of new partners.  It's so much work and requires a lot of attention to detail, not to mention the enormous amount of questions and troubleshooting in the days leading up to and the days after each new partnership.  They are on the ball with their support, so patient with the questions and so efficient in their problem solving for the OPS support team and the new VetCor leaders at the local level.  Thanks, Jenny and Kristyn!"

Lastly, Sean wants to recognize Sarah Crispin, Central Support: "What would VetCor do without Sarah Crispin?!?!  Thanks for all you do Sarah.  We all appreciate you and your efforts!!!!"

Danielle Lopes from Tiogue Veterinary Clinic, Coventry, Rhode Island, wants to recognize Tiogue Veterinary Clinic Team: "My team here at Tiogue Veterinary clinic has been amazing! They have allowed me to navigate being a new manager, and they are rocking it through a lot of staffing changes! I couldn't ask for a more fantastic team! They deserve the world and so much more!"

Carina Chalfant from Fisherville Animal Hospital, Concord, New Hampshire, wants to recognize Lindsey Noyes, CSR: "I would like to recognize Lindsey for always taking two steps forward. She started working here at the beginning of the pandemic with no background in veterinary medicine. I didn't even know what she looked like under the mask. She took every learning experience in stride and is our only receptionist ( with help from all the staff) so she has a hard job of always being front and center with our clients. We all know that the pandemic has changed some of the behaviors of people and not for the better. She is an essential asset to the team and one important piece that makes us all whole. Thank you Lindsey for what you do!"

Mandi Johnson from Animal Emergency Clinic of the High Country, Boone, North Carolina, wants to recognize her whole staff at Animal Emergency Clinic: "I am so thankful for my staff as a whole, they are an amazing crew! They work together and get everything done no matter what. They are always there for each other. Plain and simple they are AMAZING!"

Mariah Hunt from Bethany Centennial Animal Hospital, Ellicott City, Maryland, wants to recognize Vivian Dickinson, Receptionist: "In the 5 months she has been here, not only has the front desk almost completely under control but can also jump in the back with the technicians to take X-rays, draw blood and vaccines and do appointments when we are short-staffed. We are so lucky and happy to have her on the team!"

Cesar Molina from the OPS team wants to recognize Steve Dougherty, HM at Madera Veterinary Center: "Steve is an excellent manager; he is very forward-thinking and recognizes opportunities to become efficient. He continues to create new solutions as the veterinary space evolves. I am glad to have Steve as part of my team, not just to steal some of his creative ideas but he is great to work with as well!"

Wanda Denslow from Ocoee Animal Hospital, Blue Ridge, Georgia, wants to recognize Kat Nicolella, Receptionist: "This girl has the best, most positive attitude no matter what's going on in the office. She is pleasant, kind, caring, and genuinely a good person! We love having her as one of the "faces of Ocoee" where the clients are made to feel welcome and safe!"

Dr. Joleen Mihalic, COS from Pleasant Hills Pet Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, wants to recognize Amy Obusek, HM: "We recently had a Covid-19 outbreak at the hospital involving 2 CCS, one tech, and one Dr (myself). Amy stayed to fill in for the CCS position, helped reschedule appts, make calls, and basically did all duties throughout the hospital, all while navigating through a power outage, interviews, and all of the other day-to-day normal activities. she is a one-woman powerhouse!!"

LeAnne Charles from Mars Hill Animal Hospital, Bogart, Georgia, wants to recognize the receptionist team: "They are very hardworking and deserve recognition for all they do."

Alannah Labesky from Regional Manager, Erie, PA, wants to recognize Kellie Wilkinson, Hospital Manager: "PHOW experienced some big changes recently, but Kellie jumped right in to help! Kellie, you are so focused and driven and I am so thankful that PHOW has you as their HM.  Thank you for all you have done and continue to do!"

Dr. Chad Harris, DVM, VP Veterinary Leadership,  wants to recognize Dr. Susan Burkhart, COS at Animal Medical Center of Ontario in Mansfield, Ohio: "Dr. Burkhart helped arrange a group of people, mostly VetCor employees, to go on a veterinary based mission trip to Turks and Caicos.  We had a very emotional, powerful, and fulfilling week where we were able to help well over 300 dogs and cats receive top-notch veterinary care.  In turn, the group became another family of sorts.  Susan, thank you so much.  You have a heart of gold!"

Dr. Holly Woltz, COS from Veterinary Services of Aiken, Aiken, South Carolina, wants to recognize Ashton, Lisa, Emily, Bree, Elizabeth and Heaven!: "It would take a book for me to tell you why these folks (and EVERYONE on my team) are so special. We know these are difficult times - so many pets to help, so little staff and time, so many stressors and built-up anger. These folks are cool, calm, collected and loving. Thanks you ALL!"

Sherry Thompson from County Line Animal Hospital, Ontario, New York, wants to recognize Lisa Tunley, CCS: "Lisa has been such a positive presence here. She always has a big smile on her face, and she is a joy for clients to interact with. I really enjoy working with Lisa!"

Dava Hunt from Cozy Cat Veterinary Hospital, Raleigh, North Carolina, wants to recognize Katie Boone, Vet Assistant: "Katie is hard working and has taken on more responsibility.  She has taken over the food inventory and ordering which is a feat in itself.   She has taken it upon herself to reorganize and label all the food so easier to order and find. She is one of a kind."

Patricia Joyner from Calling All Creatures, Toms River, New Jersey, wants to recognize Christine Kahovec, Technician: "Christine has been the lead technician at our practice. She has worked here for over 10 years. As a new HM, she has been extremely helpful with helping me get settled. She is always willing to help and support the team and COS. She is an asset to the hospital."

Emily Willis from Animal Hospital at the Crossing, Champaign, Illinois, wants to recognize Lucy Smith, HM of Creve Coeur Animal Hospital, and the whole CCAH Team: "Thank you to Lucy and her team at Creve Coeur for hosting me in April as a visiting HM. I had the opportunity to shadow Lucy and learn how they do everything from running appointments to scheduling to cleaning. Everyone was welcoming and willing to answer my many questions and I can't thank them enough for the valuable knowledge I was able to take away from the experience. Y'all rock!"

Christine Coe from Tanneberger Veterinary Hospital, St. Albans, Vermont, wants to recognize Nicole Curler, HM: "Nicole has stepped up to help cover at a sister hospital during some challenging times while still managing her home hospital. I appreciate her focus, attention to detail, and the level of commitment that she brings to the table each day."

Michelle Skinner from Crofton Veterinary Center, Crofton, Maryland, wants to recognize The entire crew of vets and the support team: "The last week of April/first week of May was challenging - we had a COVID outbreak in the clinic (half of the Dr's and HM were ill), a Dr on vacation for a few days, and another Dr with a jury duty notice for a week. The team really pulled together to continue to provide optimal care for patients and each other. The team flexibility when it came to constant schedule rearranging those 2 weeks was the best/least grumbling I have ever witnessed in my 18 years in vet med. (I didn't hear anyone gripe - they all pitched in) I'm very proud of everyone!"

Ashley Willis from Basin Run Animal Hospital, Colora, Maryland, wants to recognize the entire team at Basin Run: "I would like to thank my team for pulling together and getting things covered and taken care of at the clinic while I was out on quarantine.  I truly appreciate how they all stepped up and covered shifts so that our clients and patients were still cared for.  I was able to care for myself and my sick kiddos without worrying about things falling apart at the office because I have an amazing team!  Thank you!"

Jennifer Perry from Rae-Zor Grooming Boarding and Daycare, Sanford, North Carolina, wants to recognize Teri Francis-Calcutt, Reception: "Teri is our front desk receptionist better known as the "Spokesperson of RAE-ZOR"!  Her professionalism and customer care are unmatched. Teri is an inspiration to us all showing every person and animal kindness.  Kindness is the title of her life and demonstrates it every day to everyone she encounters.  Thank you Ms. Teri for being a person we can all look up to and count on!  Teri is an advocate for all animals, but her heart and soul is with feral cats.  She gives a voice to those that are misunderstood and are in need."

Dr. Margaret Connelly, COS from Willard Veterinary Clinic, Quincy, Massachusetts, wants to recognize Dr. Jamie McVicker, COS: "Jamie is recently been made the COS with us and as first order of business is moving to changing our culture to be more positive and making our lives better overall."

Dr. Denise Kurtz, COS from Finger Lakes Animal Hospital, Canandaigua, New York, wants to recognize the entire team at FLAH: "Once again, I'm in awe and so thankful for the team I work with at Finger Lakes Animal Hospital. The past month has been very rough with many MANY team members being sick and absent from work. However, we continue to work together and support each other during these tough times. I see how hard they work and it does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Brittany, our office manager, is working diligently to re-arrange the staff's schedule to accommodate the ever-changing staff absences, making sure each and every shift is covered. Brittany is also stepping in to work hours as a kennel attendant, and receptionist - all while still performing her hospital manager duties. I am also thankful for Danielle who is flexible and kind to step in and cover any shift thrown at her - I see her working hard to cover kennel attendant duties as well as receptionist duties and surgery assistant duties. My technicians are a fantastic crew of hard working women that work exceptionally well together and they are always ready to help out in every way possible. Angela, Stacy C., Jordan, and Mik are simply THE BEST and I know I can count on them for support even when we are very short staffed. Lindsey, Stacey R., and Mariah have also taken on extra shifts to make sure our patients continue to have the best care. I know I can also count on Dr. Emilia Monachino, Emma, Lexi, Kayleigh, Camry, Ashley, and Bri to continue to bring a positive attitude to work on a daily basis and are always ready to support our team with whatever they need: whether it is working crazy hours, being flexible with the changing schedule, or dealing with extra crazy clients. Thank you!!!"

Dr. Kathi Gruss, COS from Earlysville Animal Hospital, Earlysville, Virginia, wants to recognize Kelley Shifflett, HM: "Kelley is such a great person and we are lucky she is our Hospital Manager. She is always there for all of us here at Earlysville, professionally and personally. She cares about each member of our staff as a person, not just an employee. She goes above and beyond every day. She takes great care of the animal hospital, co-workers, clients and their pets. Thank you Kelley! We couldn't get through the day without you."

Allyson Mihalko from High Plains Veterinary Hospital, Colorado Springs, Colorado, wants to recognize Megan Brown, CVT: "I want to thank Megan for being an awesome technician and always being such a strong contributor to our team's success!!  She demonstrates a very strong technical knowledge, and she cares deeply about all of her patients.  She always goes above and beyond what is expected of her!  Megan is a HUGE asset to High Plains Veterinary Hospital!  We are so lucky to have her!"

Dr. Michelle Immel, COS from We Care Animal Hospital, Clintonville, Wisconsin, wants to recognize Callie Bricco, Reception: "Callie has blossomed in her reception roles and is really present mentally. This helps our clients get help and answers much more effectively and efficiently. I am excited to see her continue to grow with our continuously changing clinic."