Excellence in veterinary education, leadership and patient care

Dr. Kelly Cairns is a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist who helps colleges of veterinary medicine, veterinary hospitals and industry partners build better education, stronger clinical quality and the leaders who deliver care.

Work with Dr. Cairns: Consulting → · Speaking →

At a glance

  • Board-certified in small animal internal medicine (DACVIM)
  • Built the Medical Excellence and Education function for a network of about 400 veterinary hospitals
  • 2025–2026 Non-Resident Teacher of the Year, Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine
  • President, Chicago Veterinary Medical Association
  • Speaker at ACVIM, AAVMC, FelineVMA, Fetch dvm360, VCA Canada and state veterinary associations
  • Featured by NBC Nightly News, Newsweek, HuffPost and Forbes

Consulting

Curriculum design, clinical quality systems and leadership development for veterinary organizations.
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Speaking

Keynotes and continuing education on veterinary education, leadership, professional wellbeing and clinical medicine.
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Experience & Credentials

Two decades across clinical practice, enterprise leadership and veterinary education.
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Watch: Rekindling the Spark

Keynote, Fetch dvm360 San Diego