FlightPlan: Quick Consults

Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Entrepreneurship

Helping you navigate the turbulence of Veterinary Practice Ownership in 25 minutes or less. After all, your practice didn't come with an owner's manual!

  1. 1d ago ·  Video

    The Cost of Care: Why Veterinary Medicine Needs to Stop Apologizing - PART 2

    If we want vet professionals to have sustainable careers and real, livable wages, that has to come from somewhere: the care we provide. In Part 2, practice owners, Dr. Brianna Armstrong and Dr. Marie Maher dig into what that means on the business side, why teams need to stop apologizing for what things cost, and how pricing confidently (while still working within the spectrum of care) is what lets a practice actually pay its people what they're worth. Then a parent of a veterinary student shares what she hopes practices will one day offer her daughter. Her daughter, finishing vet school now, weighs in on what a sustainable career should look like, from friends already hitting burnout to why "firing a client" sometimes has to be okay. This one's for every vet professional thinking about what the career should pay, and it's especially worth passing along to any vet students you know! Panelists include: Dr. Brianna Armstrong, Practice Owner at Firehouse Animal Health CentersDr. Marie Maher, Practice Owner at Tranquil Tabby Mobile Cat VetResources mentioned: Dr. Armstrong created a free Hospital Culture Interview Guide for veterinary professionals. It includes 33 questions to ask, what to listen for in the answers, and red flags to watch for during an interview or working visit. Download it here!WMPB Fees 2026: Redefining Value Through Strategic PricingVeterinary Fee Consults with Encore Veterinary ConsultingWith thanks to Dr. Eve Harrison of The House Call Vet Academy, whose coaching shaped several of Dr. Maher's comments throughout this episode!Thanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting Instagram: @encorevetconsulting Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

    The Cost of Care: Why Veterinary Medicine Needs to Stop Apologizing - PART 2

  2. Sep 11 ·  Video

    The Cost of Care: Why Veterinary Medicine Needs to Stop Apologizing - PART 1

    "It's just so expensive" is one of the most common things veterinary teams hear, and one of the hardest to answer without feeling defensive. In Part 1 of a 2-part episode, two practice owners get honest about affordability for pet owners and sustainability for hospitals, and why charging what care actually costs shouldn't come with guilt attached. They break down what really goes into the price of a visit, how expenses have climbed like everything else in the economy, and why "expensive" doesn't mean "overpriced," from the years of schooling behind the medicine to what it takes to pay a team well. Then a pet owner and her daughter, who's currently in veterinary school, weigh in from the other side of the exam table: how she personally thinks about the cost of care, whether her daughter's path has changed her understanding of it, and how vet school itself has reshaped her daughter's sense of the value behind it. Part 2 continues next week! Panelists include: Dr. Brianna Armstrong, Practice Owner at Firehouse Animal Health CentersDr. Marie Maher, Practice Owner at Tranquil Tabby Mobile Cat VetResources mentioned: WMPB Fees 2026: Redefining Value Through Strategic PricingVeterinary Fee Consults with Encore Veterinary ConsultingWith thanks to Dr. Eve Harrison of The House Call Vet Academy, whose coaching shaped several of Dr. Maher's comments throughout this episode! Thanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting Instagram: @encorevetconsulting Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

    The Cost of Care: Why Veterinary Medicine Needs to Stop Apologizing - PART 1

  3. Sep 4 ·  Video

    Future-Proofing the Practice: New Services, New Opportunities

    Where's the real opportunity for your practice in 2027 and beyond? Brenda sits down with Dr. Marty Greer of Veterinary Village, Maggie Holcomb of Reynolda Veterinary Hospital, and Michelle Winter of Encore Vet Group to talk about the services reshaping veterinary care, from technicians stepping into a bigger advisory role to rethinking spay and neuter timing to expanding into senior care, rehab, and exotics. But not every new idea is worth chasing. Marty, Maggie, and Michelle break down how to know when one is: listen to your clients, track what you're referring out, find a champion on your team, and don't skip the hard part of training staff and explaining the why before you roll it out. Host = Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ, MVLCE Panelists: Dr. Marty Greer, Practice Owner at Veterinary VillageMaggie Holcomb, CVPM, Practice Manager at Reynolda Veterinary HospitalMichelle Winter, CVPM, CVJ, VP of Operations at Encore Vet GroupThank you to Joan Marshall of PIMidlantic for sponsoring this episode! Want to take the Predictive Index Assessment? Click here! Thanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting Instagram: @encorevetconsulting Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

    Future-Proofing the Practice: New Services, New Opportunities

  4. Aug 28 ·  Video

    From Control to Confidence: A Better Way to Lead Your Team

    Have you accidentally trained your team to wait for you? If a vacation brings decisions to a halt until you're back, this episode is for you. Brenda sits down with a panel consisting of a veterinary consultant, a practice manager, and a practice owner/veterinarian to talk about letting go of being "the fixer," starting with the everyday things that pile up waiting for the boss, like client complaints and scheduling. They dig into how to build real trust with your team by asking "what would you do?" instead of jumping in, and why doing something differently than you doesn't mean doing it wrong. Panelists joining Brenda Tassava Medina for this episode include: Dr. Amy Tate, Managing Partner at Riverview Animal HospitalCarol Hurst,  LVT, CVPM, CVJ, CCFP, Consultant at Encore Veterinary ConsultingCrystal Hardison, RVT, CVPM, Practice Manager at Winterville Animal Care and Trinity Veterinary HospitalThank you to Joan Marshall of PIMidlantic for sponsoring this episode! Want to take the Predictive Index Assessment? Click here! Thanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting Instagram: @encorevetconsulting Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

    From Control to Confidence: A Better Way to Lead Your Team

  5. Aug 21 ·  Video

    Dear Brenda: Asking for a Friend | Real Questions. Practical Advice. Better Veterinary Practices.

    This episode, Brenda's flying solo — answering the questions listeners have been quietly wondering about but haven't known who to ask! Is your team busier than ever, but the financials still aren't adding up — and you're not sure if it's a real problem or just everyone "feeling" overwhelmed? What do you do when your most talented employee turns out to be a rough fit as a leader? How do you handle a team that's begging for more accountability, but turns on leadership the moment anyone actually enforces it? We're digging into these questions from listeners and more! These are the conversations happening in break rooms and manager meetings across the industry — Brenda just happens to have some answers. Tune in to hear where she'd start! Thank you to Joan Marshall of PIMidlantic for sponsoring this episode! Want to take the Predictive Index Assessment? Click here! Resources mentioned: From Bud to Boss by Kevin Elkenberry and Guy HarrisCrucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny, et alThanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting Instagram: @encorevetconsulting Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

    Dear Brenda: Asking for a Friend | Real Questions. Practical Advice. Better Veterinary Practices.

  6. Aug 14 ·  Video

    The Leadership Trap: Managing Everyone the Same Way

    Why does one leadership style never work for every employee? Brenda sits down with Debbie Hill, Brandon Hess, and Amy Tipton to make the case that "treat people the way THEY want to be treated" beats the golden rule when it comes to leadership — and that management should stay consistent while leadership has to flex person-by-person. From there, the panelists dig into what adapting actually looks like — creativity, vulnerability, boundaries, tools like the Predictive Index — and why balancing awareness of your team with self-awareness is what separates good leaders from great ones. Books mentioned throughout the episode: First Break All the Rules from GallupPlease Understand Me: Character and Temperament Types by David Keirsey & Marilyn BatesEmotional Intelligence 2.0 by Dr. Travis Bradberry & Dr. Jean GreavesTrust & Inspire by Stephen CoveyHost = Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ, President of Encore Veterinary Consulting Panelists: Debbie Hill, CVPM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Consultant at Encore Veternary ConsultingBrandon Hess, CVPM, CCFP, Partner at Grants Lick Veterinary HospitalAmy Tipton, COO at Encore Vet GroupThank you to Joan Marshall of PIMidlantic for sponsoring this episode! Want to take the Predictive Index Assessment? Click here! Thanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting Instagram: @encorevetconsulting Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

    The Leadership Trap: Managing Everyone the Same Way

  7. Aug 7 ·  Video

    Why Good Teams Still Miscommunicate

    If your team cares about doing right by clients and each other, why does communication still go sideways so often? Our panelists dig into that question this episode, and the answer isn't a lack of effort — it's that we all show up wired differently. Different motivators, different learning styles, and moments where passion or emotion take over can make even well-intentioned people miss each other.  We also get into what leaders can do to reduce day-to-day friction without becoming full-time mediators: starting from a clear "why," staying consistent about practicing communication as a team, anchoring conflict in shared values, and building enough trust that people can work things out without leadership stepping in every time. Host = Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ, President of Encore Veterinary Consulting Panelists: Amy Brauns, RVT, CVPM, Hospital Administrator at Everhart Veterinary MedicineTiffany Consalvo, CVPM, CCFP, Director of Leadership & Operations at Encore Vet GroupCrystal Hardison, RVT, CVPM, Practice Manager at Winterville Animal CareThank you to Joan Marshall of PIMidlantic for sponsoring this episode! Want to take the Predictive Index Assessment? Click here! Thanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting Instagram: @encorevetconsulting Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

    Why Good Teams Still Miscommunicate

  8. Jul 31 ·  Video

    The Cost of Hiding Our Humanity

    Every day, veterinary teams move from a euthanasia appointment straight into a new puppy visit — and are expected to just switch gears. But what does that emotional whiplash actually cost us, and do we have permission to feel it? In this episode, Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ, CCFP, Elite FFCP-VA and Founder/CEO of VANE, joins us to discuss ideas from her article "3 Ways Veterinarians Can Stay Present Without Burning Out" (Today's Veterinary Business). We dig into why teams need to align on whether it's okay to grieve, cry, or show emotion in front of clients — and why the answer should be yes. We also explore the real relationship between efficiency and humanity and we also dive into the question: when does healthy resilience curdle into emotional armor that disconnects us from our patients, clients, and each other? Natalie introduces the idea of "clinical empathy" and a gut-check for spotting numbness before it takes hold, plus a concrete next step that leadership teams can implement to build a culture where being human is welcome, not hidden. Thank you to Joan Marshall of PIMidlantic for sponsoring this episode! Want to take the Predictive Index Assessment? Click here! Thanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting Instagram: @encorevetconsulting Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

    The Cost of Hiding Our Humanity
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Helping you navigate the turbulence of Veterinary Practice Ownership in 25 minutes or less. After all, your practice didn't come with an owner's manual!

Information

  • Creator
    Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 FlightPlan: Quick Consults
  • Show Website
    FlightPlan: Quick Consults

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