Follow Your Instincts with Dr. Steve Wills

Dr. Steve Wills is lifelong Kentuckian. He attended the University of Kentucky for undergrad and Auburn University for his Veterinary training, where he graduated from in 1983. Dr. Wills serves on the AVMA House of Delegates and is a Past President of the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association. He started his leadership journey on his local constituent organization; he describes that when the call for a volunteer presented itself he simply raised his hand and said yes. Getting involved in organized medicine reinvigorated Dr. Wills’ passion for our profession. He believes that being able to interface with colleagues from different areas of practice has been a great part of organized medicine. Steve and his wife Teresa are both veterinarians who started a practice (from the ground up) together in 1992. Owning a business was a goal of their marriage and has worked well for them. The Wills Animal Hospital is located at 3030 New Hartford Road in Owensboro, KY. Their practice is now 7 doctors strong, with 2 focused on equine medicine and the remainder working in the small animal arena. Steve focuses on equine work and says one secret to his marriage success has been not working in the exact same area of practice each day. He credits some of their success to not being new graduates when they started the practice. Dr. Wills credits his wife with helping him through the challenges of life. He says “I married the right woman for me”. The normal bumps and bruises of opening a practice were there, but Dr. Wills feels these are minimal compared to the recent graduates of today with major debt loads and a more saturated market.Steve is in the car a lot. His practice covers about a 60 mile radius and reminds us that is not necessarily profitable to spend that much time on the road. When he gets out of the car, he needs to be efficient and effective, while not irritating clients in the process. Dr. Wills defines High Performance as being productive, efficient, effective and self-motivated.Steve says the next couple of years include balance between work and other interests. He and Teresa like to hike and backpack; they spend weeks at a time away from the office and reconnecting with nature. He reminds us that balance is key … “you can't just work”. You have to be happy in your work and the rest falls into place. Steve saw his dad as an example of enjoying your work. He would get up for work at IBM and be whistling while shaving and preparing for a day of work.Dr. Wills has had many interesting cases over the years, but is most struck by how our thoughts can manifest into reality. More than once he has though “I haven’t heard from client ___ in a while” and sure enough they call within a few days. Those clients remind Steve to quit thinking about them!!Dr. Wills has an intriguing suggesting for a podcast interviewee and we will hope to procure Mr. Buffet for an interview. Steve encourages us all to take calculated risks; avail yourself to the opportunities that present themselves. Embrace life as it happens, follow your instincts. If you are a new graduate and don’t think you are in the right job, don’t be afraid to change to something else. Check out the Wills Animal Hospital at www.willsanimal.com