293 - Lea-Ann Germinder | Germinder & Associates
Release Date: 05/29/2025
Veterinary Innovation Podcast
Veterinary professionals are masters of the clinic environment, but what happens when the electricity goes out, supplies run low, or a patient is miles from the nearest hospital? This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak connect with from and Exped Vet to discuss the evolution of Expedition Veterinary Medicine. Tom shares how his background in the British Army led him to create specialized training and assurance solutions for the working dog community and humanitarian responders. Learn how "survival" training — ranging from Arctic operations to tactical first aid — is helping...
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This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome , the Founder and CEO of , a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of long-acting therapeutics for companion animals. Todd, who previously founded a company that engineered the first clinically tested glucose-responsive insulin, explains why his pivot from a $500M human health exit to the pet health market makes perfect sense. Todd details how Akston's Ambifect platform is being used to develop treatments for chronic pain, dermatitis, and cancer that can last for six months or even a year on a single dose, reducing the burden on pet...
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This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome , co-founder of , a company designing and distributing realistic and affordable veterinary diagnostic simulations. Dr. Mitchell, who started the company with his brother and mentor based on his own struggles learning diagnostics, shares how SIMON's ultrasound and ophthalmic simulators allow students and doctors to practice skills for unlimited amounts of time without the stress, risk, or ethical concerns of a live patient. They discuss how customizable, tag-based probes for ultrasound — which can display both normal and pathological findings...
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High-end monitoring tech for pets is often too expensive and complicated for the average practice, creating a major barrier to reliable care. This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak joined by hardware entrepreneur , founder of , to discuss how his company is disrupting the space with affordable, non-invasive monitoring. Yale shares how Seismi makes continuous monitoring accessible to any clinic through accurate, affordable, subscription-free technology designed for real-world use. They also discuss what it takes to bring good hardware to life and how this innovation could make home monitoring...
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This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome , CEO and President of , to discuss how his company is challenging the consolidation status quo in veterinary medicine. Kimball shares his vision for a long-term growth model built on an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), designed to fight burnout and create wealth for doctors, technicians, and clinic staff — not just top-level executives. Learn why IVP pursued a fast IPO to ensure long-term stability and funding leverage, and how this unique structure aims to keep the future of veterinary ownership and leadership in the hands of the...
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This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with , Product Marketing Director at , about how smart wearables are moving way past “just GPS.”. David explains how their AI-powered collars use advanced GPS and motion tracking to spot changes in your pet’s activity, give you early clues about their health, and create customizable virtual fences. The discussion highlights the importance of innovation in creating closer, longer-lasting relationships between pets and their people. Learn more about . David recommends .
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This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with , a professor of cardiology at and member of the . She shares a unique perspective on how AI is transforming veterinary education and clinical practice. Dr. Gordon explains that rather than replacing veterinarians, AI is a tool that enhances efficiency and improves patient care by streamlining medical records and adding precision to diagnostic imaging. She also discusses her work with CEG, the not-for-profit group of board-certified veterinary cardiologists that provides independent clinical recommendations for canine and feline heart...
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This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome from to discuss how the startup became the first clinical-stage company focused on feline longevity. Alex explains why cats are better models than other species for pharmaceutical R&D and how repurposing existing drugs could accelerate new treatments. He shares insights into why longevity companies still move slowly, highlights common and unique feline aging mechanisms, and reflects on what these innovations could mean for veterinarians, pet owners, and the broader future of veterinary practice. Learn more about . Alex recommends .
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Puppies have clear care protocols — but what about seniors?This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak dive into conversation with from the about how her team is closing one of the biggest gaps in veterinary medicine. She explains how the Society is closing a critical gap in veterinary education by offering CE-certified training and a certification program for veterinarians and technicians. The discussion covers identifying senior and geriatric stages across breeds, creating proactive wellness plans, adapting clinics to reduce stress and support mobility, and using quality-of-life scales to...
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This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome from to speak about the company’s evolution from an online booking tool into a five-in-one veterinary platform. Joe explains how Chckvet integrates booking, analytics, communications, reviews, loyalty programs, and client portals into one customizable solution. He shares how client feedback has guided product development and reflects on lessons learned from scaling SaaS in dentistry, highlighting parallels to veterinary medicine. The discussion also explores where AI belongs in practice workflows, where it risks being unnecessary, and how...
info_outlineThis week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Lea-Ann Germinder, Founder and President of Germinder & Associates, Inc. They chat about the complex challenges and transformative potential of Responsible AI (RAI) in veterinary medicine. Drawing from her PhD research and presentation at Cornell’s SAVY Symposium, Germinder outlines the ethical gaps, legal gray areas, and educational challenges shaping AI adoption in vet med. She also breaks down what clinics must know before adopting AI and why ignoring it isn’t an option anymore.
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Lea-Ann Germinder recommends “AI Ethics“ by Mark Coeckelbergh.