Veterinary Emergency Group appoints chief veterinary nursing officer

Congratulations to Ken Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM), on being named to this unique position for veterinary technicians.

The Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG)—a family of 20 emergency veterinary hospitals currently located in 7 states—has named industry leader Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM), as its first chief veterinary nursing officer. According to an association press release, Yagi's responsibilities will include developing fulfilling career pathways in veterinary nursing, raising nursing care standards and competency, enhancing team dynamics that celebrate autonomous nursing practice, and being a voice for the profession.

“This newly created position...is the first of its kind within the US veterinary industry,” says David Bessler, DVM, founder and CEO of VEG. “This appointment and Ken’s new role reflect the VEG mindset that nurses and technicians are professionals [who] contribute as equals, specializing in the practice of nursing care.”

Yagi wields veterinary technician specialist certifications in emergency and critical care as well as small animal internal medicine, and he holds a master’s degree in veterinary science. He currently serves as program director for the RECOVER initiative, a global effort to standardize how veterinary CPR is performed around the world. He also serves on the boards for various veterinary organizations and is an international speaker, author, and advocate for emergency care and the veterinary technician profession.

In 2016, Yagi received both the NAVTA Veterinary Technician of the Year award and the California Veterinary Medical Association Outstanding RVT of the year award. A year later, he also received RVT of the Year honors from the California Registered Veterinary Technicians Association.

“During my 20 years in the field, I have continued to promote compassionate and progressive care for my patients and their families,” says Yagi. “I’ve found the place to continue challenging the norm, starting with putting veterinary technicians and nurses in decision-making seats at every level. I look forward to reshaping the world of veterinary medicine alongside VEG.“

For more information on VEG's mission, go here.