National Veterinary Associates Names Dr. Jo Ann Morrison Vice President of Clinical Excellence & Patient Safety

Dr. Morrison will lead NVA's work to advance evidence-based medicine, translating research and lessons from everyday care across the health system into clinical guidance for local veterinary teams.

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- National Veterinary Associates (NVA), a leading North American pet healthcare company, today announced the appointment of Jo Ann Morrison, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), to the newly created role of Vice President of Clinical Excellence & Patient Safety.

Dr. Morrison brings extensive experience in clinical veterinary medicine, academic leadership and veterinary science. She will lead NVA's work to advance evidence-based medicine and strengthen patient safety, bringing together clinical research, expertise from across the health system and data on patient outcomes.

"Jo Ann brings a rare combination of clinical expertise, scientific leadership, and experience translating research into meaningful improvements in patient care," said Dr. Stacy Burdick, Chief Medical Officer at NVA. "As we continue to strengthen connections across our network, her leadership will help us turn what we learn from the care delivered every day into insights that support our veterinary teams and ultimately improve outcomes for pets."

"Some of the most important advances in veterinary medicine are gleaned from the real-world care delivered every day," said Dr. Morrison. "What excites me about joining NVA is the opportunity to learn from the collective expertise of all its veterinary teams and translate those data and insights into meaningful and measurable improvements in patient care. By strengthening the link between science and practice, we can continue to advance what is possible for pets and the people who love them."

Most recently, Dr. Morrison served as Global Director of Veterinary Science and Health Outcomes at Mars Veterinary Health, where she led initiatives to advance veterinary science, measure health outcomes and translate clinical research into practical applications. Her work included leading the organization's Science Impact Reports, which highlighted contributions from veterinary professionals and research initiatives across its global network.

Dr. Morrison previously served as director of veterinary science at Banfield Pet Hospital, focusing on clinical data, research and medical quality initiatives to advance veterinary medicine. Her earlier experience includes five years in primary care and mixed-animal practice in the Midwest, followed by specialty training and ultimately 11 years on the faculty of Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, where she educated and mentored future veterinary specialists. A board-certified veterinary internist, she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University and a master's degree in veterinary clinical sciences from Iowa State.

Dr. Morrison's appointment to this role reflects NVA's continued investment in advancing veterinary medicine through clinical learning, scientific collaboration and a deeper understanding of medical outcomes. By sharing expertise and insights across its health system, NVA aims to support local veterinary teams in making evidence-based decisions informed by their clinical judgment and each patient's needs.

About National Veterinary Associates
National Veterinary Associates is defining the future of pet and health care services. NVA is a pet healthcare system of over 1200 hospitals and pet resorts across North America, including general practice veterinary hospitals, specialty and emergency hospitals, pet resorts and equine veterinary services. NVA is committed to giving pets and the people who love them more quality years together. For more information, visit www.nva.com.

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Julia Healey
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SOURCE National Veterinary Associates