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Dr. Faeh with Aarthi Hari

Learn, connect, & grow with our network-wide General Practice mentorship program

When joining an NVA General Practice hospital as a new graduate, you are eligible to participate in a fully personalized up to 12-month mentorship program, guided by an experienced mentor.

The goal of this program is to work in collaboration with any existing on-site mentoring, add another layer of hands-on education and guidance, and offer next-level support and resources beyond what any individual clinic could provide to prepare you to take on the "day-to-day" with confidence.

Contact the Mentorship Team

Overall Program Highlights:

Dedicated New Grad Mentors

  • Dynamic and personalized program – able to customize based on individual DVM needs

  • Provide up to 12 months of overall guidance and support, building opportunities for growth as a new vet

  • Augment and reinforce existing in-clinic training and mentoring with experienced DVM support

  • Focus on foundational skills with in-person, quarterly, one-on-one support

Balanced Curriculum

  • Build confidence in diagnostic and clinical decision-making skills

  • Enhance surgical skills through core surgical skills review and repetition of common elective procedures, including increasing dental proficiency

  • Support transition from classroom to clinic with personal and financial wellness initiatives

  • Time management feedback and discussions

Community Connection & Collaboration

  • Engage with and build a network of other new DVMs and mentors for learning and outreach

  • Wellness meetings (via Zoom)

  • Social activities that promote healthy life balance and overall wellness

  • Case reviews with peers

  • Networking events

Meet the Mentors

Caitlin Vaughn

Caitlin Vaughn

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

CT, FL, MA, RI

Dr. Christine Brennan smiling in front of stairs

Christine Brennan

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

OR, WA

Megan Brown

Megan Brown

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

NY, PA, WV

Dr. Christine Brennan smiling in front of stairs

Christine Brennan

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

OR, WA

Megan Brown

Megan Brown

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

NY, PA, WV

Rena Carlson

Rena Carlson

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

AK, ID, MT, NE, WY

Emily Doemland smiling

Emily Doemland

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

IL

Amanda Ensor

Amanda Ensor

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

GA, LA, MS, TN

Sandra Faeh

Sandra Faeh, DVM

Chief Veterinary Officer, Lead Mentor

Supports New Doctors In:

IL

Dr. Sarah Goldstein, DVM smiling

Sara Goldstein

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

NJ, NY

Stephen Henderson

Stephen Henderson

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

DE, MD, NC, VA

Dr. Hill wearing black vest with NVA logo

Lawrence Hill

DVM, DABVP (canine and feline)

Supports New Doctors In:

CO, IN, MI, OH

Mindy Joyner

Mindy Joyner

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

NC, SC, VA

Amy Kafter smiling

Amy Kafer

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

CA, NV, UT

Jodi Long

Jodi Long

DVM, MS

Supports New Doctors In:

NM, OK, TX

Beth Neuman

Beth Neuman

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

AZ, CA

Dr. Libby Todd

Libby Todd

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

AL, FL, KS, LA, MO

Caitlin Vaughn

Caitlin Vaughn

DVM

Supports New Doctors In:

CT, FL, MA, RI

Mentorship Rocks!

Hear from our current and past mentees

Dr. Kara Duh smiling with a friendly dog wearing a OSU bandana.

I’m so glad to be a part of the new NVA [General Practice] mentorship program. It has given me more tools to use as a new doctor and I even find myself sharing the information with the more seasoned doctors at my practice. There are classes/CE courses that cover a wide array of topics (everything from dermatology to Addisons to oncology) and what I like about them is that they are to the point and so intensely helpful for what I encounter in everyday practice. We also do case reviews every few weeks and it’s really neat to not only learn tips and tricks from our mentor and fellow new doctors, but also to chat about our experiences, whether they be medical in nature or not.

Through this program, I have realized how much more I enjoy learning and discussing cases/disease management now than when I was in vet school. To have my own clinical experiences and then be able to discuss them, tweak my protocols and approaches to certain cases, and see all the different ways there are to get from point A to point B is awesome!

To any new doctor considering the program - stop considering and do it! You WILL learn and you WILL feel so much more confident overall. I’m always happy to chat if you have questions.”

- Dr. Kara Duh, Waterville Veterinary Clinic in Waterville, NY

Dr. Kara Duh smiling with a friendly dog wearing a OSU bandana.

I’m so glad to be a part of the new NVA [General Practice] mentorship program. It has given me more tools to use as a new doctor and I even find myself sharing the information with the more seasoned doctors at my practice. There are classes/CE courses that cover a wide array of topics (everything from dermatology to Addisons to oncology) and what I like about them is that they are to the point and so intensely helpful for what I encounter in everyday practice. We also do case reviews every few weeks and it’s really neat to not only learn tips and tricks from our mentor and fellow new doctors, but also to chat about our experiences, whether they be medical in nature or not.

Through this program, I have realized how much more I enjoy learning and discussing cases/disease management now than when I was in vet school. To have my own clinical experiences and then be able to discuss them, tweak my protocols and approaches to certain cases, and see all the different ways there are to get from point A to point B is awesome!

To any new doctor considering the program - stop considering and do it! You WILL learn and you WILL feel so much more confident overall. I’m always happy to chat if you have questions.”

- Dr. Kara Duh, Waterville Veterinary Clinic in Waterville, NY

Dr. Samantha Stephens holding a puppy

As a new grad, I am continuously improving my knowledge base as I step out into the practicing Vet Med world. Having graduated in May of 2022, I’ve only been practicing medicine for a short while. As a new grad, we all want the same thing, a space that will support us and allow us to grow into the doctors that we dreamed we would always be. The first few years out of Vet school are the years you build the foundation of the kind of doctor you will be. So it goes without saying that we all look for mentorship to help us starting out. NVA was my perfect fit, their resources and mentorship program is the additional support that I knew I wanted so that I could meet all my goals as a new grad. My favorite part of this mentorship program is that you can add another lifeline to call on when you get some of those tricky and complex cases, especially being a new doctor. The program allows you to have access to some great free virtual CE lecture to brush up on some of the things that can help you manage your day to day in the clinic. From dealing with behavioral cases, to more-in depth feline medicine, and even gaining more comfortability with steroid use in our patients. NVA has just the right amount of support and resources without the restriction of a cookie-cutter application of medicine. I highly recommend NVA to all my fellow new grads, the support, and resources available to you as an NVA doctor is perfect for growing into your own confidence as a new doctor.”

- Dr. Samantha (SJ) Stephens, Strawbridge Animal Care, Virginia Beach, VA

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of topics does the program cover?

Mentorship on Medical Competencies, such as:

  • Physical exam basics

  • Anesthesia

  • Client education on preventatives

  • Technical skills (e.g., IV catheter placement)

  • SOAP basics

  • Physical exam pediatric, geriatric, and orthopedic

  • Client education on euthanasia

  • In-house laboratory

  • Surgery reporting

  • Physical exam of non-critical sick patients

  • Client education on refining treatment plans

  • Reading radiology

  • Medical records – dental charting and reporting

  • Surgical skills – spays/neuters + more

  • Dentistry – including a full day wet lab

  • Behavior

  • CPR

  • Endocrinology

  • Cardiology fundamentals and emergencies

  • How to do a thorough neuro exam

  • Thoracic and abdominal radiology

  • Dermatology

  • Urethral obstructions

  • Wound management

What types of events does the program include?

Wellness / Professional Development Events, such as:

  • RACE-approved continuing education events

  • Whole person, perfectionism and your inner critic

  • Climbing Mt. Debt

  • You too can survive a liability claim!

  • Growth mindset

  • Mental health in the workplace

  • Crucial conversations (conflict resolutions)

  • Client interaction coaching

  • Lunch and learns on various topics

  • Local speakers

  • Social events

How do I fit this program into my schedule?

We partner with hospital leadership teams to ensure time to participate is made available to you. Communicating with your HLT and mentor as to any constraints or concerns is key to the success of this program.

What type of commitment does the program involve?

  • Average of 4-5 hours per month

  • Two virtual small group case reviews per month

  • One cohort meeting per month with our Community Team complimenting whole person development

  • One cohort meeting per month with a medical or surgical focus (topics vary)

  • Quarterly in-person meeting with mentor (usually your surgery day to allow for coaching/training/other support)

  • Quarterly social meeting

Network-Wide Mentorship

View our map of current participating locations and mentors

Contact us to learn more about new grad positions and mentorship at our GP hospitals

Visit our career site to learn more