Jonathan Powers, DVM, DACVR

Dr. Jonathan Powers realized at a young age that he wanted to be a veterinarian after seeing the incredibly important role his own cats and dogs played in his life. As he grew older, he knew he wanted to be a part of preserving and strengthening the human-animal bond.

How did you become interested in diagnostic imaging?

There are very exciting advances being made in diagnostic imaging that put radiology on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine. The technology is constantly improving and modalities, once unheard of in pets, are becoming more available. If we look at human medicine, we can see some of these incredible developments that are coming down the pipeline into veterinary medicine. These medical advances will ultimately lead to better and better patient care. I also love the collaborative nature of the specialty. Radiologists get to be involved in a variety of cases across all specialties of veterinary medicine, which is why I chose diagnostic imaging since it allows me to incorporate many of them simultaneously.

What is your philosophy of patient care?

It is my goal to provide excellent patient care by providing clinicians and pet owners with as much information as possible in order to reach a diagnosis. With accurate information, owners and clinicians together can make an informed decision on the best path to take.

What are some of the biggest challenges in your area of expertise?

Diagnostic imaging has several inherent challenges that make it such an interesting discipline. One of the biggest is integrating the clinical picture with the imaging findings. The purpose of doing an imaging study is to gain information about a specific problem. There may be other information that’s gained from that study that may or may not be immediately relevant, but it is our job to review the images and provide any pertinent information that will get the pet treated appropriately. For me, this challenge of incorporating the clinical picture with the images is also what makes it such an exciting specialty.

Is there a particular case that inspires or motivates you?

I am often inspired by the collaboration at Veterinary Specialty Center. For example, a patient can be seen first by ER, then the imaging department, onto surgery, and then onto oncology or internal medicine. Our clinicians are constantly in communication to formulate the best, individualized treatment plans for every patient.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I enjoy nature and traveling. My wife, Jordan, and I try to visit at least one national park a year. While at home, I like to read, exercise, and spend time with our two small dogs.