Paws and profits: VetEvolve names first chief veterinary officer, NVA appoints two board members, and more updates

A veterinary practice community has created and filled a new chief veterinary officer role in response to feedback from its clinical teams, a major pet healthcare services company has added two board members with backgrounds in healthcare operations and animal health diagnostics, and a diagnostics industry organization has elected a new vice president to its executive committee. Continue reading to learn more about each individual.

Laura Pletz, DVM, chief veterinary officer, VetEvolve

VetEvolve has appointed Laura Pletz, DVM, as its first chief veterinary officer, a newly created role the company says reflects feedback from practice teams seeking additional clinical leadership, mentorship, and professional development support. Pletz brings more than 20 years of experience leading veterinarians and hospital teams across independent practice, specialty and emergency medicine, and multi-site medical operations. Most recently, she served as divisional vice president of medicine at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital.

Pletz earned her DVM from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and began her career in independent practice, where she became a practice owner. She is a past president of the Women's Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative and has been recognized as a Pet Age Women of Influence honoree and one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in St. Louis.

"What drew me to VetEvolve is the genuine commitment to supporting veterinarians while preserving what makes each practice special," Pletz said in a company news release.¹ "I'm looking forward to working alongside VetEvolve's medical teams and practice partners to help ensure that as we grow, we grow in ways that make it easier for them to practice medicine and deliver great care."

Laura Tortorella, MBA, and Tina Hunt, PhD, board members, National Veterinary Associates

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) has appointed Laura Tortorella, MBA, CEO of AccentCare, and Tina Hunt, PhD, former executive vice president of IDEXX Laboratories, to its board of directors. Tortorella brings more than 20 years of experience leading complex healthcare organizations, with a background spanning supply chain, pharmacy, laboratory services, and advanced analytics, and currently leads AccentCare, a national provider of post-acute and in-home healthcare services. Hunt brings more than two decades of executive leadership at IDEXX Laboratories, where she scaled its diagnostics franchise through the launch of AI-enabled platforms, and also brings governance experience as a former public company director and audit committee member at Veeva Systems.

"NVA has an important opportunity to continue advancing access to high-quality veterinary care while supporting the teams who deliver it every day," Tortorella said in a company news release.² "I am honored to join the Board and bring my experience leading healthcare organizations to help advance that mission."

"What attracted me to NVA is its deep commitment to clinical excellence and vision for fundamentally changing how pet families experience veterinary care," Hunt said in the release.² "NVA is uniquely positioned to shape the next era of animal health. I am excited to contribute to that future."

Eve Hanks, PhD, BVMS, CertAVP, vice president, Diagnostics for Animals Executive Committee

Eve Hanks, PhD, BVMS, CertAVP, of Mi:RNA, was elected vice president of the Diagnostics for Animals Executive Committee at the organization's General Assembly meeting on June 4, 2026.3 Diagnostics for Animals is an international organization focused on the development of veterinary diagnostics.

"Collaboration and innovation are essential to advancing veterinary diagnostics," Hanks said following her election.³3"It is an honour to have the opportunity to serve as Vice-President and work alongside fellow members to support the continued growth and impact of Diagnostics for Animals."

References

1. VetEvolve Appoints Dr. Laura Pletz as Chief Veterinary Officer. News release. VetEvolve. July 13, 2026. Accessed July 20, 2026.
2. National Veterinary Associates Welcomes Laura Tortorella and Tina Hunt, PhD, to Board of Directors. News release. National Veterinary Associates. July 9, 2026. Accessed July 20, 2026. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-veterinary-associates-welcomes-laura-tortorella-and-tina-hunt-phd-to-board-of-directors-302821295.html
3. Eve Hanks (Mi:RNA) was elected Vice-President of the Executive Committee of Diagnostics for Animals. News release. Diagnostics for Animals. June 10, 2026. Accessed July 20, 2026. https://diagnosticsforanimals.com/eve-hanks-mirna-was-elected-vice-president-of-the-executive-committee-of-diagnostics-for-animals/