Dr. Andy Roark and Maria Pirita respond to a mailbag from a “soul tired” veterinary medical director who has spent a year writing SOPs, mentoring early-career vets, and trying to fix culture, only to feel ignored, unsupported by upper management, and financially penalized because leadership time pulls her out of the exam room. They unpack the resentment and burnout risk, emphasize acceptance of “what is” versus “what should be,” and warn that “your job will never love you back,” so boundaries and realistic success metrics matter. Action steps focus on solving the collective action problem by recruiting champions, connecting changes to purpose and team values, starting small to build momentum, and using habit-building principles to make protocols obvious, easy, attractive, and satisfying. Mentioned resources include prior episodes on awful leaders, training initiative, and resentment, plus the contact email podcast@unchartedvet.com

Maria Pirita is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, Elite Fear Free Certified Veterinary Professional and former hospital administrator. In her work with Uncharted Veterinary Conference and beyond, Maria has presented to veterinarians and teams across the US and Canada on topics including veterinary marketing, feedback, team building, and positive work culture. With over 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine and over 20 years in leadership, she's passionate helping leaders develop their skills. Maria loves any activity that involves creativity or learning something new. This leads to an abundance of hobbies including crafting, traveling, cooking and aviation.

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Office Hours

Inside the Uncharted Veterinary Community, Dr. Andy Roark hosts Office Hours where veterinary leaders can bring real-world challenges and get practical guidance from someone who understands the realities of practice life. These sessions give veterinarians, practice managers, and team leaders a chance to ask questions, workshop difficult situations, and gain perspective on issues like team dynamics, communication, burnout, and clinic operations. Instead of navigating leadership challenges alone, members get direct access to Andy’s insight along with the support of a community of veterinary professionals working through many of the same challenges.

Join Dr. Andy Roark for Office Hours at the Uncharted Veterinary Community!

Don't Get Sued Course

Learn More about the Don't Get Sued Course!

Practice Manager's Summit - Registration Now Open - June 2nd 2026 - $199 Registration

Veterinary practice managers carry the weight of the hospital every day, but you shouldn’t have to figure it all out alone. The Uncharted Veterinary Practice Manager Summit is a space built specifically for managers to connect, workshop real problems, and leave with tools that make leadership easier back in the clinic. If you’re a practice manager looking for fresh ideas and honest conversations, you belong in this room.

Register for the Practice Manager's Summit!

Veterinary practice owners often assume they’re doing well because revenue is up, but hidden inefficiencies and poor financial visibility can quietly drain profitability. In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark sits down with David McCormick of Simmons Veterinary Practice Sales and Appraisals to break down how veterinary practice valuation reveals what’s really happening inside your business and how to use it as a strategic planning tool, not just a sale metric. If you’ve ever wondered whether your practice is truly healthy or just getting by, this conversation gives you the clarity you’ve been missing.

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This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Uncharted Veterinary Conference. This content should not be considered financial, legal, or business advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals before making decisions related to their individual circumstances.

If your CSRs are escalating everything, it’s not a people problem, it’s a training problem. In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark and Maria Pirita, CPVM break down how to build confident, decision-making receptionists who reduce doctor interruptions, improve client experience, and keep your practice running efficiently. If you’re a veterinary leader tired of answering the same questions all day, this one’s for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Practice Manager's Summit - Registration Now Open - June 2nd 2026 - $199 Registration

Veterinary practice managers carry the weight of the hospital every day, but you shouldn’t have to figure it all out alone. The Uncharted Veterinary Practice Manager Summit is a space built specifically for managers to connect, workshop real problems, and leave with tools that make leadership easier back in the clinic. If you’re a practice manager looking for fresh ideas and honest conversations, you belong in this room.

Register for the Practice Manager's Summit!

Don't Get Sued Course

Learn More about the Don't Get Sued Course!

Office Hours

Inside the Uncharted Veterinary Community, Dr. Andy Roark hosts Office Hours where veterinary leaders can bring real-world challenges and get practical guidance from someone who understands the realities of practice life. These sessions give veterinarians, practice managers, and team leaders a chance to ask questions, workshop difficult situations, and gain perspective on issues like team dynamics, communication, burnout, and clinic operations. Instead of navigating leadership challenges alone, members get direct access to Andy’s insight along with the support of a community of veterinary professionals working through many of the same challenges.

Join Dr. Andy Roark for Office Hours at the Uncharted Veterinary Community!