#030: VET MED - The Galaxy Way, Systemically Preventing Veterinary Burnout with Dr. Ivan Zak

Vet Med Wellness + Leadership

Dr. Ivan Zak joined the field with a passion for ER medicine, but 6 years of overworking himself led to intense and crippling burnout. Dr. Zak described burnout as a total loss of joy with no escape. No matter what he tried to do, the feeling of disconnection and cynicism plagued him. Now he is motivated to build an organization that will systematically prevent veterinary burnout.
Galaxy Vets, founded by Dr. Zak is a veterinary healthcare system co-owned by its employees. This system entails at least 6 partner hospitals and an ER with a simple lab at the center. He calls this the “Solar System”. The connection of these hospitals will allow flexibility and fluidity of its employees for the entire system, making room for opportunities to move around positions, work in telehealth, seamless filling for employee leave periods, and more. Additionally, with hospitals and ER connected, patients can be referred to emergency and specialty care as soon as they need it and not before they’ve overspent on basic care at their regular clinic.
Top-of-the-market salary, No non-competes, No commission-based pay, Equity in the company, and Burnout Prevention are just some of the extrinsic motivators for Galaxy Vets. Their purpose is to prevent and decrease burnout in the veterinary domain and they have defined their two missions as returning veterinary medicine back to veterinary professionals and providing access to care. These cover big problems in the veterinary industry for both employees and clients!
One thing I love about this model and Dr. Zak's work is just how data-driven every piece is. If you are an employee in a clinic environment, please take the Burnout Survey linked in the show notes to help Dr. Zak’s mission. Galaxy Vets is sure to experience a ton of growth in the next year, so check out their website and follow them on social media. I can’t wait to check back in with Dr. Zak and Galaxy Vets.
What’s Inside:

• What is burnout?
• What are the consequences of burnout?
• How Galaxy Vets are systematically preventing veterinary burnout?
• Motivating Veterinary Professionals with a unique business model.
• How removing commission-based pay can change the veterinary industry.

Mentioned In This Episode:

Galaxy Vets
Please participate in the Burnout Survey:
The Emotional Toll of Financial Stress, Work Environment, and Euthanasia
Follow Galaxy Vets online:
Galaxy Vets on Facebook
Galaxy Vets on LinkedIn
Galaxy Vets (@galaxyvets) on Instagram
Galaxy Vets (@GalaxyVets) on Twitter