Originally considering a career in mixed animal practice, Welch’s trajectory changed during her first clinical experience at MSU: a rotation in emergency and critical care (ECC). However, her passion for ECC arose in an unusual—and deeply personal—way. Welch’s own dog, Boston, was hit by a car and ended up in the ICU while she was there training.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to make it through the rotation because I was so emotionally distraught,” says Welch. “But being able to see ECC from both the clinician and the client perspective taught me so much about the importance of compassion and empathy, and that is what really made me think about going into emergency and critical care.” Fortunately, Boston made a full recovery, but the experience left a lasting impression on Welch.

Welch’s mentors, Drs. Matthew Beal and Ari Jutkowitz, reinforced these values, modeling calm, controlled leadership in high-stress situations. Welch recalls that Jutkowitz used to sit on the floor to speak with clients at their level, prioritizing comfort and clarity during difficult conversations. “I carry that approach with me to this day,” says Welch.

After completing an internship at the University of Pennsylvania and a residency in ECC at Tufts University, Welch became board certified and took on leadership roles in specialty veterinary hospitals. She spent a decade as chief of ECC at a large multi-specialty hospital in South Carolina before designing and building a hospital from the ground up in another area of South Carolina that didn’t have a referral hospital. These experiences got her thinking about ways to fill the gap in access to advanced veterinary care.

Recognizing the barriers that many clients face when seeking specialty care, Welch founded DVM STAT Consulting in 2019. The teleconsulting service allows veterinarians across the US and Canada to consult with board-certified specialists, expanding access to high-quality care when in-person referral is not possible.

Welch’s work with DVM STAT is already making a significant impact, with over 13,000 individual case consults completed to date. “In situations where a referral is not possible financially or not possible due to the geography of the clinic, we’re able to go in and get that pet top-tier care,” says Welch. Her team focuses on supporting all veterinarians so that they are able to practice confidently, with constant support from veterinary specialists.

To further support the veterinary community, DVM STAT also recently launched a free 12-hour continuing education series focused on ECC and client communication.

Beyond clinical care, Welch is passionate about mentoring young veterinarians. Through leadership roles and teaching engagements, she helps new graduates develop clinical confidence, navigate difficult client conversations, and refine their diagnostic skills.

“I love helping young vets obtain the ability to trust themselves,” Welch says. “I often remind them that they know more than they think they know, and that as they gain experience, they will start to recognize the patterns of common conditions.”

For current veterinary students, Welch recommends taking every opportunity to learn. “Get involved in as many cases as you can. Ask questions and shadow interns and residents. Opportunities to apply book knowledge really help solidify everything that is taught in the early years of vet school, and these experiences strengthen you as a clinician.”

From her formative years at MSU to leading the charge to expand access to specialty care, Welch’s journey highlights the impact of mentorship, passion, and a deep commitment to advancing the field. Looking ahead, she remains focused on finding new ways to support veterinarians and improve patient outcomes through innovation, education, and collaboration.

Mentorship was pivotal for Welch, and now, she’s enjoying the chance to pay that forward. “My mentors inspired me to be the clinician and teacher that I am, and it’s my privilege to now be in a position to do the same for others.”

Interested in learning more? Shoot Welch an email at Kristin.welch@dvmstat.com