Landing Your Dream Role Post Residency:
The Ins and Outs of Identifying the Right Job and Negotiating Your Worth

Charlotte Lacroix, DVM, JD

In today's competitive job market, the art of negotiation has become an essential skill for professionals seeking new opportunities. This presentation delves into the critical aspects of understanding one's worth during the job search process, equipping individuals with the confidence and strategies necessary to negotiate effectively. Beginning with insights into self-assessment and recognizing personal value, the discussion navigates through interview and negotiation tips tailored to maximize success.

Participants will gain valuable insights into presenting themselves confidently during interviews. Moreover, the presentation will offer practical guidance on navigating the negotiation process, including strategies for salary, benefits, and other contractual terms. Attendees will learn to leverage their strengths and accomplishments to secure a favorable position while maintaining professionalism and respect.

Furthermore, the presentation will shed light on the often-overlooked aspect of contract analysis. It will provide attendees with key indicators to watch for in a contract, ensuring alignment with their career goals and protecting their interests. By the end of the session, participants will be empowered with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the job market with confidence, advocating for their worth and securing the best possible outcomes in their professional endeavors.

Charlotte Lacroix, DVM, JD

Dr. Charlotte Lacroix owns Veterinary Business Advisors, Inc., a national consulting firm advising on veterinary business and legal issues. Beginning her career as an equine veterinarian, she transitioned to law to advocate for veterinarians. With over 20 years of experience assisting veterinarians in all areas, her expertise is companion and large animal and multi-specialty practices.

Dr. Lacroix lectures extensively at conferences and veterinary schools on business and legal issues, and facilitates continuing education seminars nationwide. Topics include succession planning, practices sales, employment and other contract negotiations, malpractice, medical records/informed consents, ethics, animal welfare, drugs and biologics, and human resources.

Dr. Lacroix volunteers for organizations including AVMA, AAHA, AAEP, NJVMA and PVMA. She was the 2014-2015 President of NAVC, and is currently board member with the Veterinary Virtual Care Association.

Career opportunities in veterinary ophthalmology:
A panel discussion

In this session, three ophthalmologists will each present a brief overview of opportunities and challenges relative to their respective careers. Dr. Susan Nelms will discuss private and corporate practice, Dr. Anne Metzler will discuss academia and Dr. Sara Thomasy will discuss industry and research. The session will be open to attendees for questions and discussion.

PANELISTS

Drs. Anne Metzler, Susan Nelms and Sara Thomasy

PANELISTS

Anne Metzler, DVM, MS, DACVO

Professor Anne Gemensky Metzler is a 1995 graduate of The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). She joined the OSU Veterinary Clinical Sciences faculty after completing her residency training, M.S. degree and board certification at the OSU CVM in 2000. Dr. Metzler recently concluded her term as the President of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and member of the Board of Regents from 2018-2023. She also served as Chair of the ACVO Examination Committee and served 3 years on the ACVO Credentials Committee. Dr. Metzler has been Head of the Comparative Ophthalmology Service since 2007 and serves as a member of the CVM Promotion and Tenure Committee. She participated in the Big Ten Academic Alliance Academic Leadership Program and The OSU President and Provost’s Leadership Institute. She enjoys teaching in all four years of the DVM curriculum as well as graduate and residency training. She was the recipient of the Class of 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award and recognized on the 2022-2023 and 2020-2021 OSU CVM Teaching Honor Roll. Dr. Metzler’s clinical and research interests include equine ophthalmology, treatment of equine glaucoma, infectious corneal disease in dogs and horses and cataract surgery. In addition to ophthalmology, she enjoys marathons and ultrarunning, cooking and gardening.

PANELISTS

Susan R. Nelms, DVM, DACVO

Dr. Susan Nelms has been practicing ophthalmology in the Birmingham, Alabama area for over 30 years.  After completing her ophthalmology residency and obtaining board certification, Dr. Nelms established Veterinary Eye Care, a privately owned ophthalmology referral practice.  After 27 years of private practice ownership, Dr. Nelms transitioned to corporate practice and joined the BluePearl Pet Hospital where she continues to work full time with the ophthalmology team.

PANELISTS

Sara M. Thomasy, DVM, PhD, DACVO

Dr. Sara Thomasy is a Professor dually appointed in the Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences in the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Davis. She received her B.S. in Biology from The Ohio State University in 2000 and her DVM from UC Davis in 2005. She then completed a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from UC Davis in 2006. Following a 1-year small animal rotating internship at North Carolina State University, she completed a comparative ophthalmology residency at UC Davis in 2010. Dr. Thomasy is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology and is currently an editorial board member for Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science. She is a Core Scientist at the California National Primate Research Center, co-runs a large, interdisciplinary vision science laboratory with Dr. Brian Leonard - the Comparative Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences Laboratory (COVSL), and is a consultant for Ocular Services on Demand (OSOD). Her research interests include large animal models of ocular disease, corneal wound healing, glaucoma, and ocular pharmacology and toxicology.