"This clinic is very different than any of the other businesses you've been to. It's service based. There's the clinical portion and then there's the business part. Without the business part, the clinic portion doesn't work," says Dr. Heidi Grooms of Graham Veterinary Clinic in Arthur.
Dr. Grooms and her husband Nick purchased the already established Graham Veterinary Clinic within 3 months of graduating from the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine School in 2008.
Yes, that is unusual. And a lot to take on for a young couple literally just starting adulthood. But, they quickly learned to balance patience and risk.
"There's always worry," Dr. Grooms says. "There should also be, at some point, a big reward. You don't take the risk and put in the investment without looking forward to the reward."
What is the reward for the Grooms? "I have the flexibility to not miss [my] kids' stuff."
One of the major projects Graham Veterinary Clinic has completed is a move to a newly built building on the north side of Arthur. The building project wasn't just about having a shiny new office; it was also about expansion.
"With the bigger building, with the haul-in, I feel like I'm a better doctor," Dr. Grooms says. "I'm able to control the environment."
With 16 years of practice, Dr. Grooms has also seen her daily role shift a bit.
"I still see patients, but I'm at a point where I can pick and choose. I do a lot more HR now, like staff training."
Dr. Grooms and Nick also talked about:
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
- Competition (both with online pharmacies and other area veterinarians)
- Challenges of using space efficiently
- Inventory
- Payroll
- Anticipating shortages of supplies due to natural disasters like hurricanes
- Angel funds
- Pet insurance
- Scheduling and rotations
- Mobile clinics and vet trucks
And don't forget the emotional burnout that veterinarians experience at a higher rate than most other professions.
"We do this because we love animals, but that doesn't mean we can do it for free," Dr. Grooms says, reminding us the business still needs to make payroll and be profitable.
In the end, though, Dr. Grooms loves her job, even on the tough days. "It is difficult to find that balancing act, and somedays we do it better than others."
