COS 75: More Pets, Less Vets - The Vet Shortage and What We Can Do

This week on the Cone…. Dr. Andy Roark and Dr. Bob Lester sit down to discuss our swollen caseload and the undersized pool of veterinarians trying to see it. How did we get here? And more importantly, how do we get out? Links: More Pets, Less Vets Original Article: https://vet-advantage.com/vet_advantage/more-pets-less-vets-veterinary-professional-shortage/?fbclid=IwAR1imz5oFDLqpqnhwuc2AeOK4CCHQ4WgXaR27FtQbQ3ZEb7BTkzPhGKEWW8 Uncharted April Conference: https://unchartedvet.com/uvvc2021/ ABOUT OUR GUEST: Dr. Bob Lester Chief Medical Officer Member Board of Directors WellHaven Pet Health Dr. Lester remainsas passionate about the veterinary profession as the day he entered veterinary school (sometime last century). He is a firm believer in the veterinaryprofession's double bottom line proposition of doing well by doing good. Dr. Lester is a graduate of Oregon State and Washington State University’s College ofVeterinary Medicine and completed the American Association of VeterinaryMedical Colleges Leadership Academy. He spent his early career as a small-town mixed animal practice owner before joining the founding leadership team at Banfield Pet Hospitals. At Banfield, he held positions in medicine, operations, franchising, human resources, and professional relations.After a rewarding career at Banfield/Mars Inc., he left as Vice President ofProfessional Relations to help found the Lincoln Memorial University College ofVeterinary Medicine where he served as Assistant Dean. Dr. Lester’s LMU-CVM team pioneered a novel community-based clinical education program and developed the professional skills curriculum including instruction in communication,leadership, teamwork, and practice management. Bob is now a co-founder, Chief Medical Officer, and member of the Board of Directors forWellHaven Pet Health, a family of companion animal practices that believes incaring for the caregivers so that they can care for others. WellHaven PetHospitals are both new build full-service AAHA/Fear Free hospitals, acquired and joint venture affiliate practices. Bob was a two-time gubernatorial appointee and Chair of the Oregon Veterinary Medical ExaminingBoard. He was the state delegate to the American Association of VeterinaryState Boards. He served as a site team member for the AVMA Council onEducation, and on the Job Analysis Task Force for the International Council forVeterinary Assessment. Dr. Lester authors the column “Creative Disruption” forToday’s Veterinary Business. In addition to his board position at WellHaven Pet Health, he serves as a board member and Treasurer of Pet Peace of Mind a non-profit which keeps hospice patients together with their pets through the end of life. He also serves as VicePresident of the board of the North American Veterinary Community, and on the advisory boards of easyvetclinic, Pet Desk, AirVet, and the LMU College ofVeterinary Medicine. Dr. Lester’s interests include all things veterinary, writing, start-ups, speaking, business and leadership development, the human-animal bond, and giving back to the profession that has done so much for him and others. His family includes his wife Crystal, two amazing daughters McKenzie and Paige, and two rescue Yorkie’sJessie and Woody.