What if the most effective way to innovate in veterinary medicine isn't to start something new, but to take something that already works and make it work better? This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak explore insights from Luke Hedlund, the Founder of Tucannon Partners, about exactly that approach. Luke is looking for one business within vet med to manage and make a majority investment in. He is open to vet clinics, but he’s more focused on vendors to vet clinics. Luke shares his approach to fixing the issues that frustrate everyone - ineffective meetings, unclear communication, and poor decision-making processes. He also discusses the risks of chasing inflated valuations over product-market fit, and explains why imaging and workflow improvements hold untapped potential for better pet care and business performance. Learn more about Tucannon Partners. Luke Hedlund recommends “The Manager's Handbook: Five Simple Steps to Build a Team, Stay Focused, Make Better Decisions, and Crush Your Competition” by David Dodson for practical leadership frameworks.
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296 - Dr. Michael Blackwell | AlignCare Health Inc.
This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Dr. Michael Blackwell from the University of Tennessee, and the Director of AlignCare Health Inc., about the increasing challenges families face in accessing veterinary care and how the One Health model offers a transformative solution. Dr. Blackwell explains that many of the barriers to care stem from human social and financial realities, not just veterinary logistics. By integrating veterinary services with human healthcare, social work, and community resources, One Health creates a holistic, family-centric approach that supports underserved families, mitigates the risks of zoonotic disease, and reduces long-term public health costs. The episode explores how AlignCare — a One Health initiative led by Dr. Blackwell — has the potential to reshape national veterinary service delivery and ensure no pet or family is left behind. Learn more about AlignCare Health Inc. Dr. Michael Blackwell recommends using all advances in AI for its transformative potential across sectors, including veterinary healthcare.
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295 - James Merchant | ClinicWise
Veterinary clinics are facing growing pressure from chaotic workflows, missed calls, scattered forms, and burned-out front-desk teams. This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak sit down with James Merchant, co-founder of ClinicWise, to explore how deeply integrated, AI-powered tools are helping practices streamline client communication, automate repetitive tasks, and reclaim hours of staff time each week. James shares how ClinicWise was co-designed with busy hospitals to ensure it solves real, everyday problems — from pre- and post-appointment workflows to personalized education and smart intake. Learn more about ClinicWise. James Merchant recommends “Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage“ by Alfred Lansing.
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294 - Cory Pinegar | Teem
This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak connect with Cory Pinegar from Teem about how veterinary clinics can reduce overhead and improve reliability by outsourcing administrative tasks to remote teams. Cory shares how Teem’s model uses structured training, real-time performance data, and an empathy-first approach to create scalable support without sacrificing service quality, even as staffing costs and turnover continue to rise. Learn more about Teem's Virtual Assistants. Cory Pinegar recommends “Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business” by Gino Wickman.
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293 - Lea-Ann Germinder | Germinder & Associates
This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Lea-Ann Germinder, Founder and President of Germinder & Associates, Inc. They chat about the complex challenges and transformative potential of Responsible AI (RAI) in veterinary medicine. Drawing from her PhD research and presentation at Cornell’s SAVY Symposium, Germinder outlines the ethical gaps, legal gray areas, and educational challenges shaping AI adoption in vet med. She also breaks down what clinics must know before adopting AI and why ignoring it isn’t an option anymore. Learn more about Germinder & Associates. Discover more about Goodnewsforpets.com. Lea-Ann Germinder recommends “AI Ethics“ by Mark Coeckelbergh.
The Veterinary Innovation Podcast covers the most interesting, exciting, and controversial topics in the industry today. Veterinary technology entrepreneurs Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zakharenkov chat with industry leaders and innovators about the biggest challenges they’re facing - and how they’re overcoming them.
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