WELCOMING the returning president

A conversation with Dr. Richard Sutliff

Dr. Richard Sutliff, DVM, was installed as the 94th president of the FVMA in March of this year. Unlike previous years, there was no pomp or an Annual Awards Ceremony. There was no FVMA Annual Conference or any of the usual flair. Like so many other firsts over the past year, for the first time in FVMA history, a previous president was returning to the helm—and he did so quietly.

The business-minded new president slid into the old role with ease, welcoming René Plasencia as the new executive director while presiding over numerous important meetings. While the circumstances are new, the stresses of leadership are old hat to this seasoned pro.

Dr. Sutliff obtained professional experience in numerous roles and decided to pursue his DVM. After a few years of associate practice, Dr. Sutliff purchased Scott Mill Animal Hospital in 2003, which he operated for many years with his wife, Kay. He became active in organized veterinary medicine in 2004, serving as secretary of the Jacksonville Veterinary Medical Society (JVMS) for two years. He then served as vice president from 2007-2008, then as president in 2008. Veterinarians in Northeast Florida selected him to serve as the District 2 Representative on the FVMA Executive Board in 2010. Dr. Sutliff served a year as president-elect of the FVMA in 2015, president in 2016 and past president in 2017.

FVMA: Tell us about your experience so far with the FVMA.

Dr. Sutliff: I have been a member since I was a student at the University of Florida (UF) in the late 1990’s. Sadly, I am not sure I understood what “organized veterinary medicine” was upon the completion of my formal training. Once I was established in Jacksonville, Dr. Russ Snyder came to my clinic and informed me that I would be attending a local association meeting that week. Once I became involved on the local level and served in JVMS leadership, I was offered the opportunity to serve on the FVMA board and serve the veterinarians of the entire state. Over my years as the District 2 Representative and my previous three years in leadership, I was able to learn about the issues that affect our entire profession. During those years, I also saw how difficult it is to actually move issues in a positive direction in a timely manner.

FVMA: What made you interested in accepting the responsibilities of FVMA president for a second term?

Dr. Sutliff: I was honored that the current board believed I could once again help guide our association. The past year had placed many challenges in the path of veterinarians in our state. With the pandemic affecting the workloads of our members' businesses and their employees' lives, as well as the loss of my dear friend Philip Hinkle, I saw a unique situation where I could again offer some stability and historical insight as the FVMA navigated 2021.

FVMA: Tell us a little bit more about the unique circumstances leading to this second term.

Dr. Sutliff: Subsequent to my previous time in FVMA leadership, I sold my practice to my young associate Dr. Zack Moore. This transaction was the culmination of a long relationship dating back to Dr. Moore’s undergraduate summer employment in my kennels and treatment area of the clinic. The time was right for the passing of the ownership torch, and he is gracious enough to allow me to continue working a few days a week. This opened some time in my schedule, and I am excited to apply that time to this organization.

FVMA: What are some of the best experiences that stick out to you when talking about your past involvement with the FVMA?

Dr. Sutliff: There was always a pride in serving my colleagues in Florida. Seeing The Gulf Atlantic Veterinary Conference (TGAVC) move from being an idea to the awesome conference it has become is one. Passing legislation to exclude our prescription pet foods from state sales tax gave me insight into how things operate in our legislative process. Meeting all the members who serve and have served on the FVMA Board.

Dr. Sutliff and his family.

Image courtesy of Dr. Richard Sutliff.

FVMA: What are your thoughts on the impact of COVID-19 on the veterinary profession and the FVMA? How well do you think we’re handling it?

Dr. Sutliff: I see COVID-19’s impact on organized veterinary medicine as slightly different than the effect it has had on our practitioners in the field. The year seems to have increased the case load at the clinics our members are employed within. There were positives in the work flow as having curbside service and restricted work areas allowed for some more focused work to occur. The greatest downside to this work model was the opportunity lost for educating our patient’s owners. As far as COVID and organized veterinary medicine, it has caused us to have to be nimble and reactive to the daily changes in our state and nation. With the appropriate barriers to social and in-person educational interactions early in the pandemic much of our direct membership support was tested, and important changes were implemented as we leveraged our financial and intellectual resources at the FVMA. Now as we again return to healthy in-person interactions, there are long term changes in our association and in our world that will continue to offer opportunities to mature and stabilize the veterinary profession.

FVMA: What excites you the most about this second term? Do you have any goals for this year?

Dr. Sutliff: I am excited to see the FVMA grow with our new opportunities and also to see long term projects that I was involved with many years ago come to fruition. This year, I look forward to bringing quality CE to our members in additional areas of the state, making it more accessible. This provides a direct benefit to our patients in Florida.

FVMA: What are some current issues faced by Florida veterinarians, and what do you recommend is done about it?

Dr. Sutliff: We need to see that the future of our passion is being slowly chipped away by individuals and corporations who do not ultimately have the veterinarian, client nor patient as their primary focus. We need the newest members of this hallowed profession, including our youngest colleagues, to become aware of the long term risks and educate them about how being a member and participating in organized veterinary medicine is not only about working for the entire industry's future, but also directly working for their own individual future.

FVMA: What would you say to FVMA members who haven’t taken the time to be more involved?

Dr. Sutliff: This is your future. Help shape it to be the one you want and not the one someone else shapes it to be!

VETERINARY PRACTICE QUESTIONS

FVMA: What made you want to become a veterinarian?

Dr. Sutliff: My formal undergraduate focus was in organic chemistry and I did spend time in a major petrochemical company’s lab. After realizing the research lab was not something I wanted to spend a career in, my life and relationships led me to Kentucky and specifically the area of equine business. In a large change of focus, I worked in an equine and farm insurance agency for eight years and oversaw the care of many broodmares on a relative’s farm. Eventually, situations change, and I moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to help my sister and her husband start a new company. Eventually, my wife convinced me to return to school and pursue my dream of a medical career. Animal health was my interest so after spending some time working and taking additional classes at University of North Florida, I applied to UF and was accepted into the College of Veterinary Medicine when I was 36 years old.

Dr. Sutliff gives presentation at the 2021 Annual Conference.

Image by the FVMA.

FVMA: Tell us about your history in the veterinary field.

Dr. Sutliff: Following graduation, my wife’s Naval career moved us to North Chicago, Illinois. I ultimately took a position at Lake County Animal Emergency serving over 60 day-practices in the area. Not what I thought would be my path, but probably the best place I could have spent those formative years. I was exposed to more unusual medical situations and performed dozens of emergency surgeries that actually taught me what I actually did know… It allowed me to realize how well UF had actually trained my thought patterns and my skills. Upon our return to Jacksonville, I purchased a small animal practice and ran it as a solo practice for 13 years, eventually expanding it to a two-and-a-half doctor practice.

FVMA:What are some milestones you look back on fondly as a practicing veterinarian?

Dr. Sutliff: Performing 20 GDV surgeries in 24 months while early in my career at the emergency clinic. I have now seen three additional in private practice in the past 20 years. Otherwise, being chosen to participate in leadership of my local veterinary society and eventually the FVMA.

FVMA: How long did it take you after graduating to be truly comfortable as a practicing veterinarian?

Dr. Sutliff: About three months. The wonderful thing that built my confidence was the time spent in emergency practice. I was presented with patients, some who had life-threatening situations, and many did very well. Sadly, after two years of ER practice I had to do my first health spay in a four-pound yorkie… (there goes the comfort level).

FVMA: What advice do you have for veterinary school graduates in 2021?

Dr. Sutliff: Work some shifts at your local ER. You will be exposed to more cases that you need to see in a shorter amount of time, and this will solidify your understanding of just how well prepared you actually are to practice.

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

FVMA: Any pets currently at home?

Dr. Sutliff: One bottle raised, diabetic cat that is the only animal never allowed to enter my clinic due to his attitude outside the house.

FVMA: A fact about yourself that may surprise people:

Dr. Sutliff: I am actually a slight introvert.

FVMA: If I weren’t a veterinarian, I would probably be a:

Dr. Sutliff: A USCG certified captain.

FVMA: A good book or podcast you’ve been into lately:

Dr. Sutliff: Recently been reading biographies about Winston Churchill and Bob Dylan.

FVMA: Tell us about your family:

Dr. Sutliff: Wife: Kay (US Navy Retired), my rock. Daughter: Alicia (married in 2019 and expecting my first grandson in September). Son: Blake (graduated with his electrical engineering degree and married in 2019).

Dr. Sutliff and his wife out for a hike.

Image courtesy of Dr. Richard Sutliff.

Dr. Sutliff and his wife at their daughter's wedding.

Image courtesy of Dr. Richard Sutliff.