Mentor Spotlight: Dr. Tara Ghormley, DVM

We are excited to highlight Dr. Tara Ghormley as one of our rockstar mentors in our community! Tara is a board-certified small animal internal medicine specialist, and is the current owner of a mobile consulting and ultrasound company, VIM of SoCal. She is also active in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and enjoys providing lectures and teaching students and fellow veterinarians. Read below her insight on mentoring and why support of young vets is so vital!

Dr. Tara Ghormley, DVM

MentorVet Mentor

Tara, tell us a little bit about your career journey. What do you currently do in veterinary medicine and how did you end up here?

I knew I wanted to specialize since before veterinary school. I fell in love with internal medicine but took a short detour and did a 1-year neurology internship before starting my medicine residency. After becoming boarded, I worked for almost a decade in private practice until opening my current mobile ultrasound and consulting service.

Why did you choose to be involved with MentorVet?

New veterinarians are expected to be a proficient and confident practitioner immediately after graduation. Without appropriate support, this creates anxiety and can lead to burnout. Our new doctors must feel supported as the first few years out of school are the most challenging.

Will you share an example of something you and your mentee have discussed?

I worked with one of my mentees on ways to discuss gold standard diagnostic/treatment options and ways to modify these recommendations based on a client's financial situation.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of being a mentor?

I really enjoy watching mentees become more confident in their abilities as a practitioner and working with clients.

What is one thing that you have learned through your time mentoring for MentorVet?

The challenges faced after veterinary school are universal and independent of the graduates' academic abilities.

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received from a mentor or the best piece of advice that you have ever given?

Do not compare yourself to other new practitioners. Everyone feels overwhelmed and unsure of themselves, regardless of outward appearance.

What is your favorite self-care activity?

I love going to Disneyland! It is a place where I don't have to think about work.

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

I absolutely recommend becoming a mentor as it provides gratification in helping the new generation of veterinarians as well as a sense of connection to the profession in general.

Thank you for sharing with us, Dr. Ghormley!

We are so grateful for her support in MentorVet! We are onboarding new mentors all the time! — Check out some next steps to be a Mentor here!