Why Dr. Milligan chose Banfield
As Dr. Sherrelle Milligan knows well, it’s never too late to change career paths. We had a wonderful conversation with her about what led her to pursue general practice, her top advice for veterinarians starting in their careers, and what she loves about her work at Banfield.
Tell us about yourself:
I had an untraditional path to veterinary medicine. I am a proud graduate of Tuskegee University, which I attended for both undergrad and veterinary school. After veterinary school, with the intent to become a boarded Laboratory Animal Medicine veterinarian and researcher, I completed a dual residency-Ph.D. program at Texas A&M University. In this role, I realized I missed the clinician and pet owner relationship. The research field was not for me and I decided to pursue general practice, which was the best decision I've made for my career. Before Banfield, I experienced both large and small veterinary practices and ultimately found Banfield to be the perfect fit.
Why did you choose Banfield?
I chose Banfield for several reasons:
- Banfield offers many benefits, including a human resources department. I knew that equity, inclusion, and diversity were priorities and my voice would be heard.
- Practicing quality veterinary medicine is important to me and seeing how engrained quality is at Banfield makes it a great place to work. We all bring quality to life and Banfield supports this with resources and training.
- I knew Banfield was supportive. If there was anything I ever needed help with clinically, I have other doctors and my field leaders to turn to for support and insight.
What does your day-to-day look like?
I have at least three procedures almost every day. Many of these are dental prophies, but I also perform soft tissue procedures as well, including spays, neuters, mass removals, and cystotomies. My team is so competent and well trained in anesthesia and recovery, enabling me to really focus on delivering high-quality care.
In addition to procedures, I also see many cats and dogs for routine comprehensive preventative care exams and sick visits. I also see rabbits from time to time and would love to see more!
Do you have any tips for veterinarians just starting out?
I wish someone would have told me that I wasn't the only one coming out of school incredibly excited to start my career but also feeling the pressure I put on myself to be the best doctor I could be. As new grads, you have the skills and training to excel. Believe in yourself and lean on those around you – there’s so much we can learn from one another! Secondly, the veterinary field is large, and you can do so many things with your degree. Never feel like you're stuck in one career path even if you’ve spent a lot of time in it. You can always try new things to find what you’re truly passionate about.
What is the best advice you have been given?
A good mentor of mine once told me I had "quiet strength." He was essentially telling me not to change who I am just to fit the profile of how others think a leader should look or behave. It helped me embrace the fact that I am a little soft-spoken at times as a strength rather than a weakness.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
I would love to go to Tahiti because of the beautiful skies and ocean.
