Veterinary Podcast Archives

VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | Nonprofit free veterinary resources | Blog | Veterinary Pulse Podcast | Veterinary Pulse Podcast with Dr. Bree Montana dives deep on preventing burnout and compassion fatigue

Dr. Bree Montana dives deep on preventing burnout and compassion fatigue

Leave a Comment / Inhale/Exhale, Veterinary Pulse Podcast / By vinfoundation

Listen in as we chat with VIN Foundation Vets4Vets® team lead Dr. Bree Montana as part of our Inhale, Exhale Series and this time were talking about preventing burnout and compassion fatigue

In this episode we have six major topics we’re addressing:

Identifying burnout and compassion fatigue
Understanding the cause
Task switching
How to handle feelings of losing the joy and fulfilment of vet med
The importance of team culture
How to get support

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Bree Montana, DVM, CCFP
Bree Montana, DVM, CCFP, is a small animal practitioner and Founder of the Agate Bay Animal Hospital and Dog Gone Crazy boarding/training facilities in North Lake Tahoe California. Following the completion of a B.S. in Biology at the University of Cincinnati’s McMicken College, Dr. Montana graduated from the Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1992. A past member of the external advisory and admissions committees for UC Davis’ College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Montana also served as a working member of the VIN Foundation Board. In 2010, Dr. Montana helped to create the VIN Foundation’s innovative Vets4Vets® program, a confidential support group providing critical emotional care to veterinarians struggling with all forms of stress/addiction/mental health issues. The program is international and free for all veterinarians and veterinary students. Learning to balance the life of a rural solo practitioner, mom, wife, husky wrangler and aspiring dressage queen while coordinating the Vets4Vets® program has allowed Dr. Montana to become an expert at thinking outside of the box when advising veterinarians who feel stuck in their careers and personal lives. Dr. Montana enjoys lecturing on topics at the intersection of personal and professional life balance, including strategies for a healthy mentoring relationship, job seekers’ success techniques, effective communication in the workplace, as well as teaching the workplace ergonomics section of The Other Side of Veterinary Medicine: Healthy Clinicians Make Better Practitioners (a RACE approved course).

LINKS AND INFORMATION:
VIN Foundation Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/v4v
VIN Foundation Veterinary Pulse Podcast Future’s So Bright Series: https://vinfoundation.org/category/futures-so-bright/
VIN Foundation get updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
VIN Foundation GIVE page to support these programs & tools: https://vinfoundation.org/give
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Bree Montana dives deep on preventing burnout and compassion fatigue Read More »

VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | free resources veterinary students veterinarians | Blog | Veterinary Pulse Podcast | Veterinary Pulse Podcast with Dr. Tony Bartels

Dr. Tony Bartels on the latest student loan news as we start 2026

Listen in with student debt expert Dr. Tony Bartels in this next installment of our Student Debt Series covering the latest news and information on student loans.

In this episode we have seven major topics we’re addressing:

Removal of the IBR (Income Based Repayment) Partial Financial Hardship test
SAVE ending soon?
WikiDebt: What is your IDR (Income Driven Repayment) profile?
Good time to review student loan options
Preparing for more changes this year
How to get help

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.

GUEST BIO:

LINKS AND INFORMATION:
Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details — VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans
Loan Repayment Simulator: https://vinfoundation.org/loansim
VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt
VIN Foundation Webinars: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/webinars/
VIN Foundation Get Updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
VIN Foundation GIVE page to support this podcast: https://vinfoundation.org/give
VIN Foundation Blog, Related Student Debt Blog posts:

2025 Year End Wrap & Preparing for 2026: https://vinfoundation.org/federal-student-loan-repayment-2025-year-end-wrap-and-preparing-for-2026/
2026 Federal Poverty Rates Published: https://vinfoundation.org/2026-federal-poverty-rates-published-why-that-matters-for-your-student-loans/
40 veterinary school simulations in 60 days project: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-student-debt/40-veterinary-school-loan-estimations-in-60-days/
Changes to federal student loans come into focus: https://vinfoundation.org/changes-federal-student-loans-come-into-focus/
Student Loan Repayment: Trying to leave the SAVE forbearance? Choose PAYE: https://vinfoundation.org/student-loan-repayment-trying-to-leave-the-save-forbearance-choose-paye/
Student Loans in SAVE Plan Will Start Accruing Interest August 1st: https://vinfoundation.org/student-loans-in-save-plan-will-start-accruing-interest-august-1st/
Application for Federal Income-Driven Repayment Plans Reactivated: https://vinfoundation.org/application-for-income-driven-repayment-plans-reactivated/

Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/
Income-Driven Repayment Plan Discretionary income calculations, WikiDebt: https://www.vin.com/studentdebtcenter/default.aspx?pid=14352&catId=74141&id=7249857
Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Applications: https://studentaid.gov/
One-time Forgiveness Count Adjustment https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment
Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
Email VIN Foundation: [email protected]
Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt.
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Tony Bartels on the latest student loan news as we start 2026 Read More »

VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | prevet resources veterinary student resources veterinarian resources | Nonprofit free veterinary resources | Blog | Veterinary Pulse Podcast Episode 153 | Dr. Marie Holowaychuk on how a childhood plan took a left turn and led to her passion for mental wellness

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk on how a childhood plan took a left turn and led to her passion for mental wellness

Leave a Comment / Inhale/Exhale, Veterinary Career Journeys, Veterinary Pulse Podcast / By vinfoundation

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk chats with VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan benShea about how growing up a child of veterinarians fueled her passion for the profession. From leaving her home country of Canada to practice in the US, and her vulnerable sharing about when she knew her dream job was no longer the right fit, Dr. Holowaychuk shares her story of finding a passion for mental wellness and helping colleagues.

*TRIGGER WARNING* Some of the content in this episode may include triggers for mental health topics. As a reminder, if you are a veterinary student or veterinarian, the VIN Foundation’s confidential peer-to-peer support group vets4vets® is here for you, at no cost, please know, you are not alone. Text (530) 601-2133 or visit the Vets4Vets® website to learn more at https://vinfoundation.org/v4v.

GUEST BIO:
Dr. Marie Holowaychuk
Dr. Marie Holowaychuk is a board-certified small animal emergency and critical care specialist and passionate advocate for veterinary team wellbeing. As a yoga and meditation teacher and wellness coach, she facilitates workshops and retreats for veterinary clinics and organizations and offers individual and group coaching and online programs for veterinary team members. She recently launched a new website (www.revivingvetmed.com) containing wellness resources for veterinary professionals and is the host of the Reviving Vet Med podcast, which offers practical tools and easily applicable tips for burnout prevention and workplace wellbeing.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:
VIN Foundation Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/v4v
Dr. Sophia Yin Memorial Fund: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/dr-sophia-yin-memorial-fund/
Dr. Marie Holowachuk website: https://marieholowaychuk.com/

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk on how a childhood plan took a left turn and led to her passion for mental wellness Read More »

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on big changes to student loans with latest news and updates

Leave a Comment / Veterinary Pulse Podcast, Veterinary Student Debt Podcast / By vinfoundation

Listen in as student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels and the newest student debt team member Dr. Rebecca Mears chat with Executive Director Jordan benShea in this next installment of our Student Debt Series.

In this episode we cover the following nine topics:
Latest announcement on Jan 10th
Phasing out of ICR and PAYE repayment plans
Is this a different way of doing things?
Where can a borrower see what repayment plan they are enrolled in currently?
A ‘new’ income driven repayment plan?
What is Re-REPAYE?
‘New’ plan added to Student Loan Repayment Simulator
Are there other changes happening?
What should colleagues do now?

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Tony Bartels
Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.

Dr. Rebecca Mears
Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, where she completed her BS at University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, she served as the National Business Certificate Director for the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) and as a board member for Vets for Pets and People. During this time she took an active role in wellbeing awareness and access within the veterinary community. Rebecca then worked as an equine general practitioner and is an active AAEP member. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found hiking, baking, and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students.

VIN Foundation Blog Recent Student Debt Blog posts:
A ‘new’ income-driven repayment plan?: https://vinfoundation.org/a-new-income-driven-repayment-plan/
Common Student Loan Consolidation Questions and Answers: https://vinfoundation.org/fed-student-loan-consolidation-faqs-questions-answers-considerations/
Class of 2020, 2021, 2022 Income-Driven Repayment Renewal Note: https://vinfoundation.org/class-2020-2021-2022-student-loan-renewal-note/
Special Cancellation of Up to $20,000 of Student Debt. Are You Eligible?: https://vinfoundation.org/special-cancellation-student-debt/
Got Federal Student Debt? You’re Now Closer to Forgiveness Than You Think: https://vinfoundation.org/got-federal-student-debt-youre-now-closer-to-forgiveness-than-you-think/
Student Loan Forgiveness Planning: Preparing for the Tax Bill: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-forgiveness-planning-preparing-for-the-tax-bill/
Student Loan Interest Rates Increase for 2022-2023 Academic Year: https://vinfoundation.org/student-loan-interest-rates-for-veterinary-school/
Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/
Repay Wiser:
https://vinfoundation.org/resources/repay-wiser-veterinary-school-debt-loan-repayment/
Borrow Better: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/borrow-better-veterinary-school-loan-debt/
New Grad Student Loan Repayment Playbook: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-new-grad-student-loan-repayment-playbook/
Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Application: https://studentaid.gov/
New Proposed Regulations Would Transform Income-Driven Repayment by Cutting Undergraduate Loan Payments in Half and Preventing Unpaid Interest Accumulation: https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/new-proposed-regulations-would-transform-income-driven-repayment-cutting-undergraduate-loan-payments-half-and-preventing-unpaid-interest-accumulation
Student Debt Relief Information: https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement/one-time-cancellation
Department of Education press release (Nov 2022): https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-continues-fight-student-debt-relief-millions-borrowers-extends-student-loan-repayment-pause
Department of Education press release (April 2022): https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-announces-actions-fix-longstanding-failures-student-loan-programs
One-time Forgiveness Count Adjustment https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment
Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Email VIN Foundation: [email protected]

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it! Reach out to [email protected].

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on big changes to student loans with latest news and updates Read More »

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on the latest student loan extension and what you need to know now

Leave a Comment / Veterinary Pulse Podcast, Veterinary Student Debt Podcast / By vinfoundation

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan benShea chats with student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels and the newest student debt team member Dr. Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series.

In this episode we’re covering the following six topics:
Latest news for current veterinary school students
How to help 2023 grads prepare for repayment
What pandemic grads, classes 2020, 2021 and 2022 should be doing
Helpful information for all other borrowers
The latest on the Student Debt Relief before the Supreme Court
Recertification and the important dates to be aware of now

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.

GUEST BIO:

LINKS AND INFORMATION:
VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details — VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans
VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt
VIN Foundation Webinars: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/webinars/
VIN Foundation Blog Recent Student Debt Blog posts:
Common Student Loan Consolidation Questions and Answers: https://vinfoundation.org/fed-student-loan-consolidation-faqs-questions-answers-considerations/
Class of 2020, 2021, 2022 Income-Driven Repayment Renewal Note: https://vinfoundation.org/class-2020-2021-2022-student-loan-renewal-note/
Special Cancellation of Up to $20,000 of Student Debt. Are You Eligible?: https://vinfoundation.org/special-cancellation-student-debt/
Got Federal Student Debt? You’re Now Closer to Forgiveness Than You Think: https://vinfoundation.org/got-federal-student-debt-youre-now-closer-to-forgiveness-than-you-think/
Student Loan Forgiveness Planning: Preparing for the Tax Bill: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-forgiveness-planning-preparing-for-the-tax-bill/
Student Loan Interest Rates Increase for 2022-2023 Academic Year: https://vinfoundation.org/student-loan-interest-rates-for-veterinary-school/
Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/
Repay Wiser:
https://vinfoundation.org/resources/repay-wiser-veterinary-school-debt-loan-repayment/
Borrow Better: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/borrow-better-veterinary-school-loan-debt/
New Grad Student Loan Repayment Playbook: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-new-grad-student-loan-repayment-playbook/
Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Application: https://studentaid.gov/
Student Debt Relief Information: https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement/one-time-cancellation
Department of Education press release (Nov 2022): https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-continues-fight-student-debt-relief-millions-borrowers-extends-student-loan-repayment-pause
Department of Education press release (April 2022): https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-announces-actions-fix-longstanding-failures-student-loan-programs
One-time Forgiveness Count Adjustment https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment
Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/

Email VIN Foundation: [email protected]
Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt.

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on the latest student loan extension and what you need to know now Read More »

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on the latest student loan news

Leave a Comment / Veterinary Pulse Podcast, Veterinary Student Debt Podcast, Veterinary Student Debt Relief / By vinfoundation

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan benShea chats with student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels and the newest student debt team member Dr. Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series.

In this episode we’re discussing the latest news of student loans and covering these four topics:
Student Debt Relief Application/Status
Consolidation – Should you? Why? When?
PSLF Limited Waiver
Bonus – upcoming changes

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Tony Bartels
Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.

Dr. Rebecca Mears
Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, where she completed her BS at University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, she served as the National Business Certificate Director for the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) and as a board member for Vets for Pets and People. During this time she took an active role in wellbeing awareness and access within the veterinary community. Rebecca then worked as an equine general practitioner and has been an active AAEP member. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found hiking, baking, and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students.

Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/
StudentAid.gov: https://studentaid.gov/
Student Debt Relief Application: https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief/application
Student Debt Relief Information: https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement/one-time-cancellation
Department of Education press release: https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-announces-actions-fix-longstanding-failures-student-loan-programs
StudentAid.gov https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment
Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers
StudentAid PSLF: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/

Email VIN Foundation: [email protected]
Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt.

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on the latest student loan news Read More »

Dr. Lynn Hendrix on the importance of evidence based medicine for palliative care

Leave a Comment / Veterinary Career Journeys, Veterinary Pulse Podcast / By vinfoundation

Dr. Lynn Hendrix shares her veterinary path, from an endearing childhood story with a horse, to practicing emergency medicine, and finding hope and passion for palliative care through complicated personal grief. A valuable conversation for all of us who love our animals, want the best for them, and eager to learn how to be more observant of their needs.

*TRIGGER WARNING* Some of the content in this episode may include triggers for topics including pregnancy and person loss. As a reminder, if you are a veterinary student or veterinarian, the VIN Foundation’s confidential peer-to-peer support group vets4vets® is here for you, at no cost, please know, you are not alone. Call (530) 601-2133 or visit the website to schedule a confidential Vets4Vets® session https://vinfoundation.org/resources/vets4vets/.

GUEST BIO:
Dr. Lynn Hendrix
Dr Lynn Hendrix has worked and been on the cutting edge of the animal hospice and veterinary palliative medicine field. She is a certified Hospice and Palliative veterinarian, and Founder/owner of Beloved Pet Mobile Vet. She was a co-author on the 2013 IAAHPC guidelines for best practices in animal hospice and palliative care. She is founder of the Facebook group, the Veterinarian Palliative Medicine group, and the founding consultant for the Hospice and Palliative medicine folder on VIN. She has also founded the World Veterinary Palliative Medicine Organization in 2018, though it has been on hiatus since 2020 due to covid. Dr. Hendrix has an upcoming book, Animal Hospice and Palliative Medicine for the House Call Veterinarian. Just recently, she started giving End of Life rounds at UC Davis.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:
VIN Foundation Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/v4v
Animal Hospice and Palliative Medicine for the House Call Veterinarian:
USA: https://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/animal-hospice-and-palliative-medicine-for-the-house-call-veterinarian-9780323567985.html
EU: https://www.eu.elsevierhealth.com/animal-hospice-and-palliative-medicine-for-the-house-call-veterinarian-9780323567985.html
UK: https://www.uk.elsevierhealth.com/animal-hospice-and-palliative-medicine-for-the-house-call-veterinarian-9780323567985.html
Africa: https://www.mea.elsevierhealth.com/animal-hospice-and-palliative-medicine-for-the-house-call-veterinarian-9780323567985.html
Japan: https://www.store.elsevierhealth.com/japan/animal-hospice-and-palliative-medicine-for-the-house-call-veterinarian-9780323567985.html

Social links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_palliative_vet/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePalliativeVet/
Facebook group for veterinarians only: https://www.facebook.com/groups/worldvetpalliativemedicine
Facebook group for techs interested in palliative care: https://www.facebook.com/groups/VeterinaryPCNurses
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-hendrix-dvm-chpv-30313282/

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Lynn Hendrix on the importance of evidence based medicine for palliative care Read More »

Dr. Tony Bartels on the latest student loan news and what borrowers should do now

Leave a Comment / Veterinary Pulse Podcast, Veterinary Student Debt Podcast / By vinfoundation

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan benShea chats with student debt expert and VIN Foundation Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels about the latest big news. Tony covers what we know now about the student debt relief program, and what questions we still need answered. Tony also discusses what you should do now before the payment pause extension expires after December 31, 2022, and shares his thoughts on the new income-driven repayment plan.
As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.

GUEST BIO:Dr. Tony BartelsTony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, daughter, Lucy and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Tony Bartels on the latest student loan news and what borrowers should do now Read More »

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on the latest student loan forgiveness news and what borrowers should do now

Leave a Comment / Veterinary Pulse Podcast, Veterinary Student Debt Podcast / By vinfoundation

Listen in as Executive Director Jordan benShea chats with student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels and the newest student debt team member Dr. Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series.

In this episode we’re discussing the latest news about student loan forgiveness from the Department of Education. Is this a time machine for loan forgiveness? What should borrowers know now and if colleagues have been making payments can they get a refund? Find out what you need to do if you federally held loans versus commercially held loans and where to go for updates.

As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Tony Bartels
Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.

Dr. Rebecca Mears
Rebecca Mears, DVM grew up in Delaware before moving to Lexington, KY, where she completed her BS at University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, she served as the National Business Certificate Director for the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) and as a board member for Vets for Pets and People. During this time she took an active role in wellbeing awareness and access within the veterinary community. Rebecca then worked as an equine general practitioner and has been an active AAEP member. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found hiking, baking, and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do so as a member of the VIN Foundation student debt team and Rising Leaders Committee lead.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:
Department of Education press release: https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-announces-actions-fix-longstanding-failures-student-loan-programs
StudentAid.gov https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment
VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details — VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans
VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt
VIN Foundation Webinars: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/webinars/
VIN Foundation Blog post: https://vinfoundation.org/fedloan-servicing-quits/
FedLoan Servicing: https://myfedloan.org/
StudentAid.gov: https://studentaid.gov/
Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers
StudentAid PSLF: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
New Grad Student Loan Playbook: https://vinfoundation.org/playbook
New Grad Student Loan Playbook webinar: https://VIN.zoom.us/webinar/register/4016518582800/WN_panblGA3RlKA8yf3wCVOAA
Student Loan Repayment Restart webinar recording:
https://vinfoundation.org/climbing-mt-debt-student-loan-repayment-restart/
Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
Personalized student loan assistance: https://vinfoundation.org/personalized-veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/
Email VIN Foundation: [email protected]
Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt.

Dr. Tony Bartels and Dr. Rebecca Mears on the latest student loan forgiveness news and what borrowers should do now Read More »

The Future’s So Bright Series – Dr. Bree Montana and Dr. Jose Pla on the importance of telling your veterinary practice story

Leave a Comment / Future's So Bright, Veterinary Pulse Podcast, Veterinary Resources / By vinfoundation

Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan benShea has a conversation with Dr. Bree Montana and Dr. Jose Pla in the next episode of the podcast series, The Future’s So Bright, the ins and outs of selling a veterinary practice. Jose takes us through the important aspects of sharing the story of your practice. What financial documents do you need? Do you need your tax records? And how important is production? What are minority partnerships? He also does a deep dive into the below five big categories of what needs to be considered when you are getting ready to sell your practice:
Top 5 categories to have when considering selling your veterinary practice:
Lease information
Financial records, make sure they are clean
Make sure that practice management software is able to print out financial reports
Think about your exit plan, are you willing to work and for how many years?
Pay to have a professional evaluator ahead of selling, ideally 2 years

Most importantly, we want to hear from YOU our listeners, to know what topics YOU want to hear about from experts. Please email us to share your thoughts: [email protected].

GUEST BIOS:
Dr. Bree MontanaBree Montana, DVM, CCFP graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science degree focused in the field of Biology followed by a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation from veterinary medical school, Dr. Montana worked exclusively in small animal outpatient and emergency hospitals while pursuing additional medical training in the latest technologies. Dr. Montana has advanced training in ultrasonography, echocardiography, chemotherapy, dentistry, emergency medicine and surgery, transfusion medicine, class IV laser therapy, pain management and rehabilitation. A past member of UC Davis’ College of Veterinary Medicine’s External Advisory and Admissions Boards, and a past Board member of the VIN Foundation, Dr. Montana is the Director of the VIN Foundation’s Vets4Vets® programs. When not practicing medicine, Dr. Montana will generally be found playing with her daughter Ember and their ponies, hiking with her huskies, and skiing or snowboarding with her husband.

Dr. Jose Pla
Dr. Pla obtained his DVM degree from Cornell University in 1995 and his MBA from Rutgers University in 2018. As a practicing veterinarian he has a special interest in feline medicine, behavior, nutrition and gastrointestinal diseases. As a businessman he has been the owner or co-owner of five veterinary practices and a founding partner of Companion Animal Practices North America. Since obtaining his MBA, Dr. Pla shifted his focus to entrepreneurial ventures, practice management education and private practice transition consulting. He is an avid sailor, scuba diver and wanna-be photographer. Activities he shares with his wife and two sons.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

The Future’s So Bright Series – Dr. Bree Montana and Dr. Jose Pla on the importance of telling your veterinary practice story Read More »