Reflections on a Career in Veterinary Medicine: Dr. Christine Santiago

VCA Voice Veterinary Podcast

Dr. Kerl is pleased to welcome special guest Dr. Christine Santiago, VCA Regional Medical Director for the Mid-Atlantic Group. As her retirement approaches, she reflects on her life-long career and the impact of her work in the field. In their conversation, Dr. Christine Santiago shares her journey in veterinary medicine, detailing her educational background, experiences in various practices, and her transition to leadership roles within VCA. She emphasizes the importance of wellness testing in veterinary care, discussing how it can lead to early disease detection and better health outcomes for pets. Dr. Santiago also highlights the significance of effective communication with pet owners regarding the necessity of testing and the impact of leadership on practice culture. Christine shares insights on how these practices can uncover hidden health issues in pets, emphasizing the importance of tailored testing based on age and regular follow-ups. They also explore case studies that highlight the effectiveness of early detection and the advancements in veterinary medicine, including the use of artificial intelligence.
Dr. Christine Santiago has extensive experience training new doctors and new medical directors. She has presented at regional meetings and to hospital teams on many topics, including Wellness and Early Disease Detection, Dentistry, Medical Metrics, Doctor Communication and Leadership, focusing on Medical Leadership in a Veterinary Practice Environment. Dr. Santiago earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science from the University of Maryland,
College Park and went on to receive her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1987. After working as a primary care veterinarian in private practices in PA caring for canine, feline and zoomed patients, she became the Medical Director at VCA Northside Animal Hospital in Bethlehem, PA. She then became a VCA Area Medical Director for a larger area before being selected as the VCA Regional
Medical Director, first for the VCA Northeast Hospital Group and then VCA Mid-Atlantic Hospital Group. Favorite medical initiatives, as a Regional Medical Director, include adding routine full mouth radiographs to all dental procedures, identifying underlying dental disease and addressing it early.
Another would be working with hospital teams to identify underlying disease in its early stages in patients through routine wellness blood testing and radiographs. The goal being to address the disease before the patient becomes clinically ill, allowing a path to complete cure or earlier/easier chronic disease support. We are always working toward happier patients that live longer and happier pet owners that are given the opportunity to be with their healthy pets for as long as possible.

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