Meet Our
Leadership Team
Our team is led by some of the best clinicians and business people in the veterinary profession. We understand your day-to-day because we’ve lived it and love it! We’re always here to listen and support you and your hospitals.
WE’RE A
Different Breed
Our leaders are a unique group of people from different backgrounds united by their passion for taking care of animals. All of our leaders play an active role in ensuring that our team members, practices, and culture thrive, but their different strengths are what make United Veterinary Care such a uniquely powerful force in the veterinary profession.
OUR LEADERS
Learn Who We Are & How We Can Help
Join Us In
Making a Difference.
Our team is united by the belief that we can make changes in the veterinary profession today that will create a better tomorrow. Learn how you can help us build a better future for pets and the people who love them.
Your Vision. Our Resources.
Together we are building a community of hospitals united by clinical excellence.
About Us
Careers
Partner With Us
Contact Us
Joseph M. Garcia
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Joseph M. Garcia has a broad range of healthcare experience. Over his career, Joseph has led teams at high growth provider-based healthcare companies.
Previously, Joseph was the Chief Executive Officer at Gastro Health. Over the course of six and a half years, Gastro Health grew from 60 physicians in one state, to nearly 400 physicians and 200 advanced practitioners in seven states. This growth allowed Gastro Health to recapitalize in 2021 and partner with OMERS Private Equity. Previously, was the CEO at Sage Dental. While at Sage, Joseph oversaw the rapid expansion of the group from twenty, to over sixty practices in Florida and Georgia. Prior to Sage, Joseph was the Chief Operating Officer at 21st Century Oncology, which he helped to grow into the largest provider of Radiation Oncology in the United States and Latin America. Prior to Joining 21st Century Oncology, Joseph was a Division Vice President at DaVita. At DaVita, Joseph honed his multi-site experience and recognized the power of culture. Prior to DaVita, Joseph was a Vice President of Operations at Sterling Healthcare, iHealth Technologies and Vivra Specialty Partners.
Joseph has a BSBA and M.B.A. from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
Kristan Chesnut
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Kristan brings 10 years of public accounting experience, and most recently, Kristan was a partner at PwC’s Deals practice. Kristan also worked for 3M for eight years, where her roles included corporate development, business development and strategy, global business director, debt capital markets and global treasury operations. Kristan specializes in the health services, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences industries. Kristan lives in Minnesota, with her husband Jed, and two children, Maddie and Flynn. Outside of work, Kristan spends as much time as possible outside hiking and skiing.
Rae Hutchins, DVM, DACVIM
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Dr. Hutchins has 23 years of experience in the animal health field, over 10 of which she spent practicing as a veterinarian and board-certified internal medicine specialist.
Dr. Hutchins received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from the University of North Carolina and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University. She completed a rotating internship and small animal internal medicine residency at North Carolina State University and went on to become board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Dr. Hutchins served as Medical Director of a large, multi-specialty hospital for 3 years prior to transitioning into hospital operations. She maintains an adjunct faculty position at North Carolina State University and has 6 peer reviewed published scientific articles.
Dr. Hutchins joined the United Veterinary Care team in 2021, crediting a shared belief in empowering and supporting the incredibly resilient and talented people who make up the veterinary profession with drawing her to our organization.
Dr. Hutchins lives in North Carolina with her family, which always includes a rescued beagle! When she’s not working, she enjoys paddle boarding and sharing her love of the outdoors, music, and animals with her family.
Janice Brown
CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER
Janice joined UVC with 20+ years of experience in multi-site Human Resources with oversight of all things HR, Payroll and Talent Acquisition. Janice has spent most of her career in retail and healthcare, in which the last decade has been devoted to the veterinary field. Most recently she served in various HR leadership roles at Mars Veterinary Health including Antech Diagnostics, VCA, and Pet Partners. She has an immense passion for enhancing the lives and careers of veterinary professionals and aspires to ensure that UVC is the destination employer.
Janice is native to the Northeast, residing in upstate New York with her husband and young adult children. She has a beloved German Shepherd, Stella, and recently added two beautiful ginger kittens, Hazel and Violet, to the family. Outside of work, Janice enjoys spending time in the beauty of the Adirondack Mountains, reading, traveling, cooking and decorating cakes.
Paula Bamford
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
Paula Bamford has joined our UVC team in the capacity of Chief Operating Officer. Paula has more than 20 years in building operational strength in organizations like UVC. Paula comes from Petco, where she spent the last 6 years as their operations leader building and managing 280+ Pet Care hospitals. In her role with UVC, Paula will work closely with Dr. Hutchins to rapidly build our operations capabilities so we can grow faster and profitably.
Paula comes to us with a demonstrated reputation for implementing and enhancing operational procedures and efficiencies in both public and private companies. Paula is a dynamic and persuasive communicator who is respected for establishing and sustaining loyal professional relationships. She is known as an inspirational leader and motivator with impressive emphasis on quality, accountability, and performance excellence.
Paula and her partner, Keith live in a suburb of San Diego, and enjoy all that the outdoors of SoCal has to offer.
Steve Collins
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
Steve Collins joins UVC as the Chief Information Officer (CIO). In his role, Steve will work closely with shared service and hospital leadership to upgrade our digital capabilities and make secure all aspects of UVC technology. He will develop an Enterprise Architecture to optimize UVC PIMS systems, improve quality of service, reduce IT costs, improve cybersecurity, and set us up for continued growth.
Steve has over 25 years of leading institutions on developing distinctive IT capabilities across multiple industries. He brings a consultative approach from his consulting time as well as a practical and thoughtful investment approach from his time working with Private Equity companies. Steve’s calling card is working closely with the frontline to develop a compelling vision, developing the plan, and bringing the right clinical, operations and support teams together to execute the vision.
Steve and his wife Kim live in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan and his son David is in college. Steve enjoys the outdoors and working on various trucks the family owns.