Meet the Hospital Manager Behind Our Livewell Founding Lead DVM Opportunity in Chevy Chase, Maryland
When you’re opening an animal hospital, the people you build it with matter as much as the vision itself. That’s why, as we search for a Founding Lead DVM for the Livewell Animal Hospital in Chevy Chase, Maryland, we want you to meet the person you’d be building alongside—Sarah Mitchell, your Hospital Manager.
Sarah isn’t just managing operations. She’s laying the foundation for a hospital where great medicine happens consistently, where teams feel supported, and where a Founding Lead DVM can focus on what they do best: practicing excellent veterinary care.
If you’re a veterinarian considering what it means to build and lead a hospital, this conversation will give you insight into the kind of partnership and support waiting for you at the Livewell Animal Hospital in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Already interested? Start the conversation here.
Building Something New
Q: What excites you most about building a hospital from the ground up with a veterinarian?
A: What excites me most is the opportunity to build something intentionally, rather than trying to fix something already established. Starting fresh allows every decision to align with the kind of medicine and environment we want to create. Veterinary medicine has always been something I’ve cared deeply about, so being able to build something from the ground up feels especially meaningful.
Q: How do you collaborate with a Founding Lead DVM to turn their vision into a real, functioning hospital?
A: I translate our shared vision into structure. That means identifying priorities early, building clear systems and workflows, and maintaining consistent communication, so nothing gets lost between idea and execution. My focus is on removing operational barriers so the DVM can stay focused on medicine.
Culture & Team
Q: What kind of team culture are you committed to building, and how do you protect it?
A: I’m committed to a culture that is supportive, accountable, and team-oriented, where expectations are clear, and people feel respected. I protect that culture by hiring intentionally, addressing issues early, and reinforcing standards consistently. Culture is built through daily actions, not just intention.
Q: What would a Founding Lead DVM notice about how you hire, train, and support the team?
A: They would notice a structured, thoughtful approach. I hire both skill and fit, train with clear processes so people feel confident, and provide consistent support through feedback and presence. The goal is a reliable, capable team that can anticipate needs and support the doctor effectively.
Enabling Great Medicine
Q: How do you support a Founding Lead DVM who wants to grow specific services like surgery, dentistry, or urgent care?
A: I align operations to support growth; ensuring the right equipment, trained staff, and scheduling structure are in place. I also monitor performance and adjust as needed, so growth is sustainable and doesn’t disrupt overall workflow.
Q: What do you do to make sure the hospital runs in a way that allows for high-quality, low-stress medicine?
A: I focus on strong, predictable systems, efficient scheduling, clear roles, and well-trained staff. Minimizing bottlenecks and uncertainty allows the DVM to focus on patient care, which naturally leads to a calmer, more efficient environment.
Communication & Trust
Q: How do you and your Founding Lead DVM partner make decisions together—especially when things get busy or challenging?
A: We stay aligned through direct, consistent communication. We make decisions collaboratively based on what supports both medicine and operations. In busy moments, clarity and trust become even more important.
Q: What does a great working relationship between you and a DVM look like in practice?
A: It’s a true partnership built on trust and shared goals. The DVM can rely on me to manage operations without micromanagement, and I rely on them to lead medically. We communicate openly, stay aligned, and support each other through challenges.
What Makes You Different
Q: What do you think sets you apart from other hospital managers a DVM may have worked with before?
A: I combine a strong workflow structure with adaptability. I’m proactive and take ownership—if something isn’t working, I address it. I’m also willing to step in wherever needed, which helps maintain consistency and support across the team.
Q: Why should a veterinarian feel confident building a hospital with you specifically?
A: Because this is more than just a profession for me. I’ve had a lifelong connection to veterinary medicine, and I genuinely care about the people I work with. That connection is also personal. I have a daughter who plans to become a veterinarian, which has deepened how I think about the environments we create and the standards we set. It’s not just about running a hospital well. To me it’s about building something I would want her to walk into one day. I approach my role with that level of care and accountability, focused on creating a hospital that is supportive, well-run, and allows great medicine to happen consistently.
Q: What would you say to a Founding Lead DVM who’s excited about ownership/leadership but nervous about the unknowns?
A: I would emphasize that this isn’t something they’re stepping into alone…we’re building it together. The goal is to create a hospital where both the team and the business can grow and thrive, and that only happens with a strong, collaborative partnership. My role is to take on the operational challenges, problem-solve through the unknowns, and create structure so they can focus on practicing medicine at a high level. There will always be challenges when building something new, but they’ll have a partner who is fully invested in supporting them, the team, and the long-term success of the hospital.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re a veterinarian ready to build and lead your own hospital alongside Sarah in Chevy Chase, Maryland—with real support, real autonomy, and a real partner—we’d love to hear from you.
