Bridging the Specialist Gap: How Virtual Consultations Transform Veterinary Practice Management Featuring Dr. Kenneth Pierce, EP 232
When Dr. Kenneth Pierce opened Veterinary Vision Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, he became the first permanent veterinary ophthalmologist in a region where pet owners had been driving three to four hours for specialty eye care. But addressing that local gap led him to recognize a much larger systemic problem: the nationwide shortage of veterinary specialists creates accessibility challenges that affect patient outcomes, strain general practitioners, and burden pet owners financially.
His solution, Vespecon, offers a scalable model for bridging the specialist gap through virtual consultations that empower general practitioners while improving care. For practice owners in any healthcare specialty looking at how to run a successful medical practice without burning out, Dr. Pierce's approach demonstrates how strategic delegation and access to expert support can transform both clinical outcomes and practice sustainability.
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Key Takeaways
The specialist shortage is real and growing: There's a significant gap between the number of general practitioners produced annually and the number of specialists across veterinary medicine—a disparity that will never catch up and leaves large regions underserved
Virtual consultation models work: Unlimited access to face-to-face specialist consultations empowers general practitioners to deliver elevated care locally, improving patient outcomes while reducing costs for pet owners
Trust is the foundation: When veterinarians can confidently say "I've consulted with a specialist, and here's the plan" instead of "I don't know," it strengthens the veterinarian-client relationship and leads to better compliance with treatment recommendations
Asking for support strengthens leadership: Whether it's clinical knowledge or business operations, seeking expert guidance isn't an abdication of responsibility—it's strategic leadership that prevents burnout and improves outcomes
Business support is clinical support: Addressing HR needs, financial planning, and leadership coaching helps practice owners focus on clinical excellence while building sustainable, profitable practices
Q&A
Why do veterinarians need access to specialist consultations? Most veterinary specialists concentrate in metropolitan areas, leaving vast regions of the country without local specialty care. This means pet owners face long drives, high costs, and delays in treatment. General practitioners often lack specialist guidance for complex cases, creating stress and potentially suboptimal outcomes.
How does Vespecon's virtual consultation model work? Veterinary practices can access unlimited face-to-face virtual consultations with specialists across all fields through a membership model. The personal, conversational approach allows specialists to educate and empower general practitioners, confirm they're on the right track, and provide specific guidance—all without the client needing to travel or pay specialist fees directly.
What's the business case for unlimited specialist access? When veterinarians have confidence and specialist backing, they can handle more cases locally, deliver better outcomes, and build stronger client trust. This leads to increased revenue, higher client loyalty, and better practice profitability—while simultaneously improving patient care and reducing costs for pet owners.
How does business advisory support help prevent veterinary practice burnout? Practice owners wear multiple hats—clinician, business owner, strategist, team leader, and more. Having access to HR support, financial advisors, and leadership coaching means they can focus on clinical excellence while experts handle business operations, team culture issues, and crisis management when needed.
Episode Highlights
Dr. Pierce's journey from wanting to be a doctor who didn't work on people to becoming a veterinary ophthalmologist
Why ophthalmology specifically appealed: the eye as a unique organ, microsurgery, and the variety of species
The reality of veterinary specialist shortages and geographic concentration in metropolitan areas
How Vespecon removes the barrier of saying "I don't know" for general practitioners
The uncomfortable reality of financial discussions in veterinary care and how specialist guidance eases that stress
Why asking for business support isn't abdication—it's strategic leadership
The importance of "hat switching" between clinician and business owner roles
Business advisory services including HR, financial guidance, and leadership coaching for veterinary practices
How treating a goldfish's eye problem demonstrates the breadth of veterinary ophthalmology
The ripple effects of better access: improved outcomes, cost savings, reduced stress, and stronger trust
Memorable Quotes
"There's got to be a better way and a more personal approach—specialists you're talking to should be fully invested, not just someone on the other line who may not answer your questions appropriately."
"With the membership, veterinarians have unlimited consultations. We recommend they don't even charge the client for that. Get the knowledge, deliver that elevated level of pet care, and clients will spend more money, be more loyal, and you'll have better patient outcomes."
"The vulnerability of saying 'I don't know' is taken away. That barrier is gone. Veterinarians have access, they can do more, and they prove themselves as stellar veterinarians—they just need a little guidance, not being a specialist."
"Asking for support and accepting support is not an abdication of your responsibility as a business owner and as a leader. It's actually a sign of strength that supports your leadership."
"You gotta lighten your load. You got enough stuff on your plate already. Life doesn't stop happening when we go to work, and if we own a business, it doesn't stop happening when we leave the building either."
Whether you're a veterinarian, physician, dentist, or any other healthcare practice owner, Dr. Pierce's model offers valuable lessons about identifying systemic gaps and creating solutions that serve everyone in the care continuum. The principle applies universally: when you remove barriers to knowledge, empower practitioners with expert support, and address both clinical and business needs holistically, you create sustainable practices that prevent burnout while improving patient outcomes. If you're ready to explore how strategic support can transform your practice, join the Thriving Practice Community where we help independent practice owners build profitable, sustainable businesses without sacrificing their wellbeing.
Guest Bio:
Dr. Kenneth Pierce is a native New Orleanian. He received his undergraduate degree from Tuskegee University and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine and then traveled to Southern California to complete a specialty ophthalmology internship with Eye Care for Animals and B. Braun, Inc. He then completed a four-year comparative ophthalmology residency with a master’s degree at Michigan State University. Dr. Pierce started as an Associate Professor at LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine and then transitioned to private practice at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, NJ, Veterinary Eye Institute, in Plano, TX, and then started his own business, Veterinary Vision Center, in Shreveport, LA. After experiencing and working in an underserved area with limited access to veterinary specialty care, Dr. Pierce started VESPECON, a veterinary specialist to primary veterinarian advisory support, concierge referral service, and more! As you can see, Dr. Pierce has lived in every region of the United States and has gained valuable experience to educate and empower the veterinary community.
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