Dr. Jaime Klimsey Pickett, DVM, MBA, isn’t your typical veterinary executive. With an impressive blend of clinical credentials and executive acumen, she stands as a rare force reshaping the operational landscape of veterinary medicine. As the CEO of Hannah Pet Hospitals, she led over 55 resorts and veterinary hospitals across 15 states, driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and clinical quality with a unique, mission-driven vision. Her background in veterinary medicine, business development, and executive leadership makes her a standout figure in an industry that increasingly demands both empathy and enterprise.
A Leader Forged at the Intersection of Medicine and Management
Dr. Pickett’s journey is rooted in a solid academic foundation: a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida, an MBA in Health from St. George’s University, and Executive Education from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. This rare combination of science, strategy, and leadership has shaped her into an executive who understands both sides of the veterinary business: the patients and the practice.
Before her current role, she served in senior executive positions where she oversaw clinical operations and strategy across dozens of hospitals. There, she increased average patient charges by 30%, boosted employee retention by 20%, and developed scalable systems for clinical care. Her ability to enhance both profitability and patient outcomes highlights her dual strength in clinical leadership and operational strategy.
Transforming Veterinary Healthcare Through Visionary Leadership
As CEO of Hannah Pet Hospitals, Dr. Pickett is responsible for shaping the strategic vision and long-term growth of a nationwide veterinary network. Her leadership model focuses on business growth, mission-critical planning, and mergers & acquisitions, areas where she excels with data-backed decisions and collaborative insight.
Her current initiatives include:
- Leading national expansion strategies
- Developing scalable, high-quality care models
- Optimizing financial planning and resource allocation
- Building strong partnerships with key stakeholders
She also serves on the Board of Directors, reinforcing her executive influence across governance and policy-making within the veterinary field.
Dr. Pickett doesn’t separate clinical care from business performance; she enhances both simultaneously. As former CEO & Present at Hannah Pet Hospitals, she has introduced process improvement frameworks that directly impact patient care. These include:
- Enhanced care protocols aligned with AAHA accreditation standards
- Incorporation of telehealth platforms to improve client engagement
- Standardized guidelines to ensure consistent service quality across locations
The result? Increased customer satisfaction, stronger team culture, and better financial performance.
Her approach draws on organizational effectiveness and change management, enabling her to respond to evolving market conditions while maintaining core values.
Dr. Pickett’s impact extends beyond clinical walls. Her entrepreneurial track record includes owning multiple Banfield Pet Hospitals and franchises in the food and beverage industry, including Papa John’s, where she achieved some of the highest revenues in the Northeast. Her ability to scale diverse businesses while upholding brand standards and employee morale speaks to her executive leadership and cross-industry versatility.
She is also a mentor, public speaker, and volunteer in initiatives such as Doorways, Virginia Medical Corps, and veterinary mentorship programs, demonstrating her commitment to uplifting both her profession and community.
Operational Excellence as the Catalyst for Industry Transformation
Within veterinary healthcare, burnout, staff turnover, and regulatory pressures are rising challenges. Dr. Pickett addresses these through a proactive strategy and investment in her teams. Her methods include:
- Designing workforce models that promote retention and professional growth
- Implementing data-driven planning for cost reduction without compromising care
- Creating incentive-based recruitment strategies to attract top-tier veterinarians
These initiatives make her an advocate not just for pets, but for people, especially the professionals tasked with their care.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Dr. Pickett is also a thought leader in discussions surrounding veterinary burnout, leadership in animal care, and the evolution of veterinary business models, having been featured on platforms such as Authority Magazine, Veterinary Business News, and The Washington Times.
Dr. Pickett’s influence is increasingly national. From strategic expansion to clinical consistency, her leadership aligns veterinary excellence with business sustainability. She believes the future of veterinary care lies in strong infrastructure, engaged talent, and data-informed decisions.
At a time when the veterinary industry is redefining itself post-pandemic, leaders like Dr. Pickett offer a path forward, where pets receive better care, professionals find better balance, and businesses achieve smarter growth.
To learn more about Dr. Pickett and her leadership journey, visit drjaimepickett.com or follow her on LinkedIn.
