The Profitable Vet: Strategies for Financial Success in Veterinary Practice

Dr. Dick Goebel began the work of veterinary practice appraisal and brokerage as President of Simmons Great Lakes in 1998. He has since facilitated the sale of more than 150 veterinary practices and conducted more than 300 veterinary practice appraisals. Of special interest are valuations involving business or domestic partnership dissolutions, sometimes involving expert witness testimony. Prior to retirement, he served as Senior Associate with the company. He is a licensed real estate broker in Indiana. In 2010, he passed the certification requirements to become accredited by the Institute of Business Appraisers (AIBA). Dr. Goebel has published articles in JAVMA, Veterinary Economics, and AAHA Trends, and two book chapters. He earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Purdue University. After completing coursework in the Veterinary Management Institute that he helped launch in 1989, he taught the practice valuation segment for a number of years. (This course series has been re-branded as the Veterinary Practice Management Program at Purdue University.)He is a Charter Member of VetPartners, a national organization of veterinary practice advisors and consultants; served as their President in 2008; and is also a Charter Member of the VetPartners Valuation Council.Our profession has honored Dr. Goebel with service awards from AAHA, Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, and Purdue University. He was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine as well as a Distinguished Life Member of VetPartners.

Dr. Felsted graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in marketing. She spent twelve years in accounting and business management, including six years with the "Big-8" accounting firm of Arthur Young (now Ernst & Young). During this time, she also obtained an MS degree in Management and Administrative Science from the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Felsted attended the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A & M University and returned to Dallas following graduation to practice small animal and emergency medicine. Dr. Felsted later opened her own veterinary financial consulting firm and has worked with many general, emergency and specialty practices to improve their operations and profitability and as well as transition ownership. During this time, she became a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager and Certified Valuation Analyst. Dr. Felsted is a past member of the AVMA Convention Education Program Committee (Practice Management track) and has also served on the boards of VetPartners, the CATalyst Council, the Veterinary Economics Editorial Advisory Board and the CVPM Board of Directors. She has been published in numerous national and international veterinary journals and has also spoken at many local, national and international veterinary meetings. In 2011 and 2017, she was given the Western Veterinary Conference Practice Management Continuing Educator of the Year Award, and the 2014 VetPartners Distinguished Life Member Award and the 2023 VHMA President's Award.

Ms. Mamalis earned a BS in Natural Science and Math from the University of Wyoming, and an MBA and an MS in Information Technology from the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business. She worked for the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) for seven years, beginning with management education seminars and then becoming involved with the accreditation program. Ms. Mamalis joined Summit Veterinary Advisors in 2006 and was the sole owner from 2013 through 2022. She is a member of the National Association of Certified Valuator and Analysts, the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association, VetPartners and the VetPartners Valuation Council.Ms. Mamalis is an author and frequent speaker on practice value, profitability, and owner transition. She is an original columnist in Today's Veterinary Business. She has extensive experience helping veterinarians and managers understand financial reports so they can use that information to increase practice profitability and value.