The newer normal of communicating with clients

Jill Clark, DVM, spent 17 years as an Assistant Director on feature films, commercials, and documentaries before changing direction and becoming a veterinarian in 1996.  She practiced in a multi-doctor group of small animal practices known for creating an exceptional client experience as an associate and then as Medical Director before joining a group of entrepreneurial veterinarians who grew their hospital group from 8 to 80 hospitals.  She was vice president of Operations for this group before joining VCA, managing 22 general and specialty practices with a continued focus on client experience as a competitive advantage.  In 2009, she joined VCA’s Executive Team and was responsible for VCA’s doctor recruiting team as well as creating VCA’s corporate university, WOOF-U, which served over 24,000 veterinary team members.  In 2016, Clark founded IGNITE Veterinary Solutions, a modern learning company focused on bringing high-end learning experiences to all veterinary teams across the globe.  She has a special passion for Client Service teams and elevating their role to its fullest in our profession. She is one of the founders and President of the newly formed, North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists.

Sarah Machell, DVM,  is a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College and previously owned and operated a Small Animal Practice outside of Toronto, Canada for 18 years.  Since transitioning her practice in 2018 she has worked in a variety of industry spaces, with a special interest in technology and virtual care. Machell is passionate about maximizing the capacity of veterinary practices to engage with and effectively leverage technologies to improve practice efficiencies, patient outcomes and professional satisfaction.  One of Sarah's current roles is the Medical Director for PetPath, a digital tool that provides a critical bridge between inpatient and outpatient care.

Alex Ehrich, co-founder of PetPath and Liberty University graduate, is passionate about transforming lives and bringing innovative ideas to life.  Ehrich has spent the past four years in the tech space, bringing products to market that enhance organizational effectiveness and improve user experiences.  In 2022, Ehrich teamed up with a veterinary neurologist and several business partners to launch PetPath. This digital care companion guides pet owners through their pet's most stressful moments, while freeing up veterinary care teams to focus on their core passion: providing exceptional animal care.