Florida practice owner Link Welborn, DVM, DABVP, who has held national leadership positions serving the veterinary profession, is the new chief veterinary officer for Covetrus’ North American region.
Dr. Welborn, a 1982 graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, also is CEO of Veterinary Study Groups, the umbrella organization for more than 50 Veterinary Management Groups.
According to Covetrus, Dr. Welborn will “champion the role of the veterinarian in providing better care for animals, while counseling Covetrus on ways to deliver better business outcomes for veterinary practices.”
Dr. Welborn was the 2003-04 president of the American Animal Hospital Association, served from 2009 to 2016 as AAHA’s delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association House of Delegates, and is a past chair of the AVMA Veterinary Economics Strategy Committee. He received the AVMA President’s Award, the AAHA Practitioner of the Year Award, the University of Florida veterinary college’s Alumni Achievement Award and the AAHA Dedicated Service Award.
His six Tampa, Florida, practices are AAHA-accredited.
“The veterinary profession has undergone significant change over the last two decades,” he said. “I’ve witnessed first-hand how disruptions in business models, technology, e-commerce and consumer preferences have impacted veterinarians, challenging them to reinvent to succeed.
“I am very focused on facilitating a deeper connection between Covetrus and the veterinary profession as we work to elevate patient care, enhance veterinary practice success, and strengthen relationships between practices and their clients.”
Covetrus, a Portland, Maine-based provider of veterinary products and services, also reported the appointment of Deborah Sharkey as chief consumer officer, a new position. She will oversee marketing, product and strategy for the consumer group within Covetrus’ Global Technology Services.
Did you know a subscription to Today’s Veterinary Business is free to qualified veterinary professionals? All you have to do is sign up here (and renew each year). You also can sign up to receive the Today’s Veterinary Business weekly e-newsletter.