Paws and profits: Ohio State names Leah Dorman, DVM, director of outreach for new rural veterinary education and agriculture protection program

On the East Coast, Harmony Animal Rescue Clinic (HARC) in Apex, North Carolina, serving only cat and dog rescue organizations, has a new executive director. MI:RNA has appointed a new chief veterinary officer to support its commercial and clinical efforts. Meanwhile, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine has launched a statewide initiative to promote rural veterinary education and protect Ohio’s agricultural economy, naming a new director of outreach and engagement. Continue reading to learn more about each of these individuals.

Ericka Basile, executive director, Harmony Animal Rescue Clinic

HARC recently appointed Ericka Basile as its new executive director. Basile has more than 2 decades of leadership experience in animal welfare and the pet industry, including product development and Sales.

Basile is the cofounder of a shelter enrichment program, alongside KONG toy company cofounder, Joe Markham. She has also volunteered with therapy dogs in cancer wards and contributed to marketing the new facility for Naples Humane Society. In addition, she is an on-call product expert for Good Morning America’s pet product segment and has raised more than $5 million for animal rescue efforts.¹ According to HARC, Basile’s work in product development and sales has earned recognition from Forbes, Pet Business Magazine, and the American Pet Products Association.¹

Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ, CFCP, Elite FFCP-V, chief veterinary officer, MI:RNA

Earlier this fall, veterinary diagnostics company MI:RNA announced Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ, CFCP, Elite FFCP-V as its new chief veterinary officer, where she will help with the company’s clinical and commercial strategy. Marks has more than 20 years of experience in clinical practice, media, and veterinary entrepreneurship. In addition to being a certified veterinary journalist, Marks is a clinical consultant for dvm360 and serves on the advisory board for multiple early-stage animal health companies. She is the CEO and co-owner of the Veterinary Angel Network for Entrepreneurs (VANE). Additionally, Marks is the recipient of Nobivac’s Veterinarian of the Year (2017), America’s Favorite Veterinarian by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (2015), and Petplan Veterinarian of the Year (2012).

"As a profession, we have just scratched the surface in creating diagnostics for the earlier detection and screening of diseases, especially those with significant subclinical stages. I was immediately fascinated by MI:RNA’s diagnostic technology and its potential to bridge a significant gap in veterinary medicine across numerous species,” Marks said in a news release.² “I look forward to working with a team that is pioneering the use of microRNAs to empower veterinarians with tools for more proactive care,”

Leah Dorman, DVM, director of outreach and engagement for Protect OHIO program

At the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbus, Leah Dorman, DVM, has been appointed director of outreach and engagement for the college’s new Protect One Health in Ohio (OHIO) program. The new program was developed to educate more large animal and rural veterinarians in Ohio while focusing on enrolling more students from rural communities. Protect OHIO also aims to expand risk assessment and surveillance programs to help protect Ohio’s agricultural economy.

In her new position, Dorman will be the primary liaison between Protect OHIO and agricultural stakeholders, rural communities and industry partners, as well will lead outreach and education efforts to increase veterinary student enrollment from rural Ohio, promote large animal veterinary careers, and support graduates return to and stay in rural practice. In her most recent role, Dorman was the senior director of communications and consumer engagement at Phibro Animal Health Corp. She has also worked with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and was assistant state veterinarian for Ohio.

“Feeding people is a shared responsibility and it starts with healthy animals, resilient communities and a strong veterinary workforce,” said Dorman in a university press release.³ “This work is deeply personal to me. I’ve spent my career listening to rural voices, mentoring passionate students, and building trust with Ohio’s agricultural and veterinary communities."

References

1. Harmony Animal Rescue Clinic appoints Ericka Basile as executive director. News release. Harmony Animal Rescue Clinic. November 12, 2025. Accessed November 24, 2025.
2. Renowned veterinarian and industry leader Dr. Natalie Marks appointed chief veterinary officer at MI:RNA. News release. October 30, 2025. Accessed November 24, 2025.
3. College appoints Leah Dorman, DVM ’95, director of outreach and engagement for the Protect One Health in Ohio Program. News release. The Ohio State University. October 29, 2025. Accessed November 24, 2025. https://vet.osu.edu/news/college-appoints-dorman-director-outreach-engagement-protect-one-health-ohio