Putting Medicine, People, and Possibility First: Dr. Stacy Burdick’s Vision for Ethos
June 16, 2025
This month, we spoke with Stacy Burdick, DVM, MBA, DACVIM (SAIM), Ethos’s Chief Medical Officer, about her vision for the future of veterinary medicine. From her early days as a shelter volunteer to her current leadership role, Dr. Burdick’s journey reflects a deep commitment to people and patients.
She shares how collaboration, continuous learning, and a focus on clinical excellence are driving change across Ethos and how investing in veterinary professionals is key to delivering better care and building a stronger future for the industry.
Q&A
Q: What innovations in clinical care or medical operations are you most excited about at Ethos?
A: Two stand out. First is ASCEND, our veterinary nursing competency framework developed by our Clinical Learning & Development team, led by Dr. Pat Welch. While CL&D and Medicine are distinct functions at Ethos, we work in close partnership, and ASCEND is an excellent example of what that collaboration can accomplish. It brings much-needed clarity to skill-building, role expectations, and career growth for veterinary nurses. We’re also working to build a broader ecosystem around ASCEND that supports recognition, mobility, and compensation for nursing teams across the profession. That kind of impact ultimately strengthens clinical care at every level.
Second is the exciting work coming out of Ethos Science, led by Dr. Tracy Hill. As part of the Medicine function, our research efforts are helping move the field forward and, in some cases, making a real impact beyond veterinary medicine, into human healthcare. That kind of contribution speaks to the depth and vision of our team and has lasting significance.
Q: What does the future of specialty and emergency medicine look like — and what role will Ethos play in shaping it?
A: We’ll keep pushing clinical boundaries, but success will also depend on how we meet pet families where they are — emotionally, financially, and practically. That means offering a range of treatment options and delivering them with empathy and respect. And as AI evolves, we’ll need to harness it thoughtfully to enhance accuracy, reduce burnout, and improve work-life integration. Ethos is in a strong position to lead on all fronts — medicine, experience, and innovation.
Q: How do collaboration and knowledge-sharing across Ethos improve patient care?
A: Collaboration between Medicine and Clinical Learning & Innovation is one of Ethos’s greatest strengths. You see it every day, whether it’s specialists consulting on challenging cases, medical directors connecting weekly, or using insights from our Patient Safety Event Reporting Program to drive improvements. It’s also seen in the programs we’ve built together — like our Veterinary Assistant and CSR development tracks, ER Immerse, and the ERI Nursing initiative — that sharpen frontline skills and build more confident, capable teams. When learning and medicine move in lockstep, care becomes safer, more consistent, and more effective.
Q: What advice would you give young veterinarians or specialists entering the field today?
A: Be curious. Be humble. And don’t shy away from the business side. Medicine and business must be equal partners — you can’t have great medicine without a healthy business behind it. Understanding the financials helps you advocate for your team and patients’ needs. It’s empowering. The more ownership you have, the more impactful your care becomes.
Q: What’s a story from your career that reminds you why you do this work
A: I built our Interventional Radiology service from scratch when I was at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital. That meant working with every part of the hospital — Facilities, Procurement, Marketing, the Nursing team, Referrals, you name it. It was eye-opening. I saw how much better I could be as a clinician when I understood the “why” behind business decisions. It gave me ownership over the care I delivered. That experience still drives me today: empowering veterinarians to be excellent caregivers and engaged partners in the business.
What Does it Mean to Revolutionize Veterinary Medicine?
Hear from Dr. Burdick as she shares how Ethos is transforming patient care, education, and the future of our profession.
Dr. Burdick: At a Glance
Q: Tell us a bit about your background.
A: I’ve been part of the Ethos community (in one form or another) for more than 11 years — from practicing DVM to local leadership, and now Chief Medical Officer. I helped launch Compassion-First as a medical partner to John Payne and later formed the Medical Directors Advancement Council. After completing my MBA at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2022, I stepped into the CMO role for the new Ethos in 2023.
Q: What do you love to do outside of work?
A: I’m a mom, wife, daughter, friend, and a lover of the outdoors. I enjoy gardening, horseback riding, yoga, snowboarding, and scuba diving (I’m a certified master diver!). I also love to cook and host dinners with family and friends. This year, I started skiing and playing golf. My 6-year-old is already better than I am at both.
Q: Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
A: I was once attacked by a sand tiger shark while cleaning a tank at an aquarium. Everyone was okay — no injuries! Also, my husband and I have been renovating a 1917 house for the last three years. At one point, I was making fires in the kitchen to stay warm. It’s been… humbling. Oh — and I’m a sucker for needy Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.
Q: What’s your personal ‘why’?
A: To create possibility through curiosity and connection.