2025 Board of Directors Election

Hello!

I am Dr. Miguel Ortiz, a small animal veterinarian from Pittsburgh, and am running for Vice President of the Viticus Group's Board of Directors. I have a solid academic foundation and diverse real-world experiences and am an excellent choice for this leadership role.

I graduated from the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, hold a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Pittsburgh, and am board certified by the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. I have practiced in small animal clinics, non-profit shelters, and mobile and telehealth practices in Washington and Pennsylvania.

I am deeply moved by the transformative power of the human-animal bond. I am a committed volunteer for the Street Dog Coalition of Pittsburgh, an active member of the Pawsibilities Vet Med network, and I portray “Morph Mouse” for the League of VetaHumanz at Purdue. 

As veterinary professionals, we celebrate a child's first kitten one day and respond to a food security crisis or a global pandemic the next. We are vital to the wellbeing of all communities and rise to this challenge through tenacity, innovation, and unending curiosity. The vibrant learning community nurtured by the Wester Veterinary Conference is invaluable in this work. I am grateful for all that I have learned at WVC over the years and the lifelong friendships that I have found here. Your support in my campaign for the Vice Presidency would be an honor.

Dr. Megan Skeffington is a seasoned veterinary professional with a rich career dedicated to advancing veterinary medicine through education, mentorship, and professional development. With over 18 years of experience, she combines clinical expertise with a passion for supporting the veterinary team’s wellbeing and fostering meaningful connections within the industry.

Dr. Skeffington has served on the Board of Directors for Viticus Group since 2020, contributing as Audit Committee Chair, Governance Committee member, and now as a candidate for Vice President in 2025. Through her leadership, she has helped shape vital initiatives aimed at enhancing veterinary education and addressing challenges faced by veterinary professionals. Her role as a speaker and moderator at events such as the WVC Annual Conference and the Recent Graduate Symposium along with other veterinary conferences such as AABP and VMX, underscores her commitment to advancing communication and professional development across the industry.

Currently a senior Professional Services Veterinarian manager, Dr. Skeffington supports eight Professional Services Veterinarians, educating veterinary professionals in the East and South Central US, providing diagnostic education and mentoring veterinary teams. Her involvement in product innovation and communication strategy, particularly with initiatives like DecisionIQ and canine SNAP diagnostics, highlights her forward-thinking approach to veterinary care.

Her clinical background includes extensive experience in small animal medicine, advanced soft tissue surgery, and leadership roles at hospitals, where she improved operational performance, developed training programs, and fostered team growth. She is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional, emphasizing her dedication to mental health and wellness in the veterinary field.

Dr. Skeffington’s deep-rooted passion lies in empowering veterinary professionals through knowledge, connection, and innovative solutions to ensure a thriving, resilient profession. As a Vice Presidential candidate for Viticus Group, she seeks to continue driving impactful change for the veterinary community.

Dr. Lori Teller is a graduate of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine (TAMU CVM) and a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in Canine and Feline Practice. She worked at Meyerland Animal Clinic for many years and then joined the faculty at TAMU CVMBS where she is a Clinical Professor. Her major responsibilities are overseeing the College’s telemedicine program and teaching in Primary Care, where she serves as chief of the service.  

Dr. Teller has been very involved in the veterinary profession and is a Past-President of the Harris County and Texas Veterinary Medical Associations and was a recipient of the TVMA's Recent Graduate of the Year Award, as well as several President’s Awards. In September 2019, she was honored with the Visionary Award by the Southwest Veterinary Symposium. Dr. Teller recently finished her service on the AVMA Board of Directors, culminating in her role as President. She also serves as an AVMA Ambassador, meeting with Congressional Representatives, and she has testified before the Presidential Advisory Council to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health. Currently, Dr. Teller is a Canine/Feline Regent for the ABVP and serves on ABVP’s Board of Directors.  

Dr. Teller has a monthly radio spot on Houston’s NPR radio station where she highlights the importance of veterinary care and answers callers’ question. She serves as an educator and mentor to many veterinary students, recent graduates, and young leaders, helping them navigate the complicated world of veterinary medicine and life beyond the boundaries of work. She is excited to have this opportunity to serve on the WVC Board of Directors.

Dr. Peter Weinstein is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian and leader.

He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15-year-old kennel kid to a hospital owner.

Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners.

He is a published author, most notably of the E-Myth Veterinarian-Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It.

Currently, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University of Health Sciences.

He likes to think of himself as a free-thinking change agent and disruptor who, because he has a daughter who is a recent graduate from veterinary school, is working for an even better veterinary profession in the future.