Ep 255: Rural Practice, Big Impact: A Mentorship Model That Delivers, with Dr. Kathryn Miller
In this episode of So You're a Vet, Now What?, Dr. Moriah McCauley sits down with Dr. Kathryn Miller of Rocking KM Veterinary Services, a mixed animal practice in central Kansas that's rewriting the mentorship playbook for rural medicine. Dr. Miller shares how her practice has embraced a culture of mentorship—not just for new grads, but for the entire team.She opens up about how mentorship became a cornerstone of their clinic’s growth, the structure they developed to support new grads, and the mindset shift that’s helped everyone on the team—from CSRs to senior vets—grow through collaboration. Through candid reflections, we learn how knowing your team's personalities can make or break a mentorship experience.Whether you're a vet student unsure what to ask for in a first job, or a practice owner hoping to build a program from scratch, this episode is packed with honest insights and ideas you can take back to your clinic.Episode Outline[00:00] – Meet Dr. Kathryn Miller and Rocking KM Vet Services[00:01] – What Mentorship Means in Their Practice[00:03] – Culture and Collaboration Across the Team[00:05] – Supporting the Rural Veterinary Community[00:07] – Mentorship Beyond Doctors: CSRs and Techs[00:09] – Growth in Confidence for New Grads[00:11] – The Mentor's Learning Curve[00:13] – Communication Styles and Personality Clashes[00:15] – Building a Written Mentorship Plan[00:17] – What Success Looks Like in Practice[00:19] – Advice for Vet Students Seeking the Right FitEpisode Links Learn more about Rocking KM Veterinary Services: https://rockingkmvet.comFollow them on Instagram: @rockingkmvetMentioned in this episode:So You're a Vet, Now What? - The CourseAre you a new or recent veterinary graduate? If so, Dr. Dave’s course, ‘So You’re a Vet… Now What?’ has been put together specifically for you. The course focuses on non-clinical skills. This is not as dull as it sounds. In fact, almost every career problem that people face is due to not having well-developed, non-clinical skills. These are skills like client communication, so you have great relationships with clients. Emotional intelligence, so you've got great relationships with your teammates. Effective negotiation skills, so you can get paid what you are worth. Management of imposter syndrome, so you can have confidence in your abilities. And, how to build formidable resilience, so you can handle everything that comes your way. These are not just skills. They are prerequisites vital for success and financial and emotional wellbeing. This course serves as an essential stepping stone to your success. Dr. Dave will be your mentor as you go through 12-modules, helping you transition from being a student to a fully rounded veterinary professional. Visit www.drdavenicol.com/syav-class to learn more.