Meet Dr. Wayne
Hello. Officially my name is R. Wayne Randolph, V.M.D. But everybody calls me Dr. Wayne. So I am Dr. Wayne. The patients, though, prefer to call me Uncle Wayne. I like that. Most people would agree that I am a bit of a character. It’s true. But that is OK. It is fun. I am the veterinarian here at Countryside Veterinary Hospital (aka Countryside). We are a solo doctor (single doc) practice. That means I am the guy who does the listening, the looking, the figuring out, and then hopefully - the fixing up. I like doing this, and I try to do it well. I try to do things right, and I try to do it right the first time.
From a Young Age
Being a veterinarian is the only thing I have ever really wanted to do and be. Repeat – the only thing. I can remember wanting to be a veterinarian back to the 3rd grade. I know it was the 3rd grade, because I can remember one specific day when each of us kids in the classroom had to say what we wanted to be when we grew up. It was School #3 in Woodbridge, New Jersey. The teacher’s name was Mrs. Schrimpf. On my turn, I said veterinarian. The teacher could not spell veterinarian, so I spelled it for her. True story. I am sure that I wanted to be a veterinarian before that, but this incident in the third grade is as far back as I can accurately document in my mind.
See the bow tie!
Clowning around, Grandma, sister, box turtle, & bow tie
Box turtle, sister, & bow tie
Toby & bow tie
It's a calling
I don’t really have a job. Well, I sorta do. My vocation and avocation are the same. Veterinary medicine is a calling for me. Honest to goodness, it really is. It is my passion. It has consumed most of my life. Now, a lot of people would say that is a bad thing. And maybe it would be for most people. But it works for me. I just love virtually every part of what I do – well, not the paperwork. And maybe it has worked for me only because I have the very best wife in the whole world (really, really for sure).
So, that’s the story with me. I care about animals a whole lot. All sorts of animals – not just dogs & cats. There were some lions & tigers (really) - and some other unusual species. For awhile I wanted to be a zoo vet. The stories I could tell you - wow.
A younger (much) Dr. Wayne at the Bronx Zoo
I Like It All – Just a Dinosaur
I just love veterinary medicine. People and friends, even some veterinary colleagues, often ask what I particularly like about vet med. My answer to them and to myself is the same. And it is a corny answer. I love it all. Corny answer, and it sounds false. But it is not. It is true. I really do love it all. I love orthopedic surgery repairing anterior cruciate ligament tears. I like allergy and dermatology. I like learning. I like reading veterinary journals & texts, and I maintain a significant library. I have thirst for knowledge. I enjoy office consultations & examination of the patient. And I enjoy interacting with clients during these office consultations. I love surgery. I love medicine. I love diagnostics. I love working with the animals. Again, corny – but true. I know this makes me a dinosaur. But that is not a bad thing. It is OK. I like being a dinosaur.
Always a ham
People
One of the very best parts of my job is people - seeing clients. I care about people. I am a people person. I love working with the clients. It is one of the best parts of my day. Many of my two-legged friends have come through the practice. I am most blessed in this way.
Wendy
Over many years I have worked way too many hours and way too many days. This crazy schedule and calendar, along with everything else associated with our practice life, would never have been possible without my better half. Wendy is simply the best. That’s the story.