Gretchen Dillon-Sauer, Named South Carolina Veterinary Hospital Employee of the Year

COLUMBIA, SC—The South Carolina Association of Veterinarians (SCAV) has named Gretchen Dillon-Sauer, MBA, CVPM, the 2014 South Carolina Veterinary Hospital Employee of the Year. Dillon-Sauer was recognized at a banquet recently held as part of the SCAV Annual Conference in Spartanburg.

The Veterinary Hospital Employee of the Year is presented to staff person who has served the community and veterinary staff in such a way as to exemplify the highest ideals of the profession. Ms. Dillon-Sauer was nominated by Brett Feder, DVM, and Tracie Quick, DVM, of South Carolina Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Care in Columbia, SC. Ms. Dillon-Sauer has been with the veterinary hospital through all its transitions for more than 13 years and holds a master’s degree in business administration and is a certified veterinary practice manager, both obtained while working at the practice.

In nominating Ms. Dillon-Sauer, Drs. Feder and Quick summarized her many contributions the hospital over the years:

“Your right hand. The teammate you don’t want to go without. The one you depend on every day, for almost everything. This is what Gretchen Dillon-Sauer is for anyone who has the privilege of working with her.”

“She rose through every position in our veterinary practice (other than veterinarian) with tremendous success. The fact that at the same time she was still able to complete a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree and her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) status is simply an amazing feat. Earning her MBA was a special mark of achievement because she did it while maintaining a full-time management position AND starting a family, giving birth, raising two children, and acting as a foster parent for multiple SC children in the DSS system.

“We have been around several specialty and emergency practice managers, but we would truly stack Gretchen up against anyone in the nation. In fact, she is now giving CE lectures nationally to help others learn what she has figured out all by herself from that great teacher, the school of experience. She is a true South Carolina resource that we should be very proud of at the national level.

“As a manager she is fair but firm and has the rare ability to say hard things without causing division, to keep employees accountable while still supporting and encouraging them. It has been our honor and privilege to work with Gretchen for the past 13 years. This month marks that anniversary and when we say ‘honor’ and ‘privilege’ we really do mean those words. I have never worked with a person of such caliber, of such quality, of such dedication, as this one.”

The South Carolina Association of Veterinarians (SCAV), established in 1911, is a not-for-profit association representing more than 715 veterinarian members. The Association strives to advance the science and art of veterinary medicine by providing opportunities for professional education and development and by enhancing the relationships between veterinarians, agriculture, pet owners, government and the public at large; and to protect the public health by promoting proper involvement in human and animal health care by the veterinary profession. For additional information about SCAV, visit www.scav.org.