Scrub Chat

Liza Rudolph is a veterinary technician with specializations in canine and feline clinical practice, and small animal internal medicine. She's also the Veterinary Technician Program Director for Rowan College and is credentialed in six states. She knows the power of career building and her professional journey proves just how important networking is to career building. … Continue reading “Watch the Lightbulbs Turn On!” – Liza Rudolph, RVT, VTS →

Meg Harrington loves all things cattle.  Listen as “The Cattle Vet Tech,' discusses her experience of charting a wildly successful and fulfilling career in bovine veterinary medicine, herd health, and veterinary technician education.  

Dr. Valerie Marcano is a trailblazer. She embodies the spirit of the famous quote “it is true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.” Boarded in poultry medicine, Dr. Marcano launched her own firm offering consultations in both poultry health and DEIB.  She also co-founded Pawsibilities Vet Med as a … Continue reading “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and … Chickens!” – Dr. Valerie Marcano, DVM, Ph.D. →

Nicki Castagna's career is proof positive that there are no limits on where vet techs can take their career.  A Registered Veterinary Technician in Maryland, she has worked in general practice, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, cardiology, wildlife, exotics, aquarium medicine and now as a Senior Lab Coordinator at Johns Hopkins University. And she's … Continue reading “How Can I Turn This into My Advantage?” – Nicki Castagna, RVT →

Joe DeFulio's experience as a veterinary technician is a testament to just how many professional pathways exist for technicians beyond the hospital. Listen as he talks about his journey which includes working in Emergency and Critical Care medicine and hospital management, and a well-timed pivot that led to a fulfilling career in leadership.

Dr. Morgan McArthur knows the power of a good story. After joining Toastmasters International to improve his communications skills years ago, he transitioned from being a veterinarian who speaks to a speaker who is a veterinarian. This highly engaging episode will make you smile, and as a bonus, you'll even find out what happened when … Continue reading “Words Can Be Rocket Fuel or Fire Retardants” – Dr. Morgan McArthur, DVM →

Host Kim Farina and Producer Garnetta Santiago preview Season 7 of Scrub Chat! A new season of personal stories by veterinary professionals for veterinary professionals. Join us for another season of incredible guests sharing insights from their journeys in the veterinary profession. Guests: Dr. Morgan McArthur, DVM Joe DeFulio, CVT Nicki Castagna, RVT Dr. Valerie … Continue reading Scrub Chat Season 7 Premiere! →

You can't help feeling hopeful after listening to Dr. Hidayah Martínez-Jaka's story. A recent graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and Immediate Past-President of the National Student American Veterinary Medical Association, she is a shining star in the veterinary profession! Although she didn't set out to be a leader, she found power in … Continue reading You're a Leader Even When You're a Follower – Dr. Hidayah Martínez-Jaka, DVM →

Lasha Hicks knows what she wants and is fearless in the pursuit of her goals. She's a third-year veterinary student in the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, President of the Class of 2024, and President of the Tuskegee Chapter of SAVMA.  She knows that having the courage to step out of her comfort zone … Continue reading You'll Get “No's”, But Your “Yes” Will Come – Lasha Hicks →

Melody Martínez is an Oregon-based Certified Veterinary Technician who found herself at an inflection point in her career several years ago.  She pivoted from working in clinical practice to establish her own consulting company focused on helping organizations formulate and advance their DEI efforts. Listen as she talks about the importance of reframed skill sets … Continue reading A Pivot is a Break, Not a Divorce – Melody Martinez, CVT →

Elizabeth Martínez-Podolsky is the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and is completing a doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration. In this episode, she talks about creating new pathways to advance DEI, building community and safe spaces to create networks of support, and the importance of expanding … Continue reading It's Time to Take Up the Space We Deserve – Elizabeth Martinez-Podolsky →

Host Kim Farina and Producer Garnetta Santiago preview Season 6 of Scrub Chat! A new season of personal stories by veterinary professionals for veterinary professionals. Join us for another season of incredible guests sharing insights from their journeys in the veterinary profession. Guests: Dr. Hidayah Martínez-Jaka, DVM Lasha Hicks Melody Martínez, CVT Elizabeth Martínez-Podolsky

Meet Dr. Tierra Price! This trailblazing graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2020 founded and launched the Black DVM Network, a highly successful professional network and community for African American veterinary professionals. Her story is truly inspirational – listen here!

Shaelyn St. Onge-Cole, a California-based Registered Veterinary Technician, is helping to shape the pipeline of future veterinary technicians as an instructor at Foothill College. As an African American and Native American woman navigating the profession, her narrative of finding and owning her own voice; and blazing a trail of opportunity for the legions of students … Continue reading I Fight Harder For My Students Than For Myself – Shaelyn St. Onge-Cole, RVT →

Graduating veterinary school is life-altering on its own. Now image completing your fourth year of school, graduating and joining clinical practice in the middle of a global pandemic. That’s part of Dr. Kyle Granger’s story. Hear this 2020 graduate of the University of Wisconsin College of Veterinary Medicine talk about his experiences transitioning into practice … Continue reading Adaptability, Resiliency and Flexibility – Dr. Kyle Granger, Jr, DVM →

Dr. Seth Andrews is a Scrub Chat™ unicorn. He’s not a veterinary professional, but he is a co-founder of Pawsibilities Vet Med, a mentoring platform to expand representation in the veterinary profession. Learn more about the motivation behind Seth’s work in helping change the face of veterinary medicine.

An Advocate’s Advocate; that’s who Liz Hughston, a California-based Registered Veterinary Technician is. In this episode, she takes us through her storied career as a technician specialist in emergency and critical care and internal medicine, the emotional side of life as an ICU technician, and her unyielding dedication to, and passion for moving the veterinary … Continue reading The Advocate’s Advocate – Liz Hughston, Med., RVT, CVT, LVT VTS (SAIM, ECC) →

Kendra Dostaler, a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Washington State has an entrepreneurial spirit that has propelled her career in exciting and unconventional directions. In this episode, she talks about her personal experiences, what producing her successful podcast series has taught her about the value of being your own boss and how Grey’s Anatomy played a … Continue reading It All Started with Grey’s Anatomy – Kendra Dostaler, LVT →

Host Kim Farina and Producer Garnetta Santiago preview Season 5 of Scrub Chat! A new season of personal stories by veterinary professionals for veterinary professionals. Join us for another season of incredible guests sharing insights from their journeys in the veterinary profession. Guests: Kendra Dostaler, LVT Liz Hughston, Med., RVT, CVT, LVT VTS (SAIM, ECC) … Continue reading Scrub Chat Season 5 Trailer →

Representation matters and Dr. Christina “Tina” Tran has worked tirelessly to elevate and ensure that voices of underrepresented individuals in the veterinary profession are heard. A first-generation Filipino-American, Tina is Associate Professor of Clinical Relations at University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine and President of the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association and uses her platforms … Continue reading “You Deserve to Be In This Room Like Everyone Else” – Dr. Christina Tran →

Meet Alyssa Mages, a Pennyslvania-based Certified Veterinary Technician and Chief Visionary Officer of Empowering Veterinary Teams. She knows the power of reinvention and reimagining her role as a veterinary technician, and shares what she’s learned about risk taking and staring down fear.  Listen as she shares her experiences of defining and owning her professional journey … Continue reading “Own Your Awesomeness” – Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT →

No one likes feeling vulnerable, but in this episode Erin Henninger, a Certified Veterinary Technician and Executive Director of the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians explains the power and value in allowing yourself to be vulnerable. Listen as she discusses how learning to embrace it and encouraging others to share theirs creates stronger bonds, … Continue reading “There’s Room for ‘We’ and ‘Me’” – Erin Henninger, CVT, VTS (ECC) →

Dr. Sandra San Miguel is literally a cape-wearing trailblazer. Her story weaves from being a first-generation college student to becoming a boarded specialist in swine medicine, Associate Dean for Engagement at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and creator of the League of VetaHumanz, a veterinary superhero group (yes, you read that correctly!)  Listen as … Continue reading “Get Out of the Box, Take the Parts and Build Something Different!” – Dr. Sandra San Miguel →

Joe D’Abbraccio is a New York State DVM, practice owner and powerhouse who lives by the guiding principle of always ‘keeping life spicy.’  Joe’s non-linear professional pathway through veterinary medicine is fascinating!  In this spirited interview, he guides us through his journey from licensed veterinary technician to veterinarian and explains how taking the road less … Continue reading “Take Your Medicine and Just Do It!” – Dr. Joe D’Abbraccio, DVM →

Chance encounters and accidental conversations often lead to big opportunities.  That certainly is true for Paige Allen, an Indiana-based Registered Veterinary Technician whose professional journey has been filled with career altering adventures, including recently becoming only the second veterinary technician ever to serve as President of the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) Board of Directors.  … Continue reading “Accidental Conversations Got Me Where I am Today” – Paige Allen, MS, RVT →

Host Kim Farina and Producer Garnetta Santiago preview Season 4 of Scrub Chat! A new season of personal stories by veterinary professionals for veterinary professionals. Join us for another season of incredible guests sharing insights from their journeys in the veterinary profession.  

Dr. Cara Horowitz has a lot going on – she’s a boarded veterinary internist working in specialty practice, and a busy mother of two young children.  In this episode, she speaks candidly about her journey overcoming early career imposter syndrome and feelings of working-mother guilt to create a balance between family life and a veterinary … Continue reading “Reach a State of Comfort.” – Dr. Cara Horowitz, DVM →

Imagine a 26-year career journey that has included herd health management, working with the USDA to stem the spread of Exotic Newcastle disease, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Tuberculosis and other foreign animal diseases, serving as a Federal Service Tribal Liaison working with Native American tribes in New York State, and teaching veterinary technician students at Medaille … Continue reading “Be Brave Enough to Be Bad At It.” – Tara Woyton, MS, LVT, CVT →

Dr. Venaya Jones is a pioneer. As the first women of color to own a veterinary practice in Cleveland, Ohio, she persevered through financial roadblocks, cultural barriers, and fear to achieve her dream.  In this episode she explains how she navigated the balancing act of being a veterinary student at Western University with two children, … Continue reading “When You Keep Saying It, It Becomes Reality.” – Dr. Venaya Jones, DVM →

Melanie Hollis, a licensed veterinary technician in Texas, grew up in South Central Los Angeles and didn’t own a pet until age 15. Despite not having early exposure to veterinary medicine, her love of animals and their care propelled her to a career that has included companion animal and equine experience, veterinary technician education, and … Continue reading “Find What Feeds Your Soul.” – Melanie Hollis, LVT →

Meet Dr. Carla Gartrell, a board-certified veterinary internist, licensed attorney, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine in Glendale, Arizona.  She shares words of wisdom about the how the importance of intention and always looking forward to the next adventure were integral to making her Plan A work.

David Sessum is a trailblazer in the veterinary profession. He’s an Associate Professor in the Veterinary Technician Program at Lone Star College in Tomball, Texas, serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, and is an ardent champion of veterinary technician utilization. Listen as … Continue reading “Life is Like a Raffle – You Must Be Present to Win.” David Sessum, LVT →

Welcome to Scrub Chat Season 3! Producer Garnetta Santiago, and Host Kim Farina tell us what’s in store for Season 3 of Scrub Chat. Guests this season include: David Sessum, LVT Dr. Carla Gartrell, DVM, DACVIM, JD Melanie Hollis, LVT Dr. Venaya Jones, DVM Tara Woyton, MS, LVT, CVT Dr. Cara Horowitz, DVM Get ready … Continue reading Scrub Chat Season 3 Trailer! →

In this episode, Dr. Deb Landis, discusses her career path and how she manages work- life balance. Dr. Landis started her career as a bovine veterinarian, currently owns her small ruminant practice, Landis Veterinary Service, and does small animal relief work. She has successfully learned the best strategies for managing her veterinary career practicing the … Continue reading Do What Works For Your Life →

Professional opportunities for veterinary technicians are endless, and the experiences of Melissa Supernor, a Massachusetts and Connecticut Certified Veterinary Technician, prove that to be true. Listen as she discusses her journey from obtaining her Veterinary Technician specialization in Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2008, creating her own consultancy company in 2009 and serving in technician … Continue reading A Technician’s Story of Bullies, Burnout and Bliss →

Dr. Quincy Hawley is the co-founder of Get MotiVETed, a company that provides wellbeing solutions for all members of the veterinary community.  Dr. Hawley is passionate about improving leadership, wellbeing, and diversity in the veterinary profession.  In this episode, you will learn why he focuses on those areas and what he has done to enhance … Continue reading Get Started Fast and Fail Early →

Meet Deborah Reeder, a Texas-based Registered Veterinary Technician who transitioned from a 10-year career as a flight attendant to a successful career as an equine veterinary technician. Deb’s experiences reflect insights and life lessons she’s garnered during her more than 30 years serving in veterinary medicine, including working in equine rehabilitation, anesthesia and intensive care; … Continue reading Be the Astronaut of Your Own Life →

Learn how your veterinary career can have many twists and turns from Dr. Omar Farías. Dr. Farías progressed from working as an associate veterinarian in Philadelphia, to owning a veterinary practice to enjoying a career in the veterinary industry with Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Along the way he learned how to overcome new challenges and developed … Continue reading Your Career Does Not Have to be Linear →

If you are a veterinary technician and interested in learning more about specialty medicine and career growth, listen to our chat with Ms. Deb Blades.  Ms. Blades is a certified veterinary technician and the practice manager of Blue Pearl VSEC in Levittown, PA. Ms. Blades shares interesting stories about her career to take us on … Continue reading More Positive Polly, Less Negative Nancy →

Ms. Charlotte Waack is a certified and registered veterinary technician and is the director of VSPN. Our chat with Ms. Waack explores the importance of well-being for a veterinary technician. Listen about her career choices, networking ability, and life advice.

Chat with a veterinarian who is a true entrepreneur, Dr Apryl Horbal. Learn more about how she is president of a telemedicine business, VetNOW. Dr. Horbal is also an equine dentist and provides insight into equine practice and veterinary dentistry. Discussions about financial wellbeing and debt are highlighted in this conversation.

Dr. Kate Harnish is a practice owner of Anthracite Animal Clinic, leader in organized veterinary medicine, mother, wife and pillar of her community. She chats about how she balances all these accomplishments. Dr. Harnish poignantly explains how a mentor influenced her career and path to ownership. Learn about she builds a happy, thriving practice and gives back to … Continue reading Be Better, Not Perfect →

Learn the art of a successful career in veterinary medicine from Dr. Christine Jenkins. Dr. Jenkins is extremely accomplished and is boarded in internal medicine and serves at the Chief Medical Officer at Zoetis. Her interests in increasing diversity within the profession and developing young leaders via mentorship come across in this chat.

We chat with Ms. Garnetta Santiago. Ms. Santiago is a licensed veterinary technician and Manager of Academic and Professional Affairs for Zoetis. Learn how she followed her passion to become a veterinary technician from a very different early career. Then we will follow Ms. Santiago’s career path from traditional veterinary technician roles, to academia to … Continue reading Be Afraid and Do it Anyway →