IVPA Leadership
Arnold (Arnie) Goldman, DVM, MPH, CEM
President
Dr. Arnold L. Goldman of Canton, Connecticut, is a 1986 graduate of the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine and has been involved in organized veterinary medicine for over 25 years. In 2023 he completed a six-year term as AVMA treasurer and in 2024 was selected to represent the AVMA to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, meeting in Suzhou, China this year. In 2024 he was also elected as the second president of the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association, following its founder and outgoing president, Dr. Bonnie Bragdon in that role.
Dr. Goldman has spent his career in companion animal practice, founding Canton Animal Hospital in Canton, Connecticut, where he is still employed full time. He is also the attending veterinarian for the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloomfield, CT. In 2011 he completed a Master of Public Health degree at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and in 2015 was accredited as a Certified Emergency Manager by the International Association of Emergency Managers, the only veterinarian worldwide so designated at the time.
Dr. Goldman has served terms on the boards and as president of the Hartford County VMA, Connecticut VMA and New England VMA. He is founder of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Foundation (CVMF) and created its Connecticut State Animal Response Team (CTSART) program, its Companions-in-Crisis domestic violence mitigation program, and continues to serve on the CVMF board. He has served on disaster preparedness working groups for federal, regional and state governments and was founding president of the National Alliance of State Animal & Agricultural Emergency Programs. In 2005 the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association named Dr. Goldman, Connecticut Veterinarian of the Year, and in 2017, honored him again with their Distinguished Service Award.
Other honors include the 2024 University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Capitol Region Council of Governments Regional Leadership Award for development of Connecticut’s disaster program for domestic animals, the Canton Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year award, the HAVEN Service Award for development of an impaired health professionals support program, the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence’ First 100 Men Award for leadership in domestic violence mitigation, American Kennel Club’s Walter R. Bebout Award for Advocacy Leadership and the National Alliance of State Animal & Agricultural Emergency Programs’ Service Award.
Dr. Goldman and his wife Jill, a retired special education teacher, live in Canton, CT with their pets and have two grown children and one grandchild.
Why are you serving on the IVPA Board of Directors?
Renewed awareness and promotion of professional self determination through individual entrepreneurship as an integral, essential and time honored value of veterinary medicine must occur to preserve the veterinarian as the center of veterinary medicine. It is the individual veterinarian who pursued and earned their admission, education, diploma, license, experience and skills, and it is they who own their careers. In that sense, we are all entrepreneurs, in full command of our professional destiny. That sense of “ownership” must be instilled and emphasized in every student and graduate. Whether one chooses a career as an associate or takes the plunge into owning a private practice, the sense of control of one’s professional destiny is a big part of career satisfaction. We are all the subject matter experts, leaders and entrepreneurs of our individual careers. We must not allow that truth to be lost.
Paul DeMaris, DVM
Vice President
Veterinary Medical Education
Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1987
Present Professional Activity
Have been the owner of Alpine View Veterinary Hospital for 34 years. Recently brought on my practice manager as a partner. On the Leadership Development Committee and past president of WSVMA. Presently on the Level the playing field committee for the IVPA. Been mostly doing management and mentoring at my practice.
Why are you serving on the IVPA Board of Directors?
I feel very strongly about keeping Veterinary practices independently owned. I joined IVPA to be involved with similar people. My passion in the last 5 years has been to figure out how we as independents can compete and thrive. I have ideas to share and experience in strategic planning that can help the IVPA. My big goal is to figure out how we can drive our drug and supply costs down considerably by using our size to negotiate with suppliers.
Mark Helfat, DVM
Secretary
Veterinary Medical Education
Cornell University, 1977
Dr. Helfat graduated from Wesleyan University (B.A. '73) and Cornell University (D.V.M. '77) and resides in Lumberton, N.J. During his forty-seven years of practice(dairy and small animal) he owned two animal hospitals, served as President of the NJVMA, represented N.J. in the AVMA House of Delegates (8 years) and served six years on the AVMA Board of Directors (Chair 2017-2018). He presently is a member of a Dean's Committee at two veterinary colleges. Dr. Helfat founded Veterinary Practice Transition whose mission is to preserve the independently owned private practice by providing a financial-friendly process whereby the younger practitioner may locate and purchase an established veterinary practice and whereby the older practitioner may gain access to a viable and profitable exit strategy.
Paula Rode, DVM
Treasurer
“As I look at the field these days, I am concerned about the growing influence of corporate practice and feel strongly that independent practitioners need to work together to gain some of the opportunities afforded larger practices. We must also leverage that coalition to have a stronger voice in our national organization.”
Dr. Paula Rode has been a practice owner for 25 years and really values being able to make the decisions about how to practice medicine and manage a hospital on a day to day basis. She is owner of Chelsea Animal Hospital in Chelsea, Michigan.
Dr. Rode was a member of the Board of Trustees of the AVMA Trust since the PLIT and AVMA Life Trusts merged two years ago. Previously she was an AVMA Life trustee for eight years. She notes that the national practices have really challenged the AVMA and the Trust to offer benefit to their employed veterinarians. “The AVMA has had to work hard to maintain membership and show value to the corporate entities who have to look at every dollar spent to please the venture capitalists. My concern is the potential to dilute the value of veterinary medicine and the human animal bond, which we hold so dear in our profession.”
Paula has also served on her state association (Michigan Veterinary Medical Association) as a board member, then member of the executive committee and eventually President of the association. Outside of veterinary medicine she has also served her community in the Rotary Club, local education foundation, and local hospital board member and eventual chairman.
Jill Stetz, DVM
Director
“Being a solo practitioner brings many responsibilities, joys and challenges. It is crucial that independent veterinary practices have the resources, support and opportunities needed for the unique challenges we face in maintaining the vital importance of our position within our local communities. We also need to invest in the future of the profession, including inspiring, mentoring and working with new graduates as well as current and prospective veterinary students.”
Hailing from Allentown, Pennsylvania, Dr. Jill Stetz received her B.S. in biology and natural sciences from Muhlenberg College and then graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1994.
Since graduation, Dr. Stetz worked at multi-doctor small animal practices prior to purchasing Narberth Animal Hospital In Narberth, PA in 2005 after working there for 7 years. Dr. Stetz is a member of AVMA and serves on the American Board of Veterinary Specialties.
Dr. Stetz has seen the impact of animals on human lives through her experiences with her 2 giant schnauzer therapy dogs. She also serves on Muhlenberg College’s Alumni Board.
Grant Jacobson, DVM
Director
“Independent veterinary practice owners and associates are faced with new challenges as the presence of large corporate-owned practices expands. They need an organization such as IVPA to support non-corporate ownership as well as support its members who are facing this new, competitive dynamic. I am passionate about this profession and honored to help develop IVPA into an organization that will assist private practitioners in continuing to thrive.”
Dr. Jacobson owns The Hometown Veterinarian in Marshalltown, Iowa, which he opened in October 2018. Prior to starting his own small animal hospital, he spent 19 years working as an associate veterinarian for a practice he planned to purchase – that was until the owner decided to sell to a corporate consolidator. Rather than re-apply for his current position (at a lower salary), he decided to realize his dream of providing expert, ethical medical and surgical care for beloved pets and an unmatched service experience for their loyal humans.
A proud graduate of Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, he was recently featured on their website as part of the college’s #gentledoctorseverywhere campaign.
Justin Toth, DVM
Director
“As independent practitioners, it is our responsibility to show our colleagues the advantages of business ownership. I believe that this message is best communicated via a multifaceted approach, including effective exit strategies, practical buy-in tactics, powerful group purchasing organizations, and a unique branding to separate the independent practitioner from the large corporations.”
Dr. Justin Toth is a 1997 graduate of Auburn University. He founded Dallas Highway Animal Hospital in Powder Springs, Georgia, in 2001. He currently serves as the President of the Cobb County VMA and is the President-elect of the Georgia VMA. He also serves as a member of the Cobb County Animal Services Board, and he is an AVMA Alternate Delegate representing Georgia. He is a Board member of the AVMA State Advocacy Committee.
Christie Cornelius, DVM, CHPV, EMBA
Director
Veterinary Medical Education
Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, 2004
Rice University Executive MBA, CHPV
Present Professional Activity
VetSpark Business Consulting – Founder/Independent Business Analyst Disciplined Entrepreneurship, Strategic Innovation, Strategic Marketing, Business Development/Operations/Digital Transformation, Finance/Accounting, Executive coaching/mentorship.
Fair Winds Pet Hospice and 501c Fund: Founder/Independent Veterinarian in Galveston, TX. Veterinary hospice/palliative care, mobile hospice, hospice teams, in-home euthanasia.
Beloved Pet Software: Co-Founder; electronic tracking software for independent pet crematories; SaaS.
Why are you serving on the IVPA Board of Directors?
I have been a member of the independent veterinary community for 20 years and nothing motivates me more than helping other independent professionals thrive where they are at, through consultation, demonstration, education...I am always "at home" with other independent practitioners.
Now that I have been awarded an MBA degree, I would like to spend the last 20 years of my career mentoring and supporting other entrepreneurs and innovators in their startups, growth strategies, and career exits, particularly with the rise in consolidation and digital transformation (including the emergence of AI and AGI).
Shawna Garner, DVM
Director
Veterinary Medical Education
Ross University College of Veterinary Medicine, 2001
MS- Microbiology
Present Professional Activity
Ownership 11 years (est 2023) – Albright Veterinary Services.
Solo practitioner
Telehealth/Telemedicine Expert
Why are you serving on the IVPA Board of Directors?
Making sure that the needs of rural practice owners and solo owners are also represented in practice owner organizations.
Suzanne (Suzy) Magruder, DVM
Director
Veterinary Medical Education
University of Wisconsin, Madison, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1996
Present Professional Activity
Owner, small animal private practice – Saybrook Veterinary Hospital.
Previously on IVPA board and I continue to sit on a committee.
Previously, CVMA president
Why are you serving on the IVPA Board of Directors?
I fully support the IVPA’s objective to improve and encourage private veterinary practice ownership. I would like to work with the board in achieving these goals.
Bonnie Bragdon, DVM, MS
Co-Founder, IPP (Immediate Past President)
“Diversity in models for the delivery of animal health care will ensure animal owners have access to personalized care which meets their own emotional and financial needs as well as the physical needs of their animals. While industry consolidation can provide certain efficiencies to practitioners and consumers, maintaining options for veterinary clients will preserve the competitive landscape that drives innovation, quality, and choice.”
Dr. Bragdon strives to elevate the role of veterinarians in the business and practice of animal health through her work in organized medicine. She began her career in practice, serving for nearly 10 years as an associate veterinarian, owner-veterinarian and director with various animal hospitals and county animal control in the state of Georgia.
In addition to her responsibilities as a clinical practitioner, Dr. Bragdon excelled in operations management and transitioned to the administrative side of the industry, including roles as a Vice President of Marketing and Veterinary Affairs for Zomedica Pharmaceuticals, Technical Services Manager for Merck Animal Health (where she strategized and delivered continuing education on medical and clinical operations to companion animal practitioners), and Senior Marketing Manager at BonVet Animal Health. She also spent more than six years in progressive positions with Abbott Animal Health, including Senior Manager of New Products Scientific Assessment and Veterinary Liaison Manager before the company was acquired by Zoetis in 2015.
Dr. Bragdon received both her DVM and MS (Veterinary Clinical Sciences) from The Ohio State University, and has also pursued graduate coursework in business administration. Dr. Bragdon is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as well as the American Association of Industry Veterinarians (AAIV), and represents AAIV in the AVMA’s House of Delegates. Her primary goal in her work on behalf of IVPA members is to promote the unique value independent practices deliver to their clients, their patients, and their communities.
Meet Our Operations Team!
Pamela Stevenson, CVPM
Pam is a seasoned leader in veterinary practice management with over 40 years of experience. As Executive Director for the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association and the Veterinary Specialty Practice Alliance, owner of VetResults, VP of Finance for AskJanForHelp, guest faculty at the University of Florida CVM, a former instructor for Patterson Veterinary University, and a former Board of Directors member for VetPartners (.org), she brings expertise in practice and non-profit management. Pamela’s passion extends to philanthropic efforts combating homelessness. A sought-after speaker and published author, she’s recognized for her consulting work, dedication to advancing veterinary practice management, and preserving independent practice ownership.
Jennifer Tureli
She has lived in Phoenix, Arizona for 27 years. Jennifer and her husband, Tim, have 3 great kids in their 20s. They were both raised with dogs and have continued the tradition with their children. Their family has had many furry friends over the last 31 years – several have been rescue dogs. Besides spending time with family, Jennifer loves to cook, read, and take pictures of Arizona’s beauty. She is also a reading literacy tutor for 2nd and 3rd graders to help get them up to grade level readers. Over the years Jennifer has worked in many different industries in all sized companies. She has enjoyed working with small businesses and non-profits the most. Jennifer has been with IVPA for the last year and has enjoyed working with its members! In her role at IVPA, Jennifer handles Teleradiology Invoicing and Member Support Services.
Dharti Kumar
Dharti Kumar, born and raised in Panama within an Indian family, serves as the Administrative Assistant for IVPA. With an educational background holding a degree in Business Administration, Dharti is currently advancing her expertise by pursuing a Master’s in Finance. Her diverse skill set spans across marketing, finance, accounting, and administrative duties, making her a true all-rounder in her career. At IVPA, Dharti plays a pivotal role, offering comprehensive support across various domains to ensure the association’s smooth and efficient operation. Being a part of IVPA for the past year has truly been an incredible experience for Dharti!