Paws and profits: Celebrating career milestones in the veterinary industry

Advancements in the careers of individuals in the veterinary industry often means new opportunities for not only personal growth, but growth within the company they are advancing in. Outstanding career achievements can also lead to recognition in the profession, highlighting the contributions and leadership of individuals who drive change and progress.

The following individuals are being spotlighted in this week’s “Paws and profits” column:

Eve Hanks, PhD, BVMS, CertAVP, CEO of MI:RNA

Eve Hanks, PhD, BVMS, CertAVP, CEO of MI:RNA. (Photo courtesy of MI:RNA)

The inaugural Entrepreneurial Spirit Feather in Her Cap award was recently awarded to Eve Hanks, PhD, BVMS, CertAVP, CEO of MI:RNA—a veterinary diagnostics company headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, The award celebrates the achievements of women in animal health and aims to empower the next generation of industry leaders. Hanks, recognized at a ceremony in Orlando, Florida on January 27, 2025, was recognized for her remarkable contributions to the animal health industry, especially her commitment to empowering women in the profession.

Hanks was instrumental to the development of a strong pipeline of female talent at MI:RNA and across the industry through her mentorship. Her commitment to offering guidance, support, and opportunities for professional growth has empowered many women to achieve their highest potential, according to a news release.¹

“Eve’s impact on the veterinary world is substantial, with her visionary leadership and innovative approach transforming the landscape of veterinary diagnostics,” Lisa Lee, senior vice president of US Petcare, and Feather In Her Cap director, said in the release.¹ “Her commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace have been instrumental in MI:RNA’s success. This award is testament to her exceptional career achievements and her tireless efforts to inspire the next generation of women leaders in animal diagnostics."

Benjamin Daniels, JD, MPP, general counsel and chief compliance officer, Wedgewood

Wedgewood, a veterinary compounding pharmacy, has appointed Benjamin Daniels, JD, MPP, as its general counsel and chief compliance officer—a new role in the company. In his new position, Daniels will spearhead the company’s legal, regulatory, compliance, and quality teams.

“Wedgewood is at a pivotal moment of growth and innovation, and Ben’s exceptional legal and regulatory expertise will be critical as we lead the evolution of veterinary pharmacy,” said Alejandro Bernal, Wedgewood CEO, in a company release.² “With his extensive experience in healthcare law and compliance, and a proven record of driving operational excellence, Ben is uniquely positioned to help us achieve our vision of being the premier partner to veterinarians and pet owners by delivering unmatched pharmacy services and products for animal health.”

In his most recent role, Daniels was the general counsel and chief compliance officer at JORB Health Group, leading all legal affairs for the digital health start-up. He has also held positions at Amazon and Fresenius Medical Care. Currently, he is the chair of the life sciences practice group at the American Health Law Association.

Lance Yohe, CJF, farrier, UC Davis

Lance Yohe, CJF, farrier, UC Davis. (Photo courtesy of UC Davis)

UC Davis recently welcomed Lance Yohe, CJF,as its new farrier for its veterinary hospital’s Large Animal Clinic. With substantial experience in offering hoof care and developing therapeutic interventions, Yohe not only provides trimming, shoeing, and other hoof care at UC Davis, but works alongside the veterinary team at UC Davis to evaluate and address hood-related issues impacting a horse’s health.³

With more than 30 years of experience as a farrier, Yohe completed his education at the Eastern School of Farriery in 1993, later becoming a certified farrier and certified journeyman farrier through the American Farrier’s Association (AFA). He was an active member of AFA from 2008, serving as regional director and executive board member, and was also the director and vice president of the Western States Farrier Association.

"I’m excited to join the UC Davis team. It’s an honor to work with one of the best equine veterinary teams in the world,” said Yohe in a university report.³ “My philosophy toward developing customized shoeing plans based on the individual needs of each horse fits perfectly with UC Davis’ goal of providing personalized compassionate care to optimize the health and performance of their equine patients.”

Sabia Schwarzer, MA, chief corporate affairs officer, Independence Pet Holdings

Sabia Schwarzer, MA, chief corporate affairs officer, Independence Pet Holdings. (Photo courtesy of Independence Pet Holdings)

Sabia Schwarzer, MA, has assumed the position of chief corporate affairs officer in the Independence Pet Holdings (IPH) executive team. Schwarzer’s love for people and storytelling has helped multinational organizations build trust among key stakeholder groups, according to IPH. With more than 25 years in senior leadership positions at Allianz and Merck, she has been acknowledged multiple times by Provoke Media as one of the most influential in-house communicators worldwide.

"I am thrilled to join IPH, a company focused on the well-being of pets and pet parents. In a world that can sometimes feel uncertain, pets bring comfort and play a crucial role in supporting mental health and overall wellness. I'm eager to collaborate with my new colleagues across the IPH brands to make a meaningful impact," said Schwarzer in a company release.⁴

Jeff Werber, DVM, AB, chief veterinary advisor, ScribbleVet

Jeff Werber, DVM, AB is joining ScribbleVet, an AI-powered scribe, as its chief veterinary advisor. A past contributor to dvm360, Werber is the founder of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)-certified Century Veterinary Group in Los Angeles, as well as past president of the Association of Veterinary Communicators. He is also an Emmy award winner for his reporting of pet health. To date, Werber continues to make frequent appearances on CNN, KTLA, and other national media outlets.

"I am honored to join ScribbleVet in its mission to revolutionize the profession," said Werber in a ScribbleVet release.⁵ "Over the years, I've learned that clients don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. ScribbleVet helps me focus on my clients and patients instead of administrative tasks, and I'm excited to collaborate with them to bring this benefit to all veterinarians."

"Werber is well-known for his passion and focus on the client experience," said Rohan Relan, founder and CEO of ScribbleVet, in the release.⁵ "Unfortunately, veterinarians are often burdened with overhead that prevents them from being fully patient-focused. We believe that Werber's expertise will guide us in building AI that can enable every single vet to deliver exceptional client experiences."

References

1. Pioneering animal diagnostics company CEO awarded prestigious US honour. News release. MI:RNA. January 28, 2025.
2. Wedgewood appoints Benjamin Daniels as general counsel and chief compliance officer. News release. Wedgewood. January 21, 2025. Accessed February 6, 2025.
3. Warren R. UC Davis welcomes new farrier. University of California, Davis. January 17, 2025. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-welcomes-new-farrier
4. Independence Pet Holdings announces Sabia Schwarzer as chief corporate affairs officer. News release. Independence Pet Holdings. January 17, 2025. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/independence-pet-holdings-announces-sabia-schwarzer-as-chief-corporate-affairs-officer-302354390.html
5. ScribbleVet welcomes Dr. Jeff Werber as chief veterinary advisor; announces enhancements to AI scribe solution. ScribbleVet. News release. January 16, 2025. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scribblevet-welcomes-dr-jeff-werber-as-chief-veterinary-advisor-announces-enhancements-to-ai-scribe-solution-302353577.html