Celebrating Scribes and Their Impact at VEG

It’s National Scribe Week! Since scribes are an integral part of the VEG ER, we’re highlighting a few VEGgies who, thanks to the role, are doing some amazing and unexpected things in their careers here.

But first, what exactly does a scribe do?

While a major part of the job is creating the perfect medical record, Scribes are much more than note-takers. They’re immersed in emergency medicine, working alongside our doctors and assisting with workflow—from building estimates and inputting charges, to tracking test results and submitting radiology reports. They make sure everything runs smoothly in the ER so that doctors can focus on what matters most: caring for patients.

Meet three of our awesome VEG scribes—two of whom are also scribe trainers, which means they train new scribes and oversee the scribe program at their hospitals. As scribes, they are getting firsthand ER experience that is already making an impact on their future vet med careers.

Scribe Trainer Erica Conn with a patient.

Erica Conn

Scribe Trainer, VEG Chandler

For Erica Conn, becoming a VEG scribe has been a pivotal step in her vet med journey. There are so many things she loves about her job:

“Witnessing the diverse range of cases and their medical management is truly inspiring,” she said. “VEG's innovative approach and the collaborative dynamic between families on the floor is particularly rewarding. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with our emergency doctors and the entire team. By capturing vital details, updating treatment sheets, supporting our team with precision and care, I earn heartfelt gratitude from our team, who can then focus on patient care with confidence, knowing the doctor has accurate records to inform their decisions.”

It’s also an experience that has made a real impact on her future career:

“Serving as a scribe has been a truly enriching experience,” she shares. “I’ve learned so much from observing, listening, and documenting medical records. This skill will be invaluable when I become a doctor.”

And that day is coming soon! Erica was recently accepted into VEG’s NERD program and will be starting this next chapter at VEG Chandler.

Scribe Riley McKenna (right) with VEG Founder and CEO David Bessler (middle) and a fellow VEGgie.

Riley McKenna

Scribe, VEG Oro Valley

Riley McKenna started at VEG after pivoting from a career in human medicine. Working as a scribe has reinforced her choice to work in vet med.

“Working as a scribe opened my eyes to how amazing the veterinary field can be and helped solidify my decision to apply to veterinary school,” she shared. “It’s given me the opportunity to expand my knowledge. Without VEG, I don’t know if I ever would have had the courage or experience to chase after my dreams.”

Now she’s almost finished with her first year of veterinary school and still works as a VEG scribe.

“Especially after having hard weeks in school, being a scribe helps me remember my why. I come into work and am constantly reminded that I am pursuing becoming a veterinarian to help those who need it most.”

Scribe Trainer Nick Charney hanging with a patient.

Nick Charney

Scribe Trainer, VEG Shrewsbury

For Nick Charney, being a scribe means rolling up his sleeves and doing whatever it takes to help, whether he’s assisting doctors and veterinary nurses or people and their pets.

“On an average day I'll jump from taking a doctor's notes, to making a bed for an inpatient, to walking a customer out,” he said. “Being a rock in the storm for my team is the most rewarding feeling in the world.”

He’s also gained so much knowledge as a scribe—things he never expected to learn.

“Listening and talking to vets every day has helped me learn about illnesses and injuries, diagnostic tests and how to read them, treatments and how they're given, and above all, how to be a great friend to pets big and small,” he shared. “I love the work that I do and the ways I get to contribute to VEG!”

And since he’s also a scribe trainer, Nick has not only grown his knowledge as a scribe, but also as a leader.

“As a trainer, I've learned leadership skills that have helped me grow as a VEGgie and as a person,” he said. “Thanks to coaching from my leaders, I've learned how to have difficult conversations and have cultivated my emotional intelligence to better hold myself and others accountable.”

Interested in becoming a scribe?

Being a VEG scribe is both fulfilling and rewarding—you get to a front row seat to the ER while helping people and their pets when they need it most. If you’re considering a career in vet med, becoming a scribe is a great first step!