How Dr. Michael Rossi is crushing his goals

Dr. Michael Rossi isn't just a veterinarian - he is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist and the Director of Clinical Studies at Coastal Veterinary Dermatology & Ear Clinic, a busy practice in southeast Houston, Texas.

He spends most of his days looking at diseases of the skin, coat, ears and claws in pets, and working with owners to help create treatment plans for their pet’s issues. He is one of the best in his field, but he's not just a devoted veterinary professional, he's also an intriguing character with a tremendous passion for preparing international cuisine.

Dr. Rossi’s interest in food began at a young age in his parents’ kitchen. He was raised on the outskirts of New Orleans, Louisiana, one of the premier food destinations in the country. He also had the opportunity to visit the northern part of Italy when he was younger. During summers, he was invited to work alongside the chefs at the Lido di Verona restaurant in Verona, Italy and it greatly influenced his passion for preparing dishes. Those experiences helped him become fluent in Italian. A northern Italian influence still colors the food he prepares for friends and family today.

“There’s something about preparing a proper dish that is like sculpting a piece of artwork,” he said about becoming a chef. “It has to look enticing and beautiful. Something to draw you in and intrigue you and not just be flavorful! It’s one of the best ways to express who you are and your creativity. It’s also very therapeutic to me to be able to spend time in the kitchen and use my imagination on the plate.”

This passion for food may also have inspired who he looks up to in life, including Chef Gordon Ramsay, a celebrity chef famous for incredible cuisine, high expectations, and fiery temper. Dr. Rossi admires Chef Ramsay because he pays attention to detail in every aspect of his cooking—something Dr. Rossi can really appreciate as a veterinary dermatologist.  Dr. Rossi aspires to travel around the world for work as Gordon Ramsay does, seeing new sights, tasting new flavors, and re-imagining the world itself on a plate.

Although Dr. Rossi chose veterinary medicine over becoming a chef, he is still passionate about creating new dishes in his spare time. He loves creating new styles of cuisine, but also treating pets and helping owners figure out a progressive treatment program for their animals. 

We recently caught up with him to learn more his veterinary experience.

Why I love dermatology:

Dermatology is such a great field! It’s so progressive and is always evolving. Not only Is the skin the largest organ of the body, it is one of the only systems that you can see without having to do any cutting! It really was the science behind the field that attracted me to it the most. There are so many things that can go wrong at many different levels of the skin and I like the challenge that these processes bring with the specialty. Communicating with owners about the different options they have for their loved ones with skin issues is truly rewarding. Every day is a new adventure in dermatology!

Easiest career decision I made:

It would have to be starting my own dermatology practice. I had worked for a couple of corporate practices after I obtained my veterinary degree and our vision for patient care was miles apart. You really get tired of being pulled into the medical director’s office for not selling 10 bottles of shampoo in a day only to be told that you need to find a reason to do this. That isn’t how we should be practicing veterinary medicine. We should use our knowledge to know when a patient needs a specific treatment, not just to make a sale.  

Books that left a last impression on me: 

I am an avid non-fiction reader and I love history. The book I read last was called “In Harm’s Way” by Doug Stanton. It details several accounts of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, which is the ship that delivered the atomic bombs near the end of the second World War. I can only imagine what it would have been like to be floating in the middle of the ocean while your shipmates were being attacked one by one by sharks. 

How I clear my head after a stressful day:

I will typically pour a glass of wine and spend time cooking in the kitchen. You really forget to think about the hard parts of the day while you are focusing on creating things. I will also spend some time in my study with a good history book or watch the History Channel or Food Network.

Advice for my younger self:

Definitely keep your eye on the prize. It is a difficult road with so many twists and turns ahead, but it will get you to where you want to be and make you a better person. I’ve always been a fighter when it comes to the things I wanted in life and I have worked hard for everything I have achieved. So, stick with it and you will get there … eventually! 

What everyone should try once in their lifetime:

Visiting another country. I had the opportunity last year to lecture about dermatology at the Beijing Agricultural University. I never thought that I would ever travel to or see China. It truly was an amazing trip. The people were so friendly and the food was fantastic!

My hero growing up:

I was lucky enough to have two heroes growing up: my mother and my father. They both had full time jobs, but they also taught my two brothers and I the ways of the world. We owe a lot to them for everything they did for us. They always made sure that they spent time with us and that we learned what we needed to succeed. 

The biggest problem facing the veterinary field today is:

In my opinion, it has to be the state of mental health in the veterinary industry. In recent years, veterinary medicine has seen a sharp increase in the numbers of suicide cases. Many veterinarians suffer from compassion fatigue and don’t have a healthy work/life balance. I am a big proponent of mental health wellness in our field. We all need to step back and take time for ourselves to relax, whether it is through counseling, vacationing, or meditation (or cooking). I find that distancing yourself from your work for that short period of time will help reenergize and benefit you and your patients in the long run.