Breaking Barriers: How Three Women are Revolutionizing Emergency Vet Care and Inspiring the Next Generation
By 2024, the veterinary landscape in New Mexico had reached a crisis point. The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with corporate consolidation, left the entire state with just one 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic. The strain on pet owners and veterinary professionals alike was palpable. But from this challenge arose an extraordinary example of women supporting women—three trailblazing veterinarians who refused to accept the status quo.
Dr. Julia Donnelly, DVM, cVMA, Dr. Nicole Chamney, DOM, DVM, MBA, and Dr. Sonja Sims, DVM, cVMA, each seasoned in emergency and specialty medicine, saw not just a need, but an opportunity. An opportunity to redefine veterinary emergency care in New Mexico, to reclaim ownership in a field where women are the majority yet often absent from leadership, and to inspire future generations of female veterinarians to step into positions of power.
The veterinary profession has experienced a significant demographic shift over the past few decades. As of December 31, 2023, women represented approximately 67% of veterinarians in the United States, with 85,337 female veterinarians compared to 41,253 male veterinarians. This trend is even more pronounced among veterinary students. Recent data indicates that 87.3% of current veterinary school applicants identify as female, suggesting that the proportion of women in the profession will continue to rise. Despite women's growing presence in veterinary medicine, leadership roles, including ownership, remain disproportionately occupied by men.
Pooling their expertise, resources, and an unshakable commitment to their profession, these women came together to establish the Mosaic Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital in Santa Fe. More than just a hospital, Mosaic became a testament to what is possible when women unite to uplift one another and their community.
Acquiring a 16,000-square-foot space at 2001 Vivigen Way, they meticulously transformed it into a cutting-edge facility designed to serve pets in crisis. Every detail—from the intensive care unit and isolation wards to advanced diagnostic imaging and an in-house lab—was carefully chosen to provide top-tier emergency and specialty care. But beyond the medical technology, they infused the space with compassion. A patient kitchen caters to pets with specialized dietary needs, and innovative pet enclosures offered a calming alternative to the traditional sterile kennels, reflecting their commitment to treating patients with dignity and comfort.
Emergency care at Mosaic is available 24/7, with a team of highly trained emergency veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and client experience representatives standing by to provide immediate, compassionate care. But more than just offering a medical lifeline for pets, the hospital is a beacon of change in an industry still navigating gender disparities at the highest levels.
Dr. Donnelly, Dr. Chamney, and Dr. Sims are not just business partners; they are mentors, role models, and advocates for the next generation of veterinary professionals. They know that their journey—marked by perseverance, collaboration, and an unwavering belief in their mission—will serve as inspiration for young women entering the workforce.
In a field where women often work tirelessly behind the scenes but rarely hold the reins, these three women have not only built a hospital—they've ignited a movement. And as Mosaic Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital continues to serve its community, it will also stand as a powerful symbol of what happens when women take charge, lift each other up, and redefine the future of veterinary medicine.
