Carney Animal Hospital, a family-owned practice, has been serving the Greater Baltimore area since 1952. Today, Dr. Andrew Jendrek is guiding it into the future, continuing the legacy his father built, and earning the hospital recognition as “Best Veterinarian” by Baltimore Style Magazine in 2021.
After taking the lead at the practice, Dr. Jendrek set out to modernize it and improve efficiency with technology. Looking to go paperless, he turned to Talkatoo for dictation and discovered a suite of AI-powered tools that go far beyond transcription – streamlining documentation, enhancing client communication, and simplifying daily workflows for the entire team.
Being present in the moment
For years, Dr. Jendrek relied on handwritten notes, but he admits his handwriting often turned his records into a puzzle for other doctors to decipher. “We had a specialist who made me rewrite all of my notes for two months because he couldn’t read them,” he recalls with a laugh. That was the moment he knew: “Time to go digital.”
But switching to typing wasn’t a good option either. “I’m a very physical person. I get on the floor with my animals. I don’t want to sit at a computer during my appointments,” he explains. “I want to interact with my patients, not type.”
That’s when Dr. Jendrek came across Talkatoo, and it struck him – having a virtual assistant listen to his appointments and automatically generate digital notes was the perfect solution. “With Talkatoo, I can fully focus on my patients and their owners during exams,” says Dr. Jendrek. “If I had to sit at a computer and type while talking, it would take away from that interaction. This way, I can keep eye contact with the client, build a connection, and truly be present in the moment.”
Effortless call documentation with call summary
When Talkatoo introduced its Call Summary feature, Dr. Andrew Jendrek was eager to give it a try. With back-to-back 15-minute appointments and client calls stacked on top, keeping up with records felt overwhelming.
“When I learned that my client calls could also be transcribed and summarized, I was excited,” he recalls. “When you have these long, drawn-out phone conversations discussing a significant case like cancer or an endocrine disorder, it’s just not always possible to remember every detail. And it’s important to document those conversations accurately.”Before Talkatoo, staying after hours to finish notes was the norm. Now? “Instead of two hours, it’s 10 minutes, and I’m out the door,” Dr. Jendrek says with a smile.
More freedom, more privacy
Probably Dr. Jendrek’s favorite part about Talkatoo’s Call Summary feature is the freedom to make calls from anywhere – without giving out his personal cell phone number. “I love that now I, or my team members, can use the clinic’s caller ID and be more flexible,” he shares.
Before having this feature, Dr. Jendrek often found himself stuck at the clinic late, waiting for lab results so he could follow up with clients. If results were delayed, he had to choose between staying after hours or postponing the call until the next day – or even later if it was the weekend.
Now, with the Call Summary feature, he doesn’t have to put those calls off. “With Talkatoo, I can make calls from home, while walking my dog, or from anywhere,” he says. Having the flexibility to follow up with clients on his own time – without sacrificing his privacy – has helped Dr. Jendrek create a better work-life balance, something every veterinarian could use a little more of.
AI assistant for emails, reports, and consultations
Beyond generating SOAP notes or summarizing client phone calls, Dr. Andrew Jendrek has found Talkatoo just as useful for drafting client emails. “My mind works in bullet points – quick, to-the-point thoughts. But that’s not always enough for a client email,” he says. “With Talkatoo, I can dictate what I want to say, and it turns them into clear, compassionate emails that are easy for clients to understand.”
The results have been a win for both him and pet owners. “My emails are so complete now that clients have fewer questions and are more satisfied with the service,” he explains. In fact, he’s found that he doesn’t need to make as many phone consultations because clients get all the details they need upfront. “I do a lot more through email now, which saves me a ton of time. I can even respond while walking my dog,” he adds.
In addition to client communication and record-keeping, Dr. Jendrek has found Talkatoo’s AI Assistant to be a valuable tool for generating reports. Whether it’s an X-ray or ultrasound, he simply dictates his observations, and Talkatoo summarizes them into a structured report. “While I’m doing an ultrasound, I can call out what I see – ‘bladder looks normal, kidneys look normal, adrenal glands big, liver looks hypoechoic’ – and Talkatoo generates the report as I go,” he explains. This hands-free approach lets him focus on the diagnostic process without having to pause and type, making his workflow smoother and more efficient.Talkatoo also helps streamline specialist consultations, for example, preparing cases for submission to VIN for expert input. Instead of typing out detailed case summaries, he dictates the details, and Talkatoo formats them into a structured note. “I just read through the case, let Talkatoo format it, then copy it into VIN, attach my images, and it’s done,” he says.
Saving time, seeing more patients, finding more joy
For Dr. Andrew Jendrek, the time savings and efficiencies from Talkatoo have not only made him and his staff happier at work, doing more of what they love, but they’ve also directly impacted the clinic’s bottom line. “I can see 25% more patients now because I’m more efficient,” he says. “I can move faster while still maintaining the quality of care, and that translates directly into revenue.”
“Talkatoo was the best investment I made, and it’s had an even bigger impact than I expected,” Dr. Jendrek shares. “AI is evolving so fast, and I’m glad to see Talkatoo keeping pace. I’ve watched it improve since I started using it, and it just keeps getting better and better.”Beyond the numbers, it’s given him something just as valuable – a better work-life balance and job satisfaction. “My goal is to enjoy myself, have a great time, and practice good medicine,” he says. “Talkatoo gives me a little more breathing room so I don’t have to push as hard during appointments. Admin work is not fun – Talkatoo does that for me now. Sitting alone at the end of the day, trying to remember everything I did, was not a good time. Now, I get to leave the office feeling more relaxed, knowing everything is already taken care of.”
Not given Talkatoo a shot? Dr. Jendrek has this advice…
“Talkatoo has been the best investment I’ve made. I can see 25% more patients, and instead of spending two hours on records at the end of the day, it’s 10 minutes, and I’m out the door. It’s brought more joy to my work because I can just focus on practicing good medicine, knowing Talkatoo will take care of the rest.”
