IVPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bonnie Bragdon, DVM, MS
Co-Founder, President
“Diversity in models for the delivery of animal health care will ensure animal owners have access to personalized care which meets their own emotional and financial needs as well as the physical needs of their animals. While industry consolidation can provide certain efficiencies to practitioners and consumers, maintaining options for veterinary clients will preserve the competitive landscape that drives innovation, quality, and choice.”
Dr. Bragdon strives to elevate the role of veterinarians in the business and practice of animal health through her work in organized medicine. She began her career in practice, serving for nearly 10 years as an associate veterinarian, owner-veterinarian and director with various animal hospitals and county animal control in the state of Georgia.
In addition to her responsibilities as a clinical practitioner, Dr. Bragdon excelled in operations management and transitioned to the administrative side of the industry, including roles as a Technical Services Manager for Merck Animal Health (where she strategized and delivered continuing education on medical and clinical operations to companion animal practitioners), and Senior Marketing Manager at BonVet Animal Health. She also spent more than six years in progressive positions with Abbott Animal Health, including Senior Manager of New Products Scientific Assessment and Veterinary Liaison Manager before the company was acquired by Zoetis in 2015.
Dr. Bragdon currently serves as Vice President of Marketing and Veterinary Affairs for Zomedica Pharmaceuticals, leading the marketing and veterinary medical strategy as it relates to product launches, industry trends, strategic partnerships, marketing, education, and training. She received both her DVM and MS (Veterinary Clinical Sciences) from The Ohio State University, and has also pursued graduate coursework in business administration. Dr. Bragdon is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as well as the American Association of Industry Veterinarians (AAIV), and represents AAIV in the AVMA’s House of Delegates. Her primary goal in her work on behalf of IVPA members is to promote the unique value independent practices deliver to their clients, their patients, and their communities.
Jill Stetz, DVM
Secretary
“Being a solo practitioner brings many responsibilities, joys and challenges. It is crucial that independent veterinary practices have the resources, support and opportunities needed for the unique challenges we face in maintaining the vital importance of our position within our local communities. We also need to invest in the future of the profession, including inspiring, mentoring and working with new graduates as well as current and prospective veterinary students."
Hailing from Allentown, Pennsylvania, Dr. Jill Stetz received her B.S. in biology and natural sciences from Muhlenberg College and then graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1994.
Since graduation, Dr. Stetz worked at multi-doctor small animal practices prior to purchasing Narberth Animal Hospital In Narberth, PA in 2005 after working there for 7 years. Dr. Stetz is a member of AVMA and serves on the American Board of Veterinary Specialties.
Dr. Stetz has seen the impact of animals on human lives through her experiences with her 2 giant schnauzer therapy dogs. She also serves on Muhlenberg College’s Alumni Board.
Patricia Hill, DVM
Co-Founder, At-Large Member
“Through my service on the IVPA Board of Directors, I hope to help preserve the continued honor, leadership, and contributions to society by the profession I love. Without the voice and personal involvement of independent practitioners in these efforts, I am concerned there will be an erosion of the noble qualities that have benefited our communities for so long — and so well.”
Dr. Hill is a North Carolina native who received her undergraduate degree in Zoology from North Carolina State University and her DVM from the University of Georgia (UGA). She owned Hillcrest Animal Hospital in Simpsonville SC for 22 years before it was sold to an independent practitioner in 2013. She now owns East North Veterinary Hospital in Greenville SC, where she finds reward in the daily challenges and opportunities for growth she receives while helping fellow beings, both two-legged and four-legged.
Dr. Hill has served as president of two local VMAs and the South Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, and has held positions on the UGA Alumnae Board as well as the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee. She currently serves as Legislative Chair on the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians Foundation Board.
Dr. Hill lives in Simpsonville SC with her Doberman and Quarter Horse.
Chris Bryant, DVM
At-Large Member
“Independent practice is both a great joy, and at times, an isolating responsibility. I’m watching the veterinary profession go the way of pharmacy and much of the human medical and dental fields, where practices are part of large conglomerates and have little to no control over their own destinies. IVPA offers locally owned and operated practices the support and potential solutions to the problems that, alone, we are too small – and too busy – to solve.”
Originally from Louisville KY, Dr. Bryant received her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Kentucky (Go Cats!) and her DVM from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
After nine years as an associate at a multi-doctor small animal practice, Dr. Bryant purchased Cherokee Animal Hospital in Canton, Georgia in 2006. Her professional interests include animal behavior and acupuncture, for which she recently received certification. As much as Dr. Bryant enjoys being a veterinarian, running her business has become a second passion.
She is married to a very patient man, has two wonderful children and the requisite house full of animals. She is honored to be on the Board of Directors for IVPA and have the opportunity to leverage her experience and ideas to shape the IVPA into an organization that assists its members in meeting the everyday challenges of ownership and the industry alike.
Grant Jacobson, DVM
At-Large Member
"Independent veterinary practice owners and associates are faced with new challenges as the presence of large corporate-owned practices expands. They need an organization such as IVPA to support non-corporate ownership as well as support its members who are facing this new, competitive dynamic. I am passionate about this profession and honored to help develop IVPA into an organization that will assist private practitioners in continuing to thrive."
Dr. Jacobson owns The Hometown Veterinarian in Marshalltown, Iowa, which he opened in October 2018. Prior to starting his own small animal hospital, he spent 19 years working as an associate veterinarian for a practice he planned to purchase – that was until the owner decided to sell to a corporate consolidator. Rather than re-apply for his current position (at a lower salary), he decided to realize his dream of providing expert, ethical medical and surgical care for beloved pets and an unmatched service experience for their loyal humans.
A proud graduate of Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, he was recently featured on their website as part of the college’s #gentledoctorseverywhere campaign.
Paula Rode, DVM
At-Large Member
“As I look at the field these days, I am concerned about the growing influence of corporate practice and feel strongly that independent practitioners need to work together to gain some of the opportunities afforded larger practices. We must also leverage that coalition to have a stronger voice in our national organization.”
Dr. Paula Rode has been a practice owner for 25 years and really values being able to make the decisions about how to practice medicine and manage a hospital on a day to day basis. She is owner of Chelsea Animal Hospital in Chelsea, Michigan.
Dr. Rode is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the AVMA Trust and has been since the PLIT and AVMA Life Trusts merged two years ago. Previously she was an AVMA Life trustee for eight years. She notes that the national practices have really challenged the AVMA and the Trust to offer benefit to their employed veterinarians. “The AVMA has had to work hard to maintain membership and show value to the corporate entities who have to look at every dollar spent to please the venture capitalists. My concern is the potential to dilute the value of veterinary medicine and the human animal bond, which we hold so dear in our profession.”
Paula has also served on her state association (Michigan Veterinary Medical Association) as a board member, then member of the executive committee and eventually President of the association. Outside of veterinary medicine she has also served her community in the Rotary Club, local education foundation, and local hospital board member and eventual chairman.
Justin Toth, DVM
At-Large Member
“As independent practitioners, it is our responsibility to show our colleagues the advantages of business ownership. I believe that this message is best communicated via a multifaceted approach, including effective exit strategies, practical buy-in tactics, powerful group purchasing organizations, and a unique branding to separate the independent practitioner from the large corporations.”
Dr. Justin Toth is a 1997 graduate of Auburn University. He founded Dallas Highway Animal Hospital in Powder Springs, Georgia, in 2001. He currently serves as the President of the Cobb County VMA and is the President-elect of the Georgia VMA. He also serves as a member of the Cobb County Animal Services Board, and he is an AVMA Alternate Delegate representing Georgia. He is a Board member of the AVMA State Advocacy Committee.
Amy Tate, DVM
At-Large Member
I am the managing partner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. I started this journey in 1992 as a kennel technician and high school kid with big dreams! I have been blessed to continue my professional career at this clinic as an associate in 2000 after attending Auburn University for undergraduate work and Veterinary School. I became a partner in 2008 after my daughter was born, and recently took over after our founding partner retired in 2020.
I have worked very hard since the announcement of our founding partners retirement to seek funding and guidance to maintain Riverview’s independent practice status. It is my mission to create a place where people want to work and clients want to visit. Riverview is dedicated to providing progressive patient-centered care for every patient every time. It is the hardest job I have ever had but the most rewarding. I hope groups like IVPA can provide support and guidance to those clinics that want to stay independent in order to provide the care, practice the best medicine, and create a workspace that is what they want it to be.
My best advice to young veterinarians contemplating ownership is to simply DO IT. It will be challenging, but it will also be one of the most rewarding things you could ever embark on! Find a peer group for support because that is key. Hopefully, IVPA can be that group for many more young, upcoming DVMs and owners for years to come!
Christie Donahue, DVM
At-Large Member
Dr. Christie Donahue has a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan. In 2022, Dr. Donahue earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Michigan State and became certified in Veterinary Medical acupuncture. She joined Chelsea Animal Hospital in 2005. What Dr. Donahue enjoys most about working at Chelsea Animal Hospital is serving geriatric patients to help their owners give them the best quality of life for as long as possible. On the whole, Dr. Christie Donahue appreciates the opportunity to work with each pet and family to identify and meet their unique needs.
Away from work, Dr. Christie Donahue sets aside time to go to the gym, try to grow a small orchard and explore new places. She adores spending quality time with her dog Dew, a German Shepherd who loves to play with his Jolly Ball. Dr. Donahue also shares her home with an Eclectus parrot named Fizz who asks her “What are you doing?” every morning while waiting for breakfast. Last but definitely not least, she has a cat named Holly who simply enjoys curling up in her laundry.