Clair Sauer, CVT, joins Dr. Andy Roark to explore how we’re teaching (and could be teaching better) in vet med. In this episode of the Cone of Shame Podcast, they dig into Clair’s unique path from science teacher to veterinary technician educator at the University of Pennsylvania. With a passion for learning theory and hands-on training, Clair shares her thoughts on competency-based education, the strengths and challenges of the distributive model for vet schools, and why clear learning outcomes should drive everything from curriculum design to in-clinic staff training. If you're curious about the future of veterinary education, technician training, or how to build a stronger teaching culture in your hospital, this conversation will light you up. Let’s get into it!

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Clair Sauer started her career as a High School Science teacher. After teaching in the USA and Japan over the span of a decade, she earned her MSEd from West Chester University in 2004 . Since then, she has been involved in developing and spreading awareness of inclusive science programs for urban youth and under represented communities. Upon leaving formal teaching, she worked extensively in shelter medicine, animal welfare and public resource management. Working in shelter med led her to pursue her CVT, which she received in 2018 from Harcum College. She is currently enrolled in a Medical Education Masters program to get another MSEd. She loves being a CVT while integrating her education background into her current role in academia. As well as still growing as a tech and becoming more aware of her own neurodivergence, she makes time to stay active in improving education and access to veterinary medicine for all. She has been nominated and recognized for her achievements and leadership, most recently in 2022, receiving the VECCS Steven Haskins Scholarship. She lives in Philadelphia with her 2 Doberman Pinschers and 2 kitties. When she isn’t nerding out about education and vet med, she likes going dancing with other nerds in vet med and riding bikes in the woods.

Dr. Alex Sigmund, DACVO, joins Dr. Andy Roark to share his journey from uncertain pre-vet student to rising ophthalmology star and social media sensation, better known as The Vet Eye Guy. In this episode of the Cone of Shame Podcast, Alex opens up about falling in love with ophthalmology during vet school, navigating the competitive world of residencies, and building a wildly popular educational Instagram presence. From his passion for teaching to the moment he realized his bite-sized videos were making a global impact, Alex talks candidly about the heart behind his content—and why he’s determined to make eye care more approachable for veterinarians everywhere. If you're curious about becoming a specialist, growing your online voice, or just love a good origin story, this one's for you. Let’s get into it!

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Alex is a dedicated veterinary ophthalmologist with a passion for educating pet owners and veterinarians about animal eye health. With a background from UGA and the University of Tennessee, Alex shares insights from a diverse career treating various species, including dogs, cats, and exotic animals. Based in Atlanta, Alex offers teleconsultations and engages with a growing community of animal lovers.

Dr. Jimmy Barr, Chief Medical Officer at Antech Diagnostics, joins The Cone of Shame Podcast for a deep dive into the future of veterinary diagnostics. With a background as a criticalist and former CMO of Blue Pearl, Dr. Barr brings a clinician’s perspective to the evolving landscape of diagnostics. He and Dr. Andy Roark discuss how innovation is shaping veterinary medicine, from AI-assisted radiograph interpretation to predictive diagnostics and molecular testing. They explore the role of spectrum of care in diagnostics, the surprising tests veterinarians still perform in-house, and how AI can serve as a cognitive aid rather than a replacement for clinical judgment. Plus, Dr. Barr shares what he wishes he had known about diagnostics when he was in practice. If you’re curious about where veterinary diagnostics are headed and how they’ll impact patient care, this episode is a must-listen!

https://www.antechdiagnostics.com/

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As Chief Medical Officer for Mars Petcare’s Science & Diagnostics division, James (Jimmy) Barr, DVM, DACVECC, oversees the quality organization and leads delivery of medical care for the global Antech veterinary diagnostics business. Additionally, Jimmy serves a key role in connecting Science & Diagnostics with the Mars Petcare ecosystem and the veterinary profession.

Most recently, Jimmy was Blue Pearl’s Chief Medical Officer, a position he held since 2018, growing the Clinical Affairs team and taking it to new levels of medical leadership and excellence. While serving as CMO of BluePearl, Jimmy helped establish the Board of Chief Veterinary Medical Officers which is an important collective of over 60 top veterinary medical leaders from across the profession representing various industry segments. Jimmy currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Chief Veterinary Medical Officers.

Jimmy holds undergraduate and veterinary degrees from Louisiana State University and completed his residency in Emergency and Critical Care at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. Jimmy worked clinically at BluePearl starting in 2007 and served on the faculty at Texas A&M University before serving in BluePearl leadership.

Jimmy enjoys outdoor activities and woodworking. He is married to another veterinarian, Medora, and has two dogs, two cats, and two human children. Jimmy is based out of the SDx office in New York.