In this episode, Jesse Tyma, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, talks about building confidence in entry-level veterinarians and offers recommendations for veterinarians in mentorship positions. She discusses the seven elements crucial to good mentoring, talks about communicating effectively with interns and new graduates, and describes ways to help new veterinarians build skills.
Responsible and Intentional Leadership for Entry-Level Veterinarians
Tyma, who presented a talk titled “Responsible and Intentional Leadership for Early-Career Veterinarians” at the 2023 AAEP Convention in San Diego, feels passionate about mentorship because “The early years are quite formative, with gaining confidence in one’s process, establishing professional relationships, and a sense of community.” She added, “Each and every one of us as equine veterinarians needs to recognize and take responsibility for our impact on up-and-coming equine practitioners,” especially in this current climate of poor recruitment and retention. She said she has become more cognizant of how her example and communication can affect a new veterinarian’s sense of belonging.
Seven Elements for Building Confidence
Tyma then explained the seven elements she believes are crucial to building confidence through mentorship. Responsible and intentional leadership includes honoring generational differences, promoting teamwork over individualism and ego, exercising healthy professional boundaries, rejecting perfectionism and toxic positivity, cultivating psychological safety, and eliminating “hustle” culture, she explained.
“Meaningful feedback is so important!” Tyma continued. “Different people are going to receive feedback differently. Finding what works for each individual is the key.”
Final Thoughts
In closing, Tyma described ways to help early-career veterinarians build confidence as they attain skills. She suggested asking them to describe their learning process. In addition, she advised stating your confidence in their ability to successfully complete the task and reassuring them that you will be available if they need help. Providing psychological safety so new vets feel safe asking for help and modeling asking for help yourself as a mentor is also important. “Give them safe opportunities to be in the driver’s seat,” she said.
About Dr. Jesse Tyma
Jesse Tyma, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, is an equine surgeon at Rhinebeck Equine in the Hudson Valley of New York. Her clinical interests include gastrointestinal and soft tissue surgery, wound management, sports medicine, and back disorders.
Tyma grew up in New Hope, Pennsylvania, and attended Amherst College for her undergraduate education followed by Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a rotating internship at Rhinebeck Equine followed by a large animal surgical residency at the University of Georgia and then became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2019. She joined Rhinebeck Equine in 2023. Tyma is a member of the AAEP Commission on Equine Veterinary Sustainability’s Internship Subcommittee and a member of the AAEP’s Wellness Committee. She is both a Decade One facilitator and a Starting Gate group facilitator. She is passionate about providing dedicated mentorship for intern veterinarians and building a strong sense of community and collaboration through her practice.
Tyma is an avid CrossFitter, hiker, downhill skier, and explorer of mountainous regions. She thoroughly enjoys doting on her cats and miniature horses.
Related Reading
- AAEP Commission on Veterinary Sustainability: A New Approach to Equine Internships
- The Business of Practice: Building Healthy Veterinary Internship Programs
- AAEP Commission on Veterinary Sustainability: Improved Internships Will Help Retention
Stay in the know! Sign up for EquiManagement’s FREE weekly newsletters to get the latest equine research, disease alerts, and vet practice updates delivered straight to your inbox.
