American Animal Hospital Association Named New President
The organization appointed Dr. Bryan Clarke to lead its board of directors for the 2026-27 term.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Veterinary Medicine
The American Animal Hospital Association has announced its 2026-27 board of directors, naming Dr. Bryan Clarke as the new president. The leadership change comes as the organization continues to oversee the accreditation process for veterinary hospitals across North America.
Why it matters
The board selection aims to address the shifting requirements of the veterinary field while maintaining standards for accredited practices. New appointments represent a mix of clinical ownership and operational management experience within the industry.
All Creatures Animal Hospital, owned by Dr. Bryan Clarke, has scaled from 2 to 8 veterinarians since 2017. The new board includes Dr. Chelsea McGivney, who operates the first AAHA-accredited end-of-life care practice, and Dr. Jenifer Wieneke, owner of Cincinnati Family Vet.
The players
American Animal Hospital Association
This organization establishes standards and provides accreditation for veterinary practices across North America.
Dr. Bryan Clarke
He is an owner of All Creatures Animal Hospital and the newly appointed president of the association.
Dr. Chelsea McGivney
She serves as the executive director of operations at Caring Pathways, which provides end-of-life veterinary care.
Dr. Jenifer Wieneke
She is the owner of Cincinnati Family Vet and a 2006 graduate of veterinary school.
The details
The American Animal Hospital Association selects leadership to navigate the evolving needs of the veterinary profession. These members oversee the independent evaluation process required for hospitals to maintain their accreditation.
Timeline
The American Animal Hospital Association was founded in 1933.
Dr. Jenifer Wieneke earned a bachelor's degree in 1997.
Dr. Jenifer Wieneke earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2006.
All Creatures Animal Hospital began its period of growth in 2017.
Dr. Bryan Clarke serves as AAHA president for the 2026-27 term.
Culture Shift
The transition in leadership reflects the ongoing professionalization of veterinary medicine since the 1933 founding of the American Animal Hospital Association. Modern boards now prioritize diverse expertise ranging from end-of-life care to multi-hospital group management.
For pet owners, this leadership change reinforces the consistent standards maintained by AAHA-accredited clinics across the country. Patients can continue to rely on the association's evaluation process when choosing qualified veterinary facilities.
The takeaway
Veterinary practices are increasingly prioritizing specialized operational management to support clinical growth. Pet owners should check for AAHA accreditation to ensure their clinic meets standardized national care requirements.
Further reading
For more information on industry standards, visit the Veterinary Medicine section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Petage.
