Sugarland Animal Hospital, Bundaberg QLD
Dr Mike Woodham (owner) & Greg Goldsworthy (Practice Manager)
An Interview with Best Led Practice Award Winner 2021; Dr Mike Woodham, Practice Owner
Tell us about your business?
Sugarland Animal Hospital is an ASAV accredited small animal Hospital in sunny BUNDABERG QLD.
We have a team of 28 including 7 Veterinarians.
Established in 2006 we have continued to grow and serve our local community.
We work closely with local rescues and have been able to provide care for those animals most in need. Through our efforts we have been able to provide over $150,000 in support and care for these groups so far in 2021.
We continue to strive for our mission to “care for the pets of BUNDABERG”.
Due to the increasing stress in our industry and veterinarians leaving due to poor work conditions, we have recently modified our mission to “caring for the vets of BUNDABERG”. We achieve this through weekly 1 on 1 mentoring and coaching, supporting their education, professional development and by providing a psychologically safe work environment. Additionally we are currently working on removing additional stress by opening a dedicated after hours hospital.
Why do you think you were selected for this award?
Even though we don’t always get it right, we focus on consistent action and improvements over time (the compound effect) until we achieve our results.
We work hard to develop systems of good business governance and also shore up our weaknesses utilizing ongoing professional development and coaching.
Utilizing the lessons and leadership skills daily as taught through the Lincoln Institute has been a vital element to our success.
How has the training that you have engaged in with Lincoln Institute benefited your business?
Any benefit to our business has only been through personal development and training.
Without our willingness to learn and grow, our business would never have thrived.
Personally I found even in the first few modules of Lincoln’s “Lead to Succeed Program” I had an opportunity to exercise a new Lincoln skill I had just learnt to negotiate $140k off the purchase price of our premises.
We have also achieved a touch over 55% annual compound growth in profitability every year for the last 7 years.
Why is it important to the veterinary industry that these annual leadership awards are being given?
I found it inspiring to learn of others success and made sure I looked carefully at what they were doing to achieve that.
Success leaves clues.
Having them share their ideas and what they have found that works in our industry has been inspiring and beneficial to our progress.
Dr Mike Woodham 