Career Spotlight: Heather Simon-Buonocore
This is the latest in a series of interviews with Board-certified veterinary specialists of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) to share insights, knowledge and expertise about career opportunities, growth and development. Today we hear from newly Board-certified Veterinary Neurologist Dr. Heather Simon-Buonocore.
Dr. Heather Simon-Buonocore is a Board-certified Veterinary Neurologist working in private practice in New Jersey, where she spearheaded the creation of a neurology and neurosurgery department. She earned her VMD at The University of Pennsylvania in 2007 and subsequently completed a rotating small animal internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, NJ. Dr. Simon-Buonocore practiced as a general practitioner for ten years before pursuing a career in specialty medicine. In 2020, she completed a small animal neurology and neurosurgery internship at a specialty hospital in Texas prior to finishing her small animal neurology residency at The University of Tennessee in 2023. She achieved Board-certification in neurology and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) the same year.
What inspired you to become a Board-certified veterinary specialist?
I was a philosophy major in college and was always fascinated by the mind/body problem and the brain – what defines each of these and how they interact and function. I also loved various areas of logic, reductionism, and deductive reasoning to solve problems. It reminds me of the process I go through when I try to put together a complicated exam and neuro-localization. After veterinary school and internship, I became a general practitioner and loved the balance and variety. But overtime, I really craved a deeper knowledge base in a particular area. It was always the neurologic cases that excited me the most. Neurology is such a multidisciplinary field - incorporating medical neurology, neurosurgery, neuroimaging, neuro-ophthalmology - which is why it is so satisfying to me.
Are there any resources or pieces of advice that helped you along the way? Is there any advice you would specifically give to job seekers?
My path was certainly not a straightforward one. Before deciding to leave general practice, I remember reading a book by Sheryl Sandberg called Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. A quote in there that really inspired me was, “Still, my argument was that if she was going to work for the next thirty years, what difference does going ‘back’ four years really make? If the other path made her happier and offered her a chance to learn new skills, that mean she was actually moving forward.” My advice would be to stay open-minded and search for continued growth. I am not saying that everyone needs to leave their current career path in the pursuit of something different. But if you find yourself stagnant, it may be time to re-evaluate and try to widen your perspective in terms of long-term goals.
Is there a story or experience that stands out in your mind that reaffirmed your decision to work in specialty veterinary medicine?
While I was a general practitioner, I was looking at a video of a colleague’s patient with neurologic disease. I was at home and talking about the video out loud, to myself really. But my husband commented, “I have never seen you so incredibly happy about your work. You are so excited any time you talk of something related to neurology - not just helping the patient and client but the actual work itself.” It was his observation and encouragement and the support of various other colleagues that reaffirmed my decision to go back and pursue specialty medicine.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
Coffee first, then neurology. That slogan was on a coffee mug gifted to me, which made me laugh. But is very true. I usually arrive at work early to check on any inpatients I may have. Then we have formal doctor rounds which are quite extensive. It is one of the things I love about our hospital. The various emergency doctors, specialists and interns in attendance are actively listening and ready to participate and help with all patients in the hospital. Afterwards, I assess any patients for drop off procedures for MRI and CSF taps, see appointments (new consults and/or rechecks) and I am available to take in various emergencies including surgical cases. Sometimes I leave at dinner time but other nights I am in surgery until midnight. As the solo neurologist my day is predictably unpredictable!
What do you consider one of your career successes? How did you achieve it?
I consider starting a neurology service from the ground up right after residency one of my career successes. Of course, we are still in the nascent stages of creating the service so there are still some growing pains. And I would never say I achieved this on my own. I had a lot of advice from various colleagues around the country. Most of them were specialists in neurology but also anesthesiologists, radiologists, practice owners, imaging technologists and a radiation oncologist, to name a few. I also had help from the current employees at the hospital. I am deeply indebted to the kindness and advice from my fellow colleagues. And I’m excited to see where the future will take us!
What do you consider a challenge you’ve faced in your career? How did you overcome it?
It was a big challenge to enter specialty medicine after a 10-year hiatus. I knew that making my way back would require time, dedication, and patience. I tried to be resourceful and reach out to local specialists. If there were no opportunities for shadowing, I tried to inquire, utilize my time off, visit hospitals, meet with colleagues, and create my own opportunities at various institutions. I tried to remember that even though I have much experience in the veterinary world, I am not entitled to anything. I also tried to remember that in order to learn anything new we have to risk looking stupid and to not get discouraged. This notion kept me humble.
What impact has the ACVIM had in shaping your career?
ACVIM has an incredible network of people to help you achieve your career goals. Throughout the last four years I definitely reached out to various folks in the college for help or instructions. And no matter how trivial my questions, they were always gracious and kind. It’s also nice to have the camaraderie of colleagues in oncology, cardiology, and internal medicine along the same path. I noticed this especially during residency when preparing for general board exams.
Since becoming a Diplomate last year, how has your perspective as a veterinarian changed?
It’s pretty silly, but I think I had the impression that specialists know everything and once you achieve board-certification you are this magical being with all the answers. Of course, now on the other side of things, I realize that even as a specialist there is always so much to learn. And there are still going to be those cases that vex and elude us.
What advice do you have for those aspiring to become Diplomates?
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears,” is a quote by Nelson Mandela I like often repeat to myself. I would say that no matter what your background or your path, if you have the desire achieve more, please don’t let the fear of failure stop you. This may require some persistence and patience, but not trying is definitely worse than failing, in my humble opinion.
Finally, what is something unique about your career, or career path?
My circuitous path to achieve specialization is fairly unique. But I have no regrets about my individual journey. In fact, I am incredibly grateful for my 10 years as a general practitioner. I think it gave me a unique outlook and a way to help bridge the gap between general practitioner and specialist for the best care of the patient.
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