Dr. Danille Woodrum began her career in private practice before joining Banfield Pet Hospitals. She is currently a Banfield Medical Director in the St. Louis, MO, area where she oversees the growth and development of 45+ doctors, works to deliver a consistent client experience throughout the market and region, and delivers the top standard of care for families’ pets. Dr. Woodrum is a graduate of the University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine.
Describe your career path, the route you took from Graduation to what you are doing today.
DW: My career path didn’t really expand until I realized what I didn’t want in my career, and that took a few years. Upon graduating in 2000, I started at a private practice where I knew there was more to medicine but was unable to make changes. I felt there were paths for me in management and development and moved my career to the next level with Banfield Pet Hospitals.
There I came on with the knowledge of where my career could go, and made it known that I wanted to excel and expand my goals. Partnering with my Business partner, other doctors and my field leadership gave me the tools that I needed to move forward to where I am today.
My ambition doesn’t stop here though! I’m simply at a place in my life where I am happy with my career, and need to stay put for a few more years to raise my kids! Then the sky is the limit!
What does your job entail?
DW: My days vary, but an office day full of conference calls and emails happen once a week, usually Mondays. The rest of the week is follow up and hospital visits where my partner and I meet with the Chief of Staff and Practice Manager of each hospital to discuss the finances, business, and the medicine of their particular hospital. They are the ones who run it, we give healthy support!
What are the best things about your job?
DW: Interactions with the doctors and teams – definitely! I think that we forget that the people we serve have lives and ambitions just like we do, and I love to find out what those are, and help them realize their potential! It’s awesome to see that ‘Ah Ha’ moment on someone’s face when they see that they can do something, or that they understand fully why we do what we do!
What are some challenges you face in your position?
DW: The biggest challenge is working with people who have no motivation, or are just okay with status quo. I believe that we should all want to be better than our past selves and it’s frustrating when not everyone agrees with that. I’m a chronic optimist though, and continue to believe that there is some kind of motivation for everyone. Finding it in some people is the challenge!
Looking back, what do you know now that you wish you would have known as a Vet Student?
DW: I wish I knew just how stressful being a doctor really is, and that I came out of school much better prepared to have hard conversations with people. Communication is the key to everything, and my favorite saying is: People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. It’s amazing nowadays how many new graduates don’t know how to communicate empathy and understanding.
What are some challenges/changes you see for the veterinary profession?
DW: The biggest challenge I see is the need for long term preventive care from an early age. I truly believe that the way to a healthy pet (and person for that matter) is being able to see your doctor multiple times a year, have bloodwork done at least twice yearly, and at least once yearly dental prophies.
I see our patients live 25% longer with those things being done when starting from puppy/kitten. The veterinary profession is only tipping the iceberg on this philosophy and needs to embrace it more fully. The result is a win/win/win for the pet, pet’s family, and the veterinary business. How can that ever be a bad thing?!
What is your most memorable patient or moment in veterinary medicine?
DW: I wish I could say my most memorable moment was a time that I saved a pet, or did something fabulous. It wasn’t. My most memorable moment was the realization that I CAN make a difference in pets’ lives and that I had the tools to do that, I just needed to put my big girl panties on and do it! The results were amazing!
What are some of your hobbies outside of veterinary medicine?
DW: I am a Kuk Sool Won Practitioner (martial arts). It’s amazing to do something on a daily basis that is never the same, creates great friendships and completely and totally takes your mind off the outside world, into your own body. It’s impossible to practice martial arts when you’re thinking about something else so it forces me to concentrate on me. This is something it took me a long time to understand – that I am important enough to take care of myself – mind, body and spirit!
Do you have a dream species that you would like to work with?
DW: I actually started my schooling thinking I’d be on the ocean working with marine life. Alas, to no avail. But I am happy where I ended up! No regrets!
How would you like to see technology affect vet med?
DW: I truly would like to see the technology of the human world come into ours on a more reasonable basis – financially. I believe that clients want that kind of technology and that money may be an issue for some.
Anything other words of advice about your specialty?
DW: I specialize in preventive care. No matter what, that’s where the best results will come from!
Anything else you’d like to share?
DW: In school, whether you’re a tech, assistant, or doctor, make sure that you take some extensive communication classes. We all believe that we are great communicators and the truth is that we can ultimately always improve and the things you will learn are extremely eye opening!
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