Meet Our New ECC Vet – Dr Rachel Soh

Can you tell us a little about your background and what led you into Emergency & Critical Care?

Thanks! I grew up in Singapore and went to vet school at Sydney University. I spent 3 years at a busy GP clinic back in Singapore before returning to Sydney to do a rotating and ECC internship followed by my residency at Sydney University. My internship had a big emphasis on emergency and I had always wanted to get better at it as a GP so it worked out well!

What do you love most about working in ECC?

The variety of cases that we see, and the intricacies of looking after the most critical patients.

What’s your favourite type of emergency case to manage (if you have one!)?

Septic cases and anaphylaxis!

ECC can be intense — what do you think makes a great emergency vet?

Being open to other possibilities and not fixating on pattern recognition, and great communication. And listening to your nurses!

What can referring vets expect from you when their patient comes through our doors?

That their patients receive the best care possible.

What’s your approach to communication with clients during high-stress situations?

Delivering information in a calm and measured manner, not sugarcoating facts but also showing empathy.

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

I picked up knitting last year and am very invested in it! I will sit and obsessively knit for hours with terrible posture. I’ve made a bunch of beanies so far and am now trying to knit a sweater!

What’s been your most memorable case so far in your career (without breaching confidentiality)?

Treating a dog with massive bee envenomation – I think he had at least 50 stingers removed and spent a week in ICU and had a couple of transfusions but did great in the end!

What are you most excited about in joining the Southpaws team?

Working with and learning from a new team – there’s always something to be learnt from different clinicians from different backgrounds of experience

Outside of work, how do you unwind after a big emergency shift?

Probably being in lateral for a while haha. I love hiking, camping and paddleboarding as well so try to get outside where I can, and I also try to be conscientious about going to the gym.

Coffee order (or fuel of choice) on a night shift?

A strong oat flat white and lots of snacks!

Dogs, cats… or exotics?

I am definitely a cat person now even though I grew up with dogs – I love my two big boy cats Jiji and Leo!

Adrenaline junkie or calm in the storm?

Calm on the outside but quite possibly panicking on inside.

Sweet or savoury snacks at 2am?

Savory!