Episode Details

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This month on Blunt Dissection, host Dr. Dave Nicol quizzes the wondrous mind of veterinarian, comedian, author, and cancer survivor Dr. Sarah Boston.

Dr. Sarah Boston graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1996. After graduating Dr. Sarah went on to complete a rotating internship at the University of Guelph before returning to the West of Canada and working in general practice for 3 years. 

Following this, Dr. Boston returned to the University of Guelph for a residency and to complete her DVSc in small animal surgery, which she gained in 2003. One year later Sarah became board-certified with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons before completing a Fellowship in Surgical Oncology in 2005. 

Taking a break from studying, Sarah joined the faculty at the University of Guelph for 5 years before moving to the University of Florida where she was an Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology for 5 years.

Moving back to Canada, Sarah started the Surgical Oncology Service at 404 Veterinary Emergency & Referral in Newmarket.

Alongside her role as a veterinarian and career in academia, Sarah is also the Past-President of the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology and is the author of numerous articles and chapters on surgical oncology and her book ‘Lucky Dog: How Being a Veterinarian Saved My Life’ a hilarious and heartwarming memoir.

Working as a large animal veterinarian in Toronto, Sarah has recently dived into a new passion of hers… Stand-up comedy and is currently enrolled in Humber College – Comedy school!

In this episode, Dr. Dave and Dr. Sarah delve into Sarah’s past and learn what has shaped her to become the person she is today, from living on her own at 15 to ‘crazy’ patients in Florida, clown costumes, and a cancer scare, this episode reflects the life of Dr. Sarah Boston. 

Outline of this episode:

• [03:00] The episode kicks off with Dr. Dave asking Sarah about ‘Earl’ her Australian Heeler x German Shepherd cross puppy. 
• [06:43] Dave asks Sarah, how did you find your way into veterinary medicine?
• [08:37] Dr. Dave asks Dr. Sarah if there was a moment in her life that spurred her into veterinary medicine. 
• [10:41] What input did Sarah’s parents have on her?
• [13:39] How did Sarah’s independence in her teen years, share her into the person she is today?
• [14:33] Sarah talks about how her father saw veterinary medicine as her ‘vocational ticket’. Sarah and Dave discuss inflation. 
• [17:59] Dave asks Sarah what was the best and worst residency application she has reviewed?
• [20:00] Trigger warning: Dave and Sarah discuss suicide within the profession. 
• [22:53] Is everyone more entitled and selfish now? 
• [27:45] Sarah and Dave talk about trends in referrals.
• [30:45] Will there be a readjustment in the workflow post covid? Sarah discusses telemedicine. 
• [34:36] What does Sarad use to make her life easier, post covid?
• [39:32] How best shall we utilize telehealth?
• [45:45] What was the weirdest thing to happen to Dr. Sarah during a consultation?
• [50:07] Why did Dr. Sarah leave Florida to go back to Canada?
• [50:52] What pushed Dr. Sarah to specialize in Surgical Oncology?
• [54:27] Dealing with tough clients. 
• [58:51] How do you dismiss clients?
• [61:42] What was Dr. Sarah’s reason for writing ‘Lucky Dog’?
• [1:06:10] Dave asks Sarah about her experience with comedy and thyroid cancer. 
• [1:14:19] Sarah gives an example of an improv exercise that could help communication. 
• [1:18:42] What’s the best piece of advice Dr. Sarah has ever received?
• [1:23:15] Dr. Sarah tells us the worst advice she’s ever received. 
• [1:25:01] What is the most inspiring book Dr. Sarah has read?
• [1:26:51] Dr. Sarah talks about her memoir, ‘Lucky Dog’ and her husband Steve. 
• [1:29:30] Sarah shares a funny story about her time in Florida. 
• [1:31:51] What one bit of advice would Dr. Sarah give herself at graduation?
• [1:33:34] If you could send one Instagram post to the world, what would it be?
• [1:35:40] The episode wraps up, Dave thanks Sarah for coming on the show, and tells us where to find Dr. Sarah Boston on social media. 

Resources Mentioned:

• https://drsarahboston.com/ 

Connect with Dr. Sarah:

• https://drsarahboston.com/ 
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• LinkedIn