Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Miles, DVM.
Hi Kristen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011 and began my career as a small animal general practitioner. For nine years, I worked in private practice, followed by a year in a corporate practice setting. In 2021, I transitioned to academia and joined the Frank Stanton Veterinary Spectrum of Care Clinic (SOCC) at OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
When the position opened, the search committee was looking for small animal general practice veterinarians with extensive experience in medicine, surgery, and dentistry—along with a passion for mentoring and teaching. It was the perfect fit at a point in my career when I was ready for the next step. I’ve always loved mentoring, and this role allows me to do just that.
At the clinic, I work alongside an incredible team of faculty, all of whom also came from general practice, and support staff who share our enthusiasm for teaching. It’s a unique blend of coaching veterinary students while continuing to work directly with clients and their pets—a combination that makes this work deeply rewarding.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Practicing veterinary medicine can be emotionally demanding. Some of the hardest moments in my career have been when both I and the client wanted to do everything possible for a pet, but the prognosis made success unlikely. Transitioning to academia brought a different set of challenges. I truly enjoy teaching, and developing effective teaching strategies has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Learning the many nuances of faculty responsibilities—especially the annual review process—came with a steep learning curve, but each year it has become more manageable.
We’ve been impressed with The Frank Stanton Veterinary Spectrum of Care Clinic, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At the SOCC, our mission is to prepare veterinary students to deliver a continuum of evidence-based care that balances client expectations and financial considerations. We want graduates to enter primary care practice confident and competent, ready to contribute to their practice and community from day one.
As faculty, we serve as coaches during the clinical year, guiding students as they take the lead on cases under our supervision. My clinical passion is dentistry, and while I manage a variety of outpatient cases, I place a strong emphasis on dental education within the clinic. In addition, I currently serve as interim medical director and am preparing to transition into the role permanently.
Beyond clinical-year teaching, I work closely with preclinical students (first through third year) during their SOCC shifts. They actively participate in patient care—collecting histories, collaborating with clinical-year students and veterinarians, assisting with handling, vaccinations, blood draws, and supporting procedures in the dental and surgery suites.
I also contribute to the preclinical curriculum through lectures on dentistry, leading Clinical Skills dental labs for all preclinical years, and volunteering as a Communication Lab Facilitator in the Communication and Collaboration Course. These roles allow me to integrate hands-on clinical training with foundational skills, ensuring students are well-prepared for the profession.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
For me, it all comes back to animals. I don’t have one single favorite memory because animals have always been a constant in my life. My parents had dogs and cats from the time I was born, so I’ve never known life without pets. Growing up surrounded by animals shaped who I am, and it feels completely natural that my calling has been to work with them.
Pricing:
- Our fees for exams, diagnostics, preventive care, treatments, surgery, and dentistry are competitive with most small animal general practices in the area.
- Because we are a teaching clinic, we prioritize client choice and transparency by offering a range of options along the spectrum of care—so pet owners can select what works best for their needs and budget.
- This approach not only supports our clients but also helps prepare future veterinarians to meet pet owners where they are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/locations/primary-care
- Phone number: 614-292-1573
