For the next installment of our VEGgie Talk blog series, we had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with Dee Motloenya, LVT & Shift Lead at VEG in Greenville, SC and getting her take on all things emergency med.
Dee, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us. Tell us about your journey into veterinary medicine.
I have always been in vet med. I have only had one other job outside of vet med at a clothing store that lasted about one month—and that’s it! I received my LVT license from Tri-County Technical College.
How about your journey into emergency medicine?
I just fell into it. Because of the way that my schedule worked while in tech school, I was already working at a general practice. We had to do an externship for our classes, and I ended up doing it at an ER because I wanted different kinds of experiences. I took to it very well, and never left!
What is your role at VEG?
We just opened up the location in Greenville, SC about 4 months ago and I came in starting with that location. We recently began hiring Shift Leads, and I put my name in the hat and got it! This is my first experience in a leadership space. As a Shift Lead, I am focused on keeping order on the floor and making sure that everyone knows what their job is when they come in. I am responsible for being aware of not just one case, but who is working on which case, which doctors are working on what etc. Essentially, I am a help to whoever needs it. I answer questions, and I’m there to help staff get training. I still get my hands dirty and jump into active cases that need an extra hand. Even last night—myself and a new assistant who just got into ER said to me, “Wow, we had so much to do last night…”, to which I said, “Yup, and there will be more to come!”
Tell us about your experience working with VEG.
When I started at VEG, I had pretenses about the open concept and people seeing how I was operating on the floor, and thinking to myself, “How will this work?”. There were also some pre-conceived ideas about leadership, and the people you work with because I have had many experiences in different practices. Sometimes, there will be toxic energy or issues with management. But honestly, it’s been a really good experience at VEG. I have not met any members of management that have gone to great lengths to help get us what we need when we need it—whether at work or not. For example, I just recently had my car break down and one of the hospital managers in Asheville came and picked me up. I am in awe of the lengths that they will go to make sure everyone gets what they need.
Do you feel like VEG empowers you as a Black professional within the vet med industry, and if so, how?
VEG has DEI resources which I love for the fact that they provide awareness about all of the types of diversity and people out there in the industry. Regarding how I’ve been treated as a Black female in the vet med industry, I have been very appreciative. The more “you” you are, the better. For example, I am first generation American—part of my family is from the UK and the other part is from the West Indies (St. Vincent). When I talk about that, everyone is so engaged and willing to be open. There is a lot of emotional intelligence and openness to hearing me in situations where I see something that may have racial biases, and I don’t feel like I’m being cut off or not heard. It’s been a breath of fresh air. I’m also being given so many opportunities to rise up and evolve.
I just got into Clemson for Pre-Vet and will be starting classes January 9th, 2024. VEG has told me that whatever I need, they have me. I need a mentor? They have me. That has been awesome in helping me to think long-term about where I see myself after I complete vet-school and how that looks for me. I’m in awe of the help that I’ve been given. They’ve already told me that they will work around my school schedule. VEG is the first place that I could look at a long-term plan for myself within the veterinary space. Honestly, before I applied to vet school, I was burnt out and was going to leave and pursue nursing. My fiancée told me, “You’re not going to do that. Vet med is your thing and that is who you are. Do that and be about that. If there is anything you want to do that you’re afraid—then do it. Be delusional.” So, I applied to Clemson, got in, and it’s been continuing on from there!
What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone aspiring to get into ER Med?
Don’t rush to do everything at once in the beginning. You will burn yourself out. It all sounds exciting. In ER, you’re never going to get the same urinary blockage, or DKA. It will always be something different. Even last night, I had an allergic reaction that turned out more severe than we anticipated. Everything will always be different but take it one step at a time. If you’re just learning, just learn things one step at a time and enjoy the learning process. I’ve seen it too often where people rush into wanting to get to a certain level right away, but it doesn’t work like that. Enjoy the learning process, the excitement, and the busyness of ER.
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