Matt Salois, PhD, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about why not every shiny new idea in veterinary medicine is a good idea. From the surge in new veterinary schools to the debate on mid-level practitioners and telemedicine, Matt raises the question: are we solving problems or just creating new ones? With his trademark humor and economist’s lens, he makes the case for smarter, not faster, change in vet med. In this episode, you’ll hear a fresh take on why retention may matter more than recruitment, how productivity really impacts our profession, and why veterinary medicine doesn’t have to copy the mistakes of human healthcare. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance innovation with caution, this conversation will get you thinking.

Article Referenced: https://todaysveterinarybusiness.com/veterinary-lessons-viewpoint-0625/

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Matthew Salois, PhD is currently the President of the Veterinary Study Groups, Inc. (VSG), where he is responsible for enhancing the economic and cultural success of more than 1,800 veterinary member practices.

Most recently, Matt was the chief economist and head of the veterinary economics division at the AVMA between 2018 and 2022, where he applied his skills in economics, business, and communication to support the daily lives of veterinarians.

From 2014 to 2018, he served as director of global scientific affairs and policy at Elanco Animal Health, supervising a team of scientists in veterinary medicine, human medicine, animal welfare, economics and sustainability. His group devised and executed scientific engagement strategy, and built collaborative partnerships with universities, non-profit associations and scientific societies.

Matt is also an adjunct professor of applied economics at the University of Florida, where he previously taught and advised graduate and undergraduate students. He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Economics from the University of Florida and holds an M.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida.