Ohio State hosts inaugural Bell Midwest Veterinary Leadership Summit
Originally Published
The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the inaugural Bell Midwest Veterinary Leadership Summit in Columbus, Ohio, May 19-21.
Designed for veterinary professionals at every career stage, from students to experienced leaders, the three-day summit centered on the theme, “The Power of Authentic Leadership: Building a Stronger Veterinary Profession.”
Bringing together 85 students, faculty, staff and veterinary professionals from across the Midwest, the summit explored how authentic leadership can strengthen teams, support well-being and create meaningful impact throughout the veterinary profession. Participants gained practical tools and strategies to lead with confidence, integrity and purpose.
The summit was planned and co-led by Sandra Dawkins, MPA, director of admissions and recruitment, and Sue E. Knoblaugh, DVM ‘97, DACVP, associate dean for faculty success and planning, both from Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
The presentations, panel discussions and interactive learning experiences were a collaborative effort among seven leading Midwest colleges of veterinary medicine: The Ohio State University, University of Illinois, Iowa State University, Michigan State University, Purdue University, University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin.
Participants consistently identified three strengths of the summit:
- High-quality presentations with engaging, dynamic, relevant and impactful delivery.
- Interactive learning experiences, including pairing exercises, table discussions and small-group activities.
- Practical, applicable content. Participants reported gaining tools, frameworks and insights they could immediately apply in their professional roles.
Attendee feedback reflected strong appreciation for both the quality of the programming and the opportunity to learn from and connect with leaders across the profession.
The success of the inaugural Bell Midwest Veterinary Leadership Summit demonstrates the value of collaboration among veterinary colleges and the
importance of investing in leadership development across the profession.
The Midwest veterinary college partners plan to continue the summit, building on the foundation established in Columbus and preparing the next generation of authentic leaders to advance the future of veterinary medicine.