How Performance-Based Compensation Transforms Veterinary Teams

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In this episode of the Veterinary Business Podcast, Naren Arulrajah welcomes Dr. Christine Staten, a seasoned veterinarian and practice owner with over 25 years of experience. Dr. Staton shares her journey from clinical practice to business leadership and her innovative approach to team motivation through a tier-based performance compensation system. Discover how this transparent, skill-and-knowledge-driven model boosts motivation, cultivates a culture of continuous learning, and improves retention within veterinary practices. 

Whether you’re a practice owner or manager, learn actionable strategies to design fair pay structures that reward growth, accountability, and teamwork.

Key Takeaways & Time Stamps

• 00:00 – 07:00: Introduction & Guest Background
  • Dr. Christine Staton’s veterinary and practice ownership journey
  • Transition to business mentorship with ongoing clinical involvement
• 07:00 – 13:00: Inspiration for Performance-Based Compensation
  • Challenges of traditional pay structures and loss of team trust
  • The four-year journey to design a tier-based compensation system
• 13:00 – 18:00: Tier System Structure & Motivation
  • Tier levels defined by soft skills, hard skills, and knowledge
  • Public transparency and self-motivated team advancement
• 18:00 – 22:30: Tier Advancement Process
  • Logs, tests, role plays, and collective feedback for promotions
  • Supportive, development-focused evaluation approach
• 22:30 – 26:30: Hiring for Culture Fit
  • Emphasis on learning mindset and teamwork over immediate skills
  • Working interview strategies for evaluating adaptability
• 26:30 – 30:00: Impact on Motivation & Retention
  • Enhanced team motivation and retention compared to industry averages
  • Staff progressing from entry-level to veterinary school
• 30:00 – 34:56: Challenges & Best Practices
  • Initial resistance and lessons learned on team involvement
  • Importance of clear communication, career visibility, and fostering a growth culture

Christine Staten, DVM, MBA

Veterinary Entrepreneur | Practice Owner & Mentor | Business Sustainability Advocate
Owner, Adobe Veterinary Center | Founder, Veterinary MBA

Dr. Christine Staten is a seasoned veterinary entrepreneur with over two decades of experience as a mixed animal practitioner and clinic owner. Based in Tucson, Arizona, she is the solo owner of Adobe Veterinary Center, a thriving multi-doctor practice with two locations and a 50-member team serving both large and small animal clients.

Christine’s journey began with a passion for animals nurtured through 4-H and an early career as a Labor & Delivery technician. After earning her veterinary degree from Colorado State University in 1999, she joined her childhood vet and eventually helped grow the practice into a regional fixture in mixed animal care.

Driven by a deep commitment to mentorship and professional development, Dr. Staten hosts over 30 veterinary student externs annually and leads two educational events through her non-profit: Future Practitioner’s Weekend and the Horse Owner Education Seminar.

In 2023, she earned her MBA from Louisiana State University and launched Veterinary MBA, a consultancy dedicated to helping fellow veterinary professionals build sustainable businesses and reclaim work-life balance.

A dynamic leader, educator, and mentor, Christine brings clarity, energy, and lived experience to every room she enters—while balancing life as a wife, mother of five, grandmother of six, and a real estate dabbler with commercial, rental, and Airbnb ventures.

Connect with Dr. Staten:

• LinkedIn
• Website