Are We Preparing Veterinarians for Tomorrow's World?
Straight from VMX 2025:
A Panel on Gaps in Education
Watch the Recording
Veterinary education is expanding with new schools and programs, but are they really preparing students for the demands of the current market? As client expectations grow, the economic landscape shifts, and innovative tools become available every day, tomorrow’s professionals will need more than clinical training to succeed.
This panel brings together experts from academia, business, and students to explore the potential gaps in today’s veterinary education. We’ll focus on skills that are increasingly critical yet often underrepresented in the curriculum, such as business acumen, AI proficiency, understanding and responsible use of emerging technologies, digital ethics, client service, and more.
Join us as we unpack the trends shaping the future of veterinary medicine and share fresh approaches to training the next generation of veterinary professionals. Let’s talk about what’s missing – and how we can bridge the gap.
Our Panelists
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Rustin M. Moore, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS
President and Board Chair, AAVMC
Dean, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Rustin M. Moore, professor and Rita Jean Wolfe Endowed Dean in Veterinary Medicine, has been dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine since 2015. A two-time graduate of the college, he has held leadership roles, including chair of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and executive director of the Veterinary Medical Center. Previously on faculty at LSU (1994–2006), Dr. Moore has advised over 45 graduate, intern, and resident trainees. He has published 120+ peer-reviewed articles, nearly 20 book chapters, and delivered 175+ scientific presentations. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, he earned his BS (1986), DVM (1989), and PhD (1994) with honors. He serves on numerous boards and speaks frequently on diversity, equity, inclusion, well-being, and the human-animal bond.
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Jennifer Locke, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
Veterinary Professional Relations Director at PetVet365
Dr. Locke is a board-certified veterinary oncologist, with a wide scope of experience in academic, specialty private practice, and industry settings. She has extensive background in clinical research and publishing, practice growth, as well as recognition from state and national organizations for exceptional contributions to the profession. Dr. Locke combines her passions for veterinary medicine and teaching in her role at PetVet365, overseeing recruiting and doctor growth initiatives, student programs, and outreach enterprises.
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Anjali Patel, DVM Candidate 2026
Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine
Anjali Patel is a third-year veterinary student at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she is pursuing her DVM degree as part of the Class of 2026. With a strong passion for both veterinary medicine and business, Anjali serves as the National Marketing Director for the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA), working to empower veterinary students with essential business skills. Anjali’s professional interests lie in emergency medicine, surgery, and practice ownership. She aspires to work in a hybrid ER/GP setting upon graduation to gain valuable experience before achieving her goal of owning a veterinary hospital. Her dedication to veterinary business has led her to pursue multiple business-focused externships, where she has gained firsthand experience in hospital operations, innovation strategies, and leadership development.
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Donna Matthews Jarrell, DVM, DACLAM
Principal/Owner at Speculo Business & Clinical Services LLC
Dr. Jarrell believes leadership is based on continuous improvement with full employee inclusivity and empowerment. Throughout her 30+ year career, she has directed innovative programs in government, biotechnology and academic settings. In 2023 she received the first Pioneer Award from the Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership and the Laboratory Animal Management Association’s Charles River Medallion. As a part of Speculo, she champions operations excellence through full employee engagement and helps groups navigate around inequities and injustices, by following the evidence, correcting misconceptions and assumptions, so that innovative and sustainable organizational shifts occur. Dr. Jarrell’s certifications include The General Management Program, Harvard Business School, and Executive Coach, Center for Executive Coaching.
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Ryan Leech
Growth consultant and host of the Bird Bath podcast
Ryan Leech is a veterinary industry consultant, speaker and a podcast host with over six years of experience leading First 100 Consulting. At this boutique consulting firm, Ryan specializes in providing critical market insights and strategic guidance to veterinary businesses, helping them thrive in a competitive market. In addition to his consulting work, Ryan held significant roles in business development and strategic partnerships at various organizations, including Digitail, Galaxy Vets, and Veterinary Integration Solutions.
Ryan also hosts The Bird Bath, a weekly news podcast. Through this show, he highlights the latest trends and developments in pet health, offering listeners valuable insights into hot topics, breaking news, and industry analysis. Learn more at https://first100.io/.
Brought to you by
Instinct is a veterinary software company dedicated to enhancing patient care and operational efficiency in animal hospitals. Founded by practicing emergency veterinarian Dr. Caleb Frankel in 2017, Instinct offers cloud-based solutions such as Instinct EMR, an end-to-end practice management system that provides a comprehensive view of medical records, patient care, business workflows, and hospital-wide communications. In January 2024, Instinct acquired VetMedux, the company behind Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs and Clinician’s Brief, further strengthening its commitment to delivering mission-critical tools for veterinary professionals.
Instinct's platforms are designed to streamline operations, reduce staff burnout, and improve patient outcomes, serving over 300,000 caretakers across more than 400 hospitals worldwide. For more information, visit https://www.instinct.vet/.
PetVet365 was founded in 2019 by a team of veterinarians determined to offer the highest quality of veterinary care 365 days a year, while providing veterinarians the career they always dreamed of. PetVet365 continues to grow nationally, with a veterinarian-owned and led practice model. We offer a 100% Fear Free team approach, benefitting our patients, their families, and our hospital teams, in a comfortable and stress-free environment. We leverage innovation, coupled with a People First philosophy, to enhance the quality of pets' lives while improving the state of veterinary medicine for our doctors and teams. For more information about PetVet365, visit https://www.petvet365.com/.
Serenity Vet is a transformative platform connecting relief veterinarians with clinics seeking temporary staffing solutions. By combining a user-friendly marketplace with integrated financial planning tools, Serenity Vet empowers veterinarians to take control of their careers through flexible scheduling, income forecasting, and goal-setting. Clinics benefit from reliable and cost-effective staffing solutions, including tools like the profitability calculator, which ensures competitive and sustainable rates. Founded to address the growing challenges of burnout, staffing shortages, and financial unpredictability, Serenity Vet is dedicated to fostering a healthier, more balanced future for the veterinary profession. For more information, visit https://serenity.vet/.
Olympic Veterinary is the leading manufacturer of modern, innovative Lifts, Tables and Gurneys designed for today's rapidly changing veterinary practice. Every Olympic product offers features to save time and space and improve patient care. All Olympic equipment meets safety and ergonomic standards to protect your patients and hospital staff from injury. Premium quality Olympic products are built in the USA for lifetime use and are your best long-term investment. Efficient. Ergonomic. Modular. High-performance equipment that meets you where you are. For more information, visit https://olympicveterinary.com/.