Kelley Meyers, DVM, MBA, has been named the director of the Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center. She will assume the role October 1, 2021.
Meyers comes to MSU from the Michigan Humane, where she was the chief medical officer. Prior to this, she held several senior leadership positions at Michigan Humane. She also was a medical director and field director for Banfield Pet Hospital, and worked in private practice, where she treated both large and small animals. During her tenure at Michigan Humane, Meyer’s successful innovations included the development and implementation of a telemedicine program and online pharmacy and improved access to veterinary care and shelter diversion through a One Health, preventative care program. In addition, she grew an externship program by more than 500 percent, and created a summer job program to help pre-vet and veterinary students gain crucial technical skills while solving a challenging shelter staffing problem.
“Dr. Meyers brings vision, purpose, and renewed focus to MSU, and I am excited that she joins us as the director of the Veterinary Medical Center,” says Dr. Birgit Puschner, dean of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. “She is an innovative leader with a proven record of building excellent professional services for the public. With her insight and expertise, she will enhance our educational and clinical programs, as well as bolster the translation of research discovery into the most advanced care for our patients.”
The MSU Veterinary Medical Center provides the foundation for clinical teaching in the College’s DVM and Veterinary Nursing Programs, as well as primary, specialty, and emergency care to thousands of patients each year.
As director, Meyers is responsible for the overall operation of the Hospital and, together with the chiefs of staff and department chairpersons, will build on the Hospital's existing level of excellence. She also will direct and build communication with referring veterinarians, animal owners, staff, other units on campus, and the community. Meyers takes over direction of the Hospital amid several atypical events: big construction projects, transitions to new software programs, and the constant evaluation of COVID-19 safety measures.
“The diversity of my background and passion for leadership and business will help the Hospital and College achieve their goals together,” says Meyers. “This is an exciting time to be joining the veterinary teaching hospital. I look forward to working with this amazing team to build on their long history of outstanding care.”
Meyers earned her veterinary degree from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Following veterinary school, she was an associate production veterinarian in Dalhart, Texas. She went on to work for both small and mixed-animal practices prior to joining Banfield in 2007. After working in organized medicine, and later with Michigan Humane, Meyers wanted to develop and strengthen her business acumen, so she earned her MBA at Michigan State University in 2013.
"Teaching is fundamental to the mission of the Hospital,” says Puschner. “Dr. Meyers has shown herself to be an innovative leader, creative thinker, and effective communicator. All qualities that are critical to providing the very best education to the next generation of veterinary professionals and scientists."