Outside the modular building where NOLA Animal Clinic is temporarily housed, staff members model their new color-coordinated apparel. Dr. Lily Rai, owner, is top left, and Dr. Gene Knispel is third from right at top.A palette of color and an intrepid fleur-de-lis are brightening things for staff and clients at the NOLA Animal Clinic, which recently underwent a mini-makeover.
Lands' End Business Outfitters donated the makeover after brainstorming with Dr. Rosemary LoGiudice, director of the AVMA Membership and Field Services Division, about a way the company could improve the workplace of a veterinarian still rebounding from Katrina. Lands' End is an AVMA affinity partner, offering quality logoed apparel at discount prices.
"It was just a great opportunity to give back to someone in the profession who does such important work helping animals, so we were thrilled," said Amanda Broderick, the company's public relations manager.
The AVMA contacted the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association for leads, and Dr. Karen Miller Becnel, a board member of the LVMA's Walter J. Ernst Foundation, notified Dr. Lily Rai that she and her NOLA Animal Clinic were overwhelmingly chosen for the makeover.
"We're in a devastated part of town, but we are trying to make a difference," Dr. Rai said. "It was such a refreshing thing for somebody out of the clear blue to do something for us. We're a small clinic, but we've gone over a lot of hurdles."
Dr. Becnel noted that Dr. Rai's practice is one of the few if not the only one serving New Orleans East now. "There are multiple hard-pressed areas, but [Dr. Rai is] a perfect example of the city struggling to rebound. She's not giving up."
The Lands' End creative team worked with Dr. Rai and developed a fleur-de-lis logo for her practice, discussed fabrics and sleeve lengths, and came up with a "color story" for her team that combined heather gray, dusty rose, and burgundy, according to Matthew Meholic of Lands' End. Dr. Rai said, "The people at Lands' End did such a beautiful job on the uniforms. The girls love them. I'm going to place an order so everyone has two shirts."
She expressed gratitude for the grant provided by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation after Hurricane Katrina and delight over this year's location for the AVMA Annual Convention. "It's so nice to have the national convention in your own backyard. I just can't tell the AVMA how excited I am!"
While the clinic is being rebuilt, patients are being seen in a modular building, an idea Dr. Rai got from a colleague in a similar situation—Dr. Gary Levy of Lakeview Veterinary Clinic.
Lands' End is giving away another mini-makeover to a lucky convention registrant. Enter to win at booth 1428. The winner will be drawn at the end of the convention and notified.
