JAAHA Commentary: Clinical expertise and corporate consolidation

As corporate consolidation and private equity investment continue to reshape veterinary medicine, an important question emerges: who should be leading healthcare organizations?

This Special Commentary (a new section in JAAHA) by Joe Hill, BSc, BVSc, MBA, MRCVS, explores the growing tension between financial priorities and clinical care, examining how increasing corporate ownership may influence patient outcomes, workplace culture, and the wellbeing of veterinary professionals.

Drawing from personal experience and evidence from both veterinary and human healthcare, Hill challenges readers to consider whether organizations can truly succeed without meaningful clinical representation in leadership positions.

The article also examines the consequences of rapid consolidation, including burnout, workforce dissatisfaction, and a widening disconnect between executive decision-makers and frontline teams. Yet it offers a hopeful path forward by advocating for stronger clinician leadership, greater investment in workforce wellbeing, and long-term strategies that prioritize patient care alongside financial sustainability.

Read the full Special Commentary, “The Growing Tension Between Clinical Expertise and Corporate Consolidation in Veterinary Medicine,” in the latest issue of JAAHA.

The Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA) is a storied publication presenting the latest scientific articles from around the world. Each month we present a sampling from the current month’s journal.

Photo credit: via JAAHA

Disclaimer: Trends content is meant to inform, educate, and inspire by providing an array of diverse viewpoints. Any content published should not be viewed as an official stance, position, or endorsement by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) or its Board of Directors. This article had editing assistance from an AI software.