WHY CULTURE MATTERS- From a Veterinarian/ Owners Perspective We believe people matter

We believe that when people matter, culture matters—and nowhere is this truer than in veterinary medicine. Throughout my career, I’ve come to see that culture—the shared values and beliefs that guide how we work together—is one of the most critical factors in veterinary medicine. My career in veterinary medicine—spanning small animal surgery, referral centers, and educational roles—has allowed me to witness the profound impact of culture on every aspect of the field. After completing vet school in Colorado, I pursued an internship in Missouri and a small animal surgery residency in Minnesota, leading to the ownership of both referral centers and mobile practices. I've worked in referral centers, appeared on Animal Planet's *ER Vets*, and served in leadership roles with Veterinary Study Groups (VMG) and the Montana Veterinary Medical Association. Additionally, I’ve been active in education as adjunct faculty at Washington State University and a visiting professor at St. George University. Mentoring Montana’s Power of Ten group has further emphasized the critical role culture plays across all aspects of veterinary work.

Throughout my career, the veterinary landscape has undergone significant changes. The profession is now predominantly female, and corporations own many practices. The range of options for small animal care has expanded dramatically. While the U.S. population has become more urbanized, food animal production remains largely rural. Currently, there is a shortage of veterinarians, with rural areas being particularly affected. Change, as always, is neither inherently “good”; nor “bad”;  but some cultures are more effective at navigating change. The real challenge lies in our tendency to resist change and stick to familiar ways of doing things. This resistance raises the question: How is our professional culture affected by these changes? In discussing—or more likely complaining about— the state of the profession with my son Matt, a cultural anthropologist, he offered a fresh perspective on my concerns. I began to see the common thread behind many of my concerns: culture.

What do I mean when I talk about culture? It’s not something tangible that can be easily measured or entered onto a spreadsheet, but it can certainly be felt. As a mobile surgeon, I’ve walked into clinics and immediately sensed dissonance—a lack of harmony. It’s not just about an individual having a tough day, but an entire clinic struggling to find cohesion. This feeling is familiar in other businesses too. Think of a restaurant where the server is all business—not rude or providing poor service, but clearly just going through the motions. It’s not about one person having a bad day, but a group of individuals collectively experiencing recurring bad days.

Culture is often tacit, difficult to see but can certainly be felt, and it plays a significant role in staff, patient, and employee outcomes. Many of us in this field struggle to understand these feelings because they can’t be easily quantified and put on a spreadsheet, yet we recognize that culture is critically important. The challenge lies in defining and measuring these feelings quantitatively, not just qualitatively. In veterinary terms, it’s like running a blood test—just as anemia signals a lack of vitality in a patient, an 'anemic' culture can signal a lack of vitality in a clinic.

Whether you value patient outcomes, employee well-being, or your clinic’s bottom line, culture is critical—because at the end of the day, people are your most important asset. Start by asking yourself, what values are embraced at your clinic, and why? Values are the foundation of culture—they define how we work together and why. A strong culture based on shared values can turn a challenging day into a supportive refuge, shielding us from external pressures that might otherwise overwhelm us. A strong culture can help us effectively anticipate and response to challenges and opportunities by harnessing the power of we, instead of me.

Shared values enable a group to function at a level that surpasses individual capabilities. A cohesive culture leads to better patient and client care, improved communication, and a sense of purpose and belonging. By fostering a strong, values-driven culture, your clinic can weather the inevitable challenges, harness collective strengths, and create a space where both patients and staff thrive.

Mark Albrecht D.V.M.