Dr. Marlena Lopez is checking all her happiness boxes

Ernest Hemingway famously said, “Every man has two deaths. One when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name."

This quote is an excellent reminder.

It encourages us to slow down, pause, and think deeply about the legacy we want to leave behind as veterinarians. One day, when all is said and done, what mark will you have left on the world?

That is the question Dr. Marlena Lopez ponders.

As a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Zoologist, and the 2020 Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) award winner for Veterinary Business Thought Leader of the Year, she is making an impact every single day. Whether it’s re-homing neglected and unwanted animals through charity shelters or educating her 69.5K Instagram followers on veterinary_adventures, Marlena’s legacy continues to grow.

Today on Vet Candy, we introduce readers to the phenomenal Dr. Marlena Lopez!

Know the Difference: People Pleasing vs. People Helping

Like many of us, Dr. Lopez wants to do good.

The veterinary population is comprised of people who are very helpful by nature. We love to make our patients (and their families) feel better!

But the unfortunate reality is, sometimes others will try to take advantage of this kindness.

Dr. Marlena Lopez explains:

“Over the past couple of years, I’ve learned that being a people-pleaser is not the same thing as being a people-helper. It is okay to say ‘no’ to requests that interfere with your goals, passions, beliefs, or even your schedule. Healthy boundaries can help you avoid situations in which you may feel taken advantage of and protect the time dedicated to your personal wellbeing.”

How true this is…

Navigating a healthy work-life balance can be tricky. However, it’s necessary. Otherwise, we put ourselves at risk for burnout as well as physical and mental health problems down the road.

Fortunately, Dr. Lopez has figured out how to be kind – but not a pushover!

“I believe that kindness is contagious and when you treat people well, you are more likely to receive kindness in return,” she says. “I attribute a lot of my success in my professional and personal life to the positive relationships I have with those around me.”

By setting and adhering to healthy boundaries and relying on advice and support from senior colleagues, mentors, and practice managers, she’s showing us the way.

We can all learn how to say “yes” to others without saying “no” to ourselves.

Having Open Conversations About Vet School

Did you know?

The acceptance rate for veterinary school is low. In fact, veterinarian programs are highly competitive and notorious for rejecting applicants. Even those with stellar grades and amazing volunteer and work experience.

Therefore, getting accepted is a huge achievement.

However, not everyone has an A+ veterinary school experience. On the contrary, some students feel it is the most stressful, unhappy, lonely time of their life.

Dr. Marlena Lopez shares:

“The most agonizing career decision I ever made was attending the University of Melbourne for vet school. Vet school was a bunch of highs and lows. There were times where I had so much to study that I didn’t go outside besides walking between classes for weeks, and times when I was so overwhelmed and stressed that I didn’t think I was going to make it through the semester.”

Of course, stress around heavy coursework occurs at every school.

That being said, Dr. Lopez believes some schools offer a better student experience than others.

“What I wish I had done before choosing a school was chat with a few different vet students from each school and ask them what their experiences were like, if they liked their faculty, what support the faculty offers students, etc.,” she says.

Luckily, we now have Veterinary Adventures to turn to!

On her page, Marlena offers real and honest advice and tips to pre-vet students. Plus, she writes educational content for pet owners and animal lovers.

Both in-person and online, Dr. Marlena Lopez is building her legacy!