Meet Michelle Murray | DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), CCRT. Veterinary Neurologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Murray and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Well, I love what I do professionally, but I love my family more.

Prior to starting NEST, I had always worked at larger specialty practices, which was professionally fulfilling, but all consuming. The commute was longer, and I was either “on clinics” or at home. I LOVED seeing my patients, but felt guilty leaving my family for such long days, staying late, taking emergencies. When I was home, I felt completely disconnected from my patients and clients.

I wanted to strike the best balance possible of doing work AND family well. I realized I needed to create a “non-traditional” practice… smaller scale, very close to home, flexible schedule and hours for me and my clients, but with all the technology and equipment of a larger practice in order to provide excellent veterinary care for my patients. This is how NEST Veterinary Neurology evolved.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
NEST fills a very specific niche in the veterinary community. We provide extremely specialized veterinary care for dogs and cats that have neurological diseases. We have are able to perform MRI scans at our office, perform spinal taps, and neurosurgeries.

At NEST, we also provide very personalized care. We see one patient at a time, spend at least an hour with each family, at their initial appointment and communicate extensively with our owners before, during, and after any procedure or treatment. I think most owners, regardless of their pets diagnosis, prognosis, or outcome, leave NEST feeling that we invested 100% into helping their pet, and helping them navigate the process.

There are ALWAYS new things to learn in veterinary medicine. Our knowledge base can never remain stagnant, or we are not doing right by our patients. Over the years, I have made an effort to stay current on new research, new studies, and new techniques.

I have also realized how important the intangibles are, and how important effective and compassionate communication is, when helping a family cope with a sick pet.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Monday- walk on the beach trail in San Clemente, breakfast at West Toast. Shopping on Del Mar Street in San Clemente. Tuesday- Downtown San Juan. Brunch at Ramos House. Visit the Mission in San Juan Capistrano.
Wednesday- Hiking in Laguna Beach. Lunch/brunch at Zinc Cafe.
Thursday- More shopping on Del Mar Street in San Clemente. Dinner at the Village Restaurant on Del Mar Street.
Friday- spend the day at Riviera beach. Drinks at Bar Jane or the Cellar in San Clemente.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family has been extremely supportive of my work and the practice.

My husband (also a veterinarian) was really the one who pushed me to “go for it” and take a risk. He had great vision and saw the need for a smaller, “more personal but still professional” experience for pet owners, an alternative to the larger, corporate practices.

Also, my children have spent MANY hours after school doing homework at NEST, while I finished an MRI or surgery. It takes a village.

Website: https://www.nestveterinaryneurology.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nestneuro/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nestneuro/