Making the Leap into Mobile Surgery
Dr.Kim Tong's Personal Journey
When we talk about the evolution of veterinary surgery, we’re usually discussing the significant strides in surgical techniques and medical technologies that have come into play over the past few years. But a different major evolution is happening outside our clinical conversations – have you also noticed the growing trend of veterinary surgeons transitioning to mobile-based careers?
My name is Dr. Kim Tong, and I’m a board-certified veterinary surgeon based in the San Francisco Bay Area. For the first seven years of my career, I worked as an associate surgeon in traditional “brick-and-mortar” specialty hospitals. Recently, I’ve observed many colleagues embracing the mobile model, driven by the promise of better work-life balance, strong earning potential, and no on-call shifts. Earlier this year, I began reflecting on my professional goals and considered whether I should make the jump too. The prospect of greater autonomy was appealing, but I questioned if I was ready to trade my existing stability.
The promise of improved work-life balance and strong earning potential is undoubtedly enticing. However, transitioning to mobile surgery has its challenges. For instance, mobile surgeons rely on clinics to provide cases, often face extensive travel, and don’t have the safety net of a guaranteed salary. Additionally, mobile surgeons are responsible for securing their own insurance and lack traditional employee benefits. After much thought, I realized I still enjoyed working in a collaborative, specialist-centric environment. I loved meeting clients, managing complex cases, and performing challenging surgeries. So, I decided to do both!
Earlier this year, I joined TruVet Specialty and Emergency Hospital in Petaluma, California. The opportunity there allowed me to pursue both paths. At TruVet, I helped build a new in-house surgery department while simultaneously launching my own mobile surgery business—Golden Gate Mobile Surgery. The mobile business services San Francisco and south, away from Petaluma, so as not to cannibalize TruVet cases. Five months into this dual venture, here are the highlights of what I’ve learned so far.
Starting Up: Understanding Needs and Costs
Launching a mobile surgery service required a deep dive into startup needs and expenses. Many surgeons, particularly those just out of residency or without experience starting a surgery department, might not fully understand the capital investment and decision-making involved. Examples include selecting the right enzymatic cleaner for your instruments or deciding how much is reasonable to invest in a high-quality orthopedic drill.
When I started, I didn’t even know the exact steps in sterilizing all my instruments. The whole thing was rather daunting. I could have joined a group like SURGE, where paid members receive access to coaching and webinars, but instead, I leaned on advice from some of my fellow residents who had mobile surgery experience. They helped me make cost-effective decisions and provided a bare-bones inventory checklist.
I also found the MovoraGo program and my representative, Justin Barker, who offered startup templates for surgical packs and items, a generous interest-free payment plan, and even savings for the investment I was making. Having trusted colleagues and an experienced company supporting my business saved considerable time, stress, and money.
Building a Referral Base
The next step was finding clinics interested in my services. Instead of competing directly with other mobile surgeons, I focused on hospitals with which I had established relationships or those that didn’t already use a mobile surgeon. These targets included practices run by former classmates and doctors I had connected with through referrals. Since I retained the stability of my primary position at TruVet, I was able to approach cultivating my partner clinic base deliberately and methodically.
As a mobile surgeon, I aim to foster collaborative relationships with these hospitals rather than transactional ones. My standard pitch highlights ways I can enhance their surgical capabilities and confidence in managing cases. To support this, I provide client handouts for various procedures, case-specific anesthetic protocol recommendations, detailed discharge instructions for owners, and timely and direct communication with referring veterinarians. As long as I support them in the background, they will grow their confidence in managing these cases and retain more cases in-house.
Better Together
Having their family vet manage this patient’s surgery with Dr. Tong as the mobile surgeon made the care affordable – and possible – for the family.
Progress and Looking Ahead
Five months in, I am continuing to build my referral base. While I’ve established a solid group of partner practices, I continue to strengthen these partner relationships, building through experience their confidence in identifying and managing surgical cases. As this grows, I’m sure more hurdles will come, but creating this hybrid model for myself has been a rewarding journey. I’m optimistic about what lies ahead for both Truvet and Golden Gate Mobile Surgery!
Reflections: Rewards, Challenges, and Advice
Rewards
- Professional Fulfillment: I can still work in a collaborative, multi-specialty hospital while building my own brand and business.
- Building Relationships: Being a mobile surgeon gives me more one-on-one exposure to various veterinary clinics and the people working in those hospitals.
- Financial Returns: Mobile surgery can be quite lucrative despite steep startup costs.
- Flexible Scheduling: Most cases can be scheduled around my personal schedule.
- Brand Recognition: Developing trust with referring veterinarians and their staff elevates my personal brand.
- Accessible Surgical Care: I’m providing more affordable surgical options for clients who may not be able to afford specialty facility care.
- Income Stability: My primary job ensures financial stability and benefits, while the mobile service can sometimes be unpredictable.
Challenges
- Logistics: Balancing my primary job at TruVet as much mobile surgery service grows will likely be tricky. Then the whole “work-life balance” goes out the window!
- Referral Base: Establishing a consistent referral base takes time and requires patience and collaboration to help clinics grow comfortable managing surgical cases.
- Startup Costs: Equipment and inventory are expensive, though programs like MovoraGo helped my initial investment go significantly further.
Advice for Fellow Surgeons
- Do Your Research: Talk to colleagues or pay for groups that provide consulting to understand the lifestyle and demands of mobile surgery.
- Plan Meticulously: From financial planning to equipment acquisition, thorough preparation is key. Don’t be afraid of going with refurbished or eBay items in the beginning, and don’t make hasty purchases without looking at various options.
- Focus on Relationships: Building trust and confidence with your referral base is crucial for success.
- Stay True to Your Vision. Remember your reasons for choosing this path and use them to drive your success.
- Consider a Hybrid Model: If full commitment to mobile surgery feels daunting, explore opportunities to combine in-house and mobile roles. You could do this at your current practice (if they allow it) or see if another practice would be willing to give you that opportunity.
Kim Tong, DVM, DACVS-SA
Article written by: Dr Tong
Follow: @drkimpawsible
Golden Gate Mobile Surgery - California, USA
