Dr. Matthew MacLachlan, Assistant Professor of Veterinary Business and Economics at Cornell University, joins Dr. Andy Roark for a deep dive into one of the profession’s biggest debates: do we really need more veterinarians? With new vet schools popping up across the country, Andy and Matt unpack whether more graduates will actually solve the shortage in rural areas or simply flood urban markets. They dig into workforce economics, burnout, wages, and how retention may matter more than recruitment. Matt also shares what rising pet care costs, changing consumer behavior, and mid-level practitioner roles could mean for the future of veterinary medicine. This is a thoughtful, data-driven conversation that helps you see where the profession might be heading in the next decade. Gang, let’s get into this episode!
Matthew MacLachlan: https://www.matthewmaclachlan.com/
Matthew MacLachlan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-maclachlan-67247320/
AVMA Industry Tracker: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/veterinary-economics/veterinary-industry-tracker
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Dr. Matthew J. MacLachlan is an economist specializing in agricultural and resource economics. He earned his PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Davis, where he also completed dual bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Biology and Management and in Economics. Before joining Cornell University, Dr. MacLachlan served at the USDA’s Economic Research Service from 2015 to 2023, advancing to Senior Economist and earning multiple awards, including the John E. Lee Award for Sustained Excellence in Group Economic Analysis and several ERS Extra Effort Awards for his work on food price forecasting and COVID-19 economic impact studies. His research bridges agriculture, economics, and veterinary business management, contributing to policy insights and industry understanding at the intersection of economics and animal health.
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Inside the Uncharted Veterinary Community, Dr. Andy Roark hosts Office Hours where veterinary leaders can bring real-world challenges and get practical guidance from someone who understands the realities of practice life. These sessions give veterinarians, practice managers, and team leaders a chance to ask questions, workshop difficult situations, and gain perspective on issues like team dynamics, communication, burnout, and clinic operations. Instead of navigating leadership challenges alone, members get direct access to Andy’s insight along with the support of a community of veterinary professionals working through many of the same challenges.
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