Get to Know Dr. Patrick Welch: Thought Leader and Innovator
July 23, 2025Patrick Welch, DVM, DACVO, MBA, leads innovation and clinical learning and development at Ethos. A veterinary ophthalmologist, educator, and entrepreneur, he is reshaping how the veterinary field learns, grows, and adapts to the future.
From Ophthalmologist to Innovator
Dr. Welch’s journey to leadership wasn’t a straight line. After earning his veterinary degree from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine and completing his residency, he became a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist. While practicing at a large hospital near Boston, he began to feel something was missing.
Advice from a mentor led him to reflect on whether he was on the right career path. He made some changes, including joining an ophthalmology-only practice, before realizing what was missing: a chance to create, teach, and push boundaries in veterinary medicine.
That realization led him back to school for an MBA and a move into medical leadership. Eventually, he stepped away from clinical practice entirely. Today, as part of the Ethos leadership team, he shares this advice with students: “If you’re expecting a straight line, you’re probably in for a surprise. But if you stay open and curious, and trust the process, you might end up exactly where you’re supposed to be—even if it’s somewhere you never expected.”
Driving Innovation Through Technology
As a leader in veterinary innovation, Dr. Welch is passionate about harnessing technology to transform the profession. He sees artificial intelligence (AI) as a pivotal force in reshaping how veterinary teams learn and work.
“It’s not just transforming how we learn,” he said. “It’s reshaping the profession itself.”
He believes learning will become more personal, timely, and integrated into daily work, helping to break down silos between academia, associations, and private practice.
“The future is collaborative,” he said. “Public-private partnership will drive a more cohesive learning ecosystem, and Ethos will be at the center of it.”
Championing Competency-Based Learning
A key part of that transformation is shifting from time-based education models to competency-based learning. This approach focuses on what individuals can do, rather than how long they’ve studied. It allows for more targeted, structured learning and helps clinicians at all levels identify and close knowledge gaps.
Within a network like Ethos, this creates opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and shared growth.
“Learning isn’t just about building skills — it’s tapping into that shared strength, learning from each other, and growing together,” he said.
The result? More capable, confident teams — and better care for patients.
Finding Confidence and Paying It Forward
Despite his success, Dr. Welch is open about the challenges he has faced along the way. Early in his career, he often questioned where he fit.
“I spent a big part of my career trying to fit into roles, instead of figuring out where I actually fit,” he said.
That changed when he joined Ethos.
“I was energized. I felt like I was in the right place, doing the right kind of work, with the right kind of people. That gave me a level of confidence I hadn’t had before.”
Now, he’s committed to helping others find that same sense of purpose.
“I’ve always tried to pay that forward by helping others find their ‘right fit,’ too.”
A Life Well Balanced
Outside of work, Dr. Welch lives in a coastal community outside Boston with his wife, Kris, their daughter, Darcy, and their two Golden Retrievers, Sirius and Paczki. He enjoys cooking, traveling, and brewing his own beer.
His career may have taken a winding path, but it’s led him exactly where he belongs — at the forefront of veterinary education, driven by curiosity, compassion, and a bold vision for the future.
Whether he’s pioneering new technologies, discussing AI, or guiding others in their growth, Dr. Welch remains focused on one goal: helping people thrive.