St. Bethlehem Animal Clinic
Out of school I got my first job as a full time veterinarian at St. Bethlehem Animal Clinic in Clarksville, Tennessee. It is primarily a small animal clinic with some exotic species as well. With a population of 150,000 people and a military base, there is a large client base. This allows a large case load for each veterinarian. As a new graduate the larger case load allowed me to grow and gain confidence at a faster pace. I have seen many cases that I had only studied previously. One benefit to a multiple doctor practice is having someone to discuss cases and bounce ideas around with. I find myself frequently going to the literature and researching new diagnostics and treatment options available. In my first 6 months of practice I took every opportunity for CE courses including topics over internal medicine, ophthalmology, and parasite control. I shared after hours emergency work that required me to make quick decisions and to trust my training.
It is said that there are many lessons to be learned in your first year of practice and I am humbled and grateful to all those who helped prepare me for my adventure into this profession. They taught me there is always a right and wrong way to handle any situation, you will make mistakes, always assume responsibility, and to remain humble in your success. By relying on those fundamentals I have been able to navigate tough situations as they arose and truly appreciate the little victories of every day. It is a blessing and a privilege to work in this profession and I cherish every day and every case, even the ones that do not work out the way I want. For those are the days that make me better as a person and as a veterinarian.