Up close and personal with Dr. Charles McMillan
When Dr. Charles McMillan first set foot in a vet’s office for a volunteer position, he found a passion for an industry that never left. At 14 years old, his volunteer time with a vet’s office quickly turned into a paid position, his first ever job, and a sign of what was to come.
Since then, Dr. McMillan has become a skilled veterinarian, graduating from the prestigious Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is currently a small animal practitioner, and has shared his knowledge through presentations on the national level as well as sitting on an editorial and scientific advisory board.
An avid reader, Dr. McMillan’s favorite books include The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould and The Dog’s Mind by Bruce Fogle. One of his favorite areas of his home is the part of it filled with books.
One of the biggest problems he sees in the veterinary industry is the lack of representation of different races in the field. White men and women make up the vast majority of veterinarians. If you aspire to become a veterinarian and never see someone like yourself working the job you want to have, it can put up a barrier to achieving your dreams before you even get there.
He’s also concerned about how difficult it is to find proper staff to keep a veterinary office running smoothly. He worries this is a sign of a growing problem, and that change needs to happen in order to stop this from occurring.
Care needs to be taken with everyone from the receptionist all the way up to the Veterinarian to make sure they can do their jobs safely, comfortably, and well. This means finding ways to reduce stress, but also getting the proper equipment for them so they have the tools needed to do their job.
Dr. McMillan also believes there is greater work to be done culturally as well. He hopes the country can eventually become a true meritocracy, and that the world can move forward into something truly multicultural.
This can be done through creating a culture of understanding. The more empathy we have for each other, the better the world has the potential to become. When we’re more empathetic to those around us, we’ll be in a better position to reach out a helping hand to lift them up.
Dr. McMillan admires the human ability to work together in large groups, and our ability to adapt. He believes that is possible to reach a true meritocracy, and hopes to be a part of that evolution. Today, Dr. McMillan has a keen interest in human behavior, and discussing race in the veterinary industry through social media, blogs, and magazines.
His life goal is to better the lives of his children, and to keep both his family and his legacy in mind when making important decisions. As a rising star in the field of veterinary medicine, he is well on his way to reaching those goals for his life.