Introducing the New Order Of Veterinary Leaders
Pam Hale, DVM, MBA, JM, has held numerous high level leadership roles within veterinary medicine, from chief of staff to chief medical officer. She is a highly engaged veterinary industry consultant as an operation, start up and firm building subject matter expert. She is a graduate of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. Earning her Master of Business Administration from St. George’s University. Hale also earned in 2023 a Juris Master’s degree from Florida State University. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Georgia VMA. She serves on the Dean’s Counsel for Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine and the American Veterinary Medical Association Professional Liability Insurance Trust. She served on the inaugural board of the Wedgewood Pharmacy Advisory Board from 2022-2023. She recently joined the board of the Society of Veterinary Medical Ethics (SVME). In addition, she is a member of Vet Partners and the CHIEF organization for women executives. She shares her home in Atlanta, GA with 5 pups and husband, Chuck (USAF veteran retired). George Melillo, VMD, founder and chief veterinary officer of Heart + Paw, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He has had a long career working in private practice, as a practice owner, and in corporate veterinary medicine. In addition, Melillo has also been involved in two successful start-ups in human pharmaceuticals. Melillo started Heart + Paw with a passion for the profession. His vision was to create a practice where veterinarians and veterinary care providers, who he believes have the noblest of hearts, can practice happy, healthy, and successfully. In addition, the vision for Heart + Paw was to reimagine pet care for the pet parent and create a new model of care for pets. Outside of veterinary medicine, Melillo lives with his wife of 34 years and his 12-year-old Jack Russell rescue, Pancho. Keith True, DVM, MBA, chose a career in veterinary medicine because of his love for animals, and a desire to pursue the many entrepreneurial opportunities the field offers. After graduating from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014, True became a partner at three hospitals in the Chicagoland area. During that time, he developed expertise in orthopedic surgery and discovered a love for building successful businesses, including the foundational work of developing strong, cohesive teams. His interest in business led True to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration. True founded True Vet Potential in 2023 with a goal focused on removing the barriers to practice ownership and providing the necessary business training and coaching to help veterinarians thrive in the field of entrepreneurship. True and his wife, Lauren, are the proud parents of 4 young children and enjoy traveling the world, whether it be for marathon running or pleasure.
