Wedgewood Enhances Veterinary Expertise with Two New Advisory Councils

Wedgewood Expands and Evolves Its Veterinary Advisory Committee with the Launch of Two New Councils to Strengthen Clinical Collaboration and Strategic Insight

Wedgewood, a long-standing leader in veterinary pharmacy and a trusted partner to veterinary professionals across the United States, has announced a significant evolution of its Veterinary Advisory Committee structure. This transformation underscores Wedgewood’s unwavering commitment to advancing animal health through deeper collaboration, broader expertise, and forward-looking insight from within the veterinary profession. As part of this initiative, Wedgewood is launching two distinct yet complementary advisory bodies—the Strategic Veterinary Council and the Specialists Customer Council—that will help steer the company’s strategy and innovation in ways that are firmly grounded in clinical practice and aligned with industry trends.

The decision to expand and restructure the advisory framework reflects Wedgewood’s rapid growth and its central role in supporting a diverse and evolving veterinary landscape. The new councils aim to foster dynamic dialogue with leaders in veterinary science, clinical care, education, business operations, and regulatory affairs. They will serve as key sounding boards to ensure that Wedgewood remains agile, relevant, and proactive in meeting the real-world needs of veterinary professionals.

Creating a Stronger Feedback Loop Between Strategy and Clinical Practice

Each council has been designed with a unique purpose and composition to enhance Wedgewood’s responsiveness to the profession’s broad spectrum of needs. The Strategic Veterinary Council is focused on the macro-level direction of veterinary medicine, including emerging technologies, educational paradigms, regulatory shifts, and practice models. In contrast, the Specialists Customer Council brings together practicing specialists who are deeply engaged in day-to-day patient care, offering practical insights on product utility, service delivery, and workflow integration.

Both councils share a common mission: to ensure that Wedgewood continues to innovate with purpose and remains deeply attuned to the clinical, operational, and emotional demands of the profession. By building stronger bridges between strategy and practice, the company hopes to accelerate the development of solutions that are scientifically rigorous, operationally seamless, and clinically impactful.

Strategic Veterinary Council: Thought Leaders Guiding the Future

The newly formed Strategic Veterinary Council features an impressive roster of thought leaders representing a diverse array of disciplines, including academic research, clinical pharmacology, internal medicine, business operations, education, and zoo medicine. These individuals bring decades of cumulative experience shaping the future of veterinary science and practice.

Among the distinguished members of the Strategic Veterinary Council are:

  • Dr. Dawn Boothe, Professor Emerita and a board-certified pharmacologist, whose work in clinical pharmacology has helped define therapeutic approaches for generations of veterinary professionals. Her commitment to evidence-based medicine and pharmacologic education is an invaluable asset to Wedgewood’s mission of ensuring accuracy, safety, and efficacy in compounded therapies.
  • Dr. Kelly Cairns, Vice President of Medical Excellence and Education at Thrive Pet Healthcare, contributes deep expertise in internal medicine and a strong focus on clinician education. Her work emphasizes empowering veterinary teams through continuous learning and best-in-class clinical protocols.
  • Brian Carlson, Director of Operations at Old Derby Animal Hospital, brings a strategic business lens to the council. As a respected veterinary business consultant, Carlson advises on growth, scalability, and operational efficiency, areas essential for supporting evolving veterinary practices.
Wedgewood
  • Dr. Matthew Edson, the founding dean of the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University, is a passionate advocate for veterinary education reform. His work focuses on producing confident, practice-ready graduates who are equipped to meet the challenges of modern veterinary care.
  • Dr. Andrea Johnson, co-founder of PetVet365, is at the forefront of reimagining practice ownership and pet care delivery. Her innovative approach to access, affordability, and practice model disruption brings a crucial perspective to the council’s strategic conversations.
  • Dr. Natalie Marks, a media-savvy veterinary leader and CEO of VANE, has long been recognized as a national voice in veterinary communication. With her work spanning education, media, and advocacy, Marks brings powerful insight into how veterinarians connect with clients and the broader public.
  • Dr. Joshua Stern, Associate Dean and Professor of Cardiology at North Carolina State University (NCSU), leads pioneering research in cardiology and genetics. His work at the intersection of translational medicine and clinical care informs how new discoveries can be brought from bench to bedside in veterinary medicine.
  • Dr. Dean Vicksman, Chair of the Board at EveryCat Health Foundation, contributes a wealth of knowledge on feline health and welfare. With decades of advocacy behind him, Vicksman ensures that feline medicine remains a priority in broader strategic discussions.
  • Dr. Sathya Chinnadurai, Senior Vice President of Animal Health at Brookfield Zoo, is a globally respected figure in zoological medicine and conservation. His expertise extends across species and ecosystems, providing a unique lens through which Wedgewood can evaluate its role in supporting veterinary professionals working in non-traditional and conservation settings.

This diverse council will serve as a cornerstone for Wedgewood’s strategic planning, enabling the company to anticipate future shifts in veterinary medicine and adapt proactively. Their input will help shape new service lines, refine educational initiatives, and guide Wedgewood’s engagement with the veterinary ecosystem at large.

Specialists Customer Council: Clinical Voices from the Front Lines

The second newly formed body, the Specialists Customer Council, is composed of highly respected veterinarians who are immersed in the day-to-day clinical challenges of specialized care. These council members provide invaluable feedback rooted in their hands-on experience across oncology, ophthalmology, internal medicine, and feline-exclusive practices. Their frontline perspectives will help Wedgewood fine-tune its product offerings, improve its service delivery model, and prioritize innovation that addresses unmet clinical needs.

Members of this council include:

  • Dr. Gary Block, President of the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Association and co-founder of OSVS and BSVESS referral hospitals. A long-time proponent of clinical rigor and data-driven decision-making, Dr. Block will offer insights into how Wedgewood can support evidence-based practice across specialty care.
  • Dr. Jane Brunt, Executive Director of the CATalyst Council and founder of Maryland’s first feline-exclusive hospital, is one of the nation’s leading voices in feline care. Her leadership ensures that cat-focused practices receive the support, tools, and therapies they need to thrive.
  • Dr. Rustin Sturgeon, National Medical Director of Ophthalmology at Pathway Vet Alliance, is an expert in both surgical and medical ophthalmology. His background in medical excellence coaching will guide Wedgewood’s efforts in clinician education and product optimization.
  • Dr. Rob Swinger, a board-certified ophthalmologist and Medical Director at Elite Veterinary Specialists, contributes both depth and breadth in specialty eye care. His practical input on ophthalmic treatment protocols and formulation preferences will be vital for product refinement.
  • Dr. Noël Lucas, founder of Blue Oasis Pet Hospital, is a progressive thinker focused on transparency in veterinary care and mental wellness for veterinary teams. Her advocacy for clinician well-being aligns with Wedgewood’s mission to support the whole veterinary professional—not just clinical outcomes.
  • Dr. Stephanie Correa, founder and president of Animal Cancer Care Clinic, leads the largest dedicated veterinary oncology network in the country. Her expertise will directly inform how Wedgewood can support oncology practices with high-quality, consistent, and scalable pharmaceutical services.

This council is uniquely positioned to help Wedgewood remain attuned to the pressures, complexities, and innovations shaping specialty veterinary care. Their feedback will help ensure that compounded therapies and pharmaceutical services not only meet gold-standard specifications but are also delivered in ways that support efficiency, compliance, and patient comfort.

A Commitment to Collaboration, Innovation, and Clinical Excellence

“This is an exciting time for Wedgewood as we expand our collaborations and deepen our roots across the veterinary profession,” said Dr. Rae Hutchins, Chief Veterinary Officer at Wedgewood. “By evolving our Advisory Committee into these two robust councils, we are ensuring that we remain at the forefront of clinical innovation while staying grounded in the practical realities of everyday care. These partnerships give us direct insight into what veterinarians need—and how we can serve them better.”

This initiative reflects more than just a structural change—it signals a renewed dedication to partnership, transparency, and shared purpose. Wedgewood’s evolution of its advisory framework is part of a broader strategy to build smarter, faster, and more clinically aligned solutions for veterinary medicine.

Through these councils, Wedgewood is deepening its long-standing commitment to being a responsive, engaged, and forward-thinking partner. As the veterinary profession faces increasing complexity and demand, Wedgewood stands ready to meet the moment—guided by the people who live it every day.

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