To My Valued Colleagues...
It has been almost six years since I opened Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center with the goal of establishing a superior resource for specialty/emergency veterinary care. I am proud to say that we have successfully treated thousands of patients for a variety of medical and surgical needs. Our staff grew to over 100 employees as we met the demands of our caseload without compromising the excellence of our care. I am grateful for the loyal support of so many of you through these initial years. Our profession is changing at lightning speed. The demand for talented veterinary specialists, emergency doctors and technicians is unprecedented. Technology has come to the forefront, as more pet owners seek sophisticated treatment options. It is an exciting, academically challenging and personally rewarding time to be practicing veterinary medicine. Rapid growth within our profession creates a number of business and financial realities. Specialty/emergency hospitals will be faced with significant challenges in the areas of management, technology and staffing if they want to practice "best medicine." As caseloads increase from referring veterinarians and the general public, the need for better, more inclusive communication becomes paramount.
BrightHeart Veterinary Centers
KBVC's reputation for excellence in veterinary care has opened an exciting door for us. We have agreed to become one of the initial anchor hospitals for a national network of advanced care specialty veterinary hospitals. I was offered, and accepted, a leadership role in achieving the mission that BrightHeart has set for itself. As director of practice management, I will share the knowledge gained in developing and managing KBVC with an impressive team of talented, compassionate and highly successful individuals. Our vision calls for investment in technologies that will allow us to collaborate closely with you, the referring veterinarian, and offer state of-the-art medical solutions for patients. We are also committed to significantly improving the entire referral experience for general practitioner veterinarians and their clients.
Innovations Under Development
BrightHeart has already made some substantial investments in the area of information technology. We are now part owners in a software company that is developing a customized system to address our mutual needs in the referral relationship. I'd like to share some of the exciting technological developments that will be available to you in the near future:
- Immediate notification when an appointment is made by one of your clients
- Automatic generation of reports and case summaries
- Secure, customized portals for DVM access to patient data and specialist communications
- Interactive database for educational purposes, research opportunities and your own use
- Convenient teleconferences for continuing education
- New processes that reduce wait time and nurture the client relationship
We have many more initiatives underway, including internship and residency programs, creative affiliations with veterinary universities, and community outreach programs to promote better wellness for pets. I hope you can see that BrightHeart is not just another veterinary organization. We are looking at this industry with the future in mind, and committing a wealth of intellectual and financial resources to our mission:
Highest standards. Exceptional care. Healthier pets.
Over the coming weeks and months you will receive additional referral materials and information from BrightHeart. Please let us know if you have any suggestions that can help improve the referral experience. We look forward to working with you for the benefit of your patients and clients.
Sincerely,
Alan E. Green, DVM Director of Practice Management
