February MentorVet Mentor of the Month: Matthew Stevens, DVM

Vet Mentorship

Feb 23

As we approach the launch of our Spring 2022 MentorVet program, we want to highlight another one of our amazing Mentors!

**Matthew Stevens, DVM**
***MentorVet Mentor***

This February we want to highlight our Mentor of the Month, Matthew Stevens, DVM. Dr. Stevens is a Professional Services Veterinarian for Merck Animal Health.

We chose Dr. Stevens as our Mentor of the Month because of his great ability to connect and empathize with early-career veterinarians. His strong listening skills and calm demeanor make you feel instantly comfortable talking through any issue you may be facing.

Read below to learn more about Dr. Stevens’ take on his MentorVet experience. Read until the end to hear about a wild story involving Matt, a cat, and a bat!

Dr. Stevens, why did you choose to be involved with MentorVet?

Veterinary Medicine has given me and my family more than I could ever return. I would not be in the profession I’m in and have achieved the level of success and enjoyment I have without my mentors along the way. MentorVet allows me the opportunity to give back to the profession as well as to the people who need support at the most critical time in their young careers.

Please share an example of how you have helped your mentee?

I have enjoyed helping them learn the ability to know when to delegate vs. when to be present. Also, helping them learn how to communicate with team members as well as pet owners.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of being a vet mentor?

Giving new colleagues the freedom and understanding to succeed and feel good about the decisions they make - whether from a career choice standpoint or how they practice. No successful practitioner became successful by themselves. Giving new graduates a safe space to express their concerns, successes, frustrations, or failures with someone who has walked the same path is incredibly rewarding.

Would you recommend volunteering as a mentor with MentorVet to other veterinarians?

Absolutely. Mentoring new graduates is by far and without a doubt the most rewarding part of my career.

What is your favorite self-care activity?

Wildlife photography. If you’re not paying attention and not completely in the moment, you get no good outcomes.

Do you have a fact or story to share?

I had to have the rabies prophylaxis treatment when I was 12 years old. A cat eating a bat scratched Matt. My mother put the bat in our refrigerator and had it tested. It came up positive, so Matt got over his fear of shots very very quickly.

Thank you, Dr. Stevens!

Dr. Stevens is an incredible mentor in our veterinary mentorship program, and we are so excited to highlight his commitment to supporting early-career professionals. There is always a need for mentors within our community, and if you are interested in learning more about how to become a mentor in the program, please visit our volunteer page!

MentorVet Mentor of the MonthVeterinary Mentorship

Addie Reinhard, DVM, MS

Dr. Addie Reinhard is a veterinary wellbeing researcher. Her research focuses on developing and evaluating innovative interventions to support mental health and wellbeing within the veterinary profession. She is the Founder and Director of MentorVet, an evidence-based mentorship and professional development program for recent veterinary graduates. She is on the research team for the next phase of the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study and is currently collaborating with Merck Animal Health to grow and expand MentorVet. She completed a master’s degree in Community and Leadership Development and a Graduate Certificate in College Teaching and Learning from the University of Kentucky in Spring 2021, was a 2019-2020 KVMA Power of Ten Leadership Program participant, and holds a certificate in Veterinary Human Support from the University of Tennessee. She is also a certified QPR instructor.