PAC MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS••••••••
DAVID RETHORST, DVM Beef Health Solutions Wamego, Kansas Dr. Dave Rethorst has been in veterinary practice for more than 44 years and has owned and operated Beef Health Solutions for the past 5 years. Based in the northern end of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Dr. Rethorst travels the northern half of Kansas plus small portions of eastern Colorado and south-central Nebraska. His practice is centered on four core values: caring, serving, leading, and empowering. Dr. Rethorst shared, “My practice is unique in that I spend time in four practices, in addition to having a cow-calf clientele that I call my own. The time spent in the four practices is centered around mentoring young veterinarians in beef cattle production and population medicine. This takes on several forms including face-to-face mentoring, mentoring via numerous phone calls, helping with herd work, or in some cases, relief work so they can get some time away from the practice. At the end of the day, it is about helping young veterinarians with knowledge and skill sets that they were not comfortable with coming out of veterinary school.” In many ways, Dr. Rethorst is following in the footsteps of his mentors in veterinary school: Dr. Dan Upson, Dr. Horst Leipold, and Dr. Al Edwards. He reflected, “All three were very willing to share their knowledge, told you what they really thought, and exhibited common sense and practicality.”
SPENCER THOMPSON, DVM Midwest Veterinary Services Marthasville, Missouri
After practicing veterinary medicine for six years, Dr. Spencer Thompson started his own ambulatory cattle practice, Midwest Veterinary Services, two years ago in Marthasville, Missouri. His practice covers the state of Missouri and parts of eastern Kansas. Record keeping and client education are two passions of Dr. Thompson. He shared, “My goal is to have my clients be confident enough to make the correct medical evaluations and decisions when problems arise in their herds. We use accurate treatments in combination with records and analysis to increase profitability and sustainability.” Dr. Thompson appreciates the people of the beef industry and enjoys spending each day with honest, hard-working men and women who have a passion for their land and livestock. He also likes the variety that comes with practicing veterinary medicine. “The variety is a blessing and a curse. Although never knowing what the next phone call will be keeps me from being on time, it does keep me from getting bored.” He encourages other young veterinarians to be available to their clients. “Most of the time when the phone rings, it's a simple question that can be handled relatively quickly. Your clients are making their livelihood off those livestock. Take pride in the fact that they value your opinion and advice.” 56 member highlight
