Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, have co-hosted their award-winning weekly veterinary podcast since 2016.
Each week, they “tackle the toughest topics in veterinary medicine,” highlighting controversial issues and trending news, introducing veterinary key opinion leaders and provocateurs, and offering solutions to the myriad challenges facing the veterinary profession.
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Vet Clinic Conflict: Masks, Politics, Social Issues & More! Why Can't We Get Along?
Workplace divisions have been a challenge in veterinary practices for ages. But are tensions rising and has the source of conflict changed over the past few years?
We’re living through a highly divisive and politically-charged time in the US and around the globe. And, oh yeah, there's also a pandemic to deal with. This week, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT explore how the external world’s issues are creating conflict and volatility within veterinary clinics. This is truly a tough topic!
The duo discuss the recent popularity of masks, mugs, t-shirts, and even jewelry that proclaim political and social justice statements. They ask whether or not the veterinary clinic is the appropriate context to make a political or social justice stand? You don’t want to miss this conversation!
Dr. Ward expresses his concern that social media has given many permission to behave disrespectfully toward others and spread distrust. Beckie shares that her father even “unfriended” her on social media due to political disagreements! And you don’t want to miss Beckie’s rant against football!
Finally, the pair offer several solutions to help veterinary teams reclaim cohesion and unite. While there are no easy answers to these complex issues, we believe by openly confronting and discussing them, we can make positive change during these turbulent times.
Viewfinders, what are your thoughts on this topic? Are you experiencing heightened tensions between coworkers in your clinic? How are you coping and overcoming these issues?
It’s the time of year when veterinary clinics revisit their staff policies, but how do you implement them without creating chaos or resentment? In this week’s episode of “The Veterinary Viewfinder,” Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, MPA, RVT, dive into the challenges of rolling out new rules, such as sick leave policies, PTO usage, and vacation time, in a way that ensures fairness and team cohesion.
The co-hosts explore common pitfalls in policy implementation, such as reactionary rule-making after isolated incidents such as “sick-outs” and chronic absenteeism, and explain why sudden, poorly communicated policy changes can erode trust. They also discuss the importance of balancing structure with empathy and emphasize collaborative approaches to decision-making that involve the entire team.
The episode also unpacks why policies requiring sick employees to provide doctor’s notes can send a harmful message of distrust and why flexible, inclusive guidelines create a healthier workplace culture. Dr. Ward and Beckie share real-world stories of successful—and unsuccessful—policy rollouts, offering actionable tips to help veterinary managers make thoughtful, equitable decisions.
If you’re a practice owner, manager, or team member, tune in to learn how to create policies that support your team while keeping your clinic running smoothly. Let’s make 2024 the year of fair, effective policies in veterinary medicine!