Doctor Leadership Program
Veterinary medicine needs more compassionate, capable, and collaborative leaders—and at Veterinarian Partners, we believe those leaders are already within our hospitals. They just need the right tools and support to grow into their full potential.
The Doctor Leadership Program (DLP) is a structured, two-year experience created for associate veterinarians and new medical directors who are eager to take the next step. With a focus on practical skill-building, strategic development, and personal growth, this program prepares doctors to confidently lead hospitals, shape culture, and make a lasting impact in their careers and communities.
What is the Doctor Leadership Program?
Designed with the realities of practice life in mind, the Doctor Leadership Program blends real-world relevance with high-level learning. It’s about equipping veterinarians with the skills they didn’t learn in vet school, but need every day as leaders, alongside the opportunity to learn directly from those who’ve walked the path before. Through access to VP leadership and faculty made up of seasoned doctors who have built thriving hospitals, participants gain not only practical tools, but mentorship from some of the best in the profession.
Through the DLP, participants develop:
Foundational leadership skills, including communication, emotional intelligence, and team motivation
Financial fluency by understanding how to read and use P&Ls, key performance indicators (KPIs), and budgets
Strategic thinking, such as building an overall hospital vision, setting goals, and measuring success
Conflict resolution and feedback skills by managing team dynamics with professionalism and empathy
Operational know-how by learning how to oversee schedules, workflow, inventory, and systems
Self-awareness and confidence via identifying leadership styles and managing challenges with poise.
Veterinarians graduate from the program with greater confidence, stronger peer networks, and a clearer path forward, whether they aspire to become a medical director like Dr. Biele, launch a de novo hospital like Dr. Smith, or shape the future of the profession like every one of our partners.
Building confident, capable veterinary leaders.
How the program works
The Doctor Leadership Program is built for working veterinarians and thoughtfully structured to support development over time. Each participant is matched with a small cohort of peers to share insights and grow together throughout the journey. You'll also gain direct access to Veterinarian Partners leadership, including doctors who have successfully built and led hospitals from the ground up. These experienced mentors serve as faculty and sounding boards throughout the program, offering real-world guidance and personalized support.
Here’s what you can expect:
Length: 2 years
Format:
- Two in-person leadership retreats per year
- Virtual programming every other month
- Access to the VP network of resources and leaders for ongoing support
Curriculum highlights:
- Leadership styles and self-assessment tools
- Understanding KPIs and hospital financials
- Coaching and team development
- Navigating change and leading through uncertainty
- Operational strategy and hospital growth planning
- Pathways to ownership and entrepreneurship
Discover how Dr. Kari Strohmaier stepped into leadership and led her hospital to national recognition with support from the Doctor Leadership Program.