Description
Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist – Small Animal
The Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch is seeking a board-certified or residency-trained Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist to lead and grow our Internal Medicine service in a thriving, privately owned multidisciplinary specialty and emergency hospital on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Residents completing an Internal Medicine residency are encouraged to apply, and we welcome the opportunity to support the transition from residency to specialty practice. This is a rare opportunity to develop a high-impact specialty service with clinical autonomy, strong referral demand, and future ownership potential.
About Our Hospital
The Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch is a privately owned, 18,500-square-foot specialty and emergency hospital located one hour south of Tampa and
minutes from Sarasota and Bradenton. Due to limited Internal Medicine availability in the region, the incoming specialist can expect to quickly establish a strong caseload, supported by an established referral network spanning more than six counties.
Our hospital is fully equipped for advanced Internal Medicine practice, including:
* CT, endoscopy, fluoroscopy, and ultrasound
* Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
* Mechanical ventilation and high-flow nasal oxygen therapy
* In-house animal blood bank
Our multidisciplinary team currently includes specialists in:
* Critical Care
* Radiology
* Surgery
* Ophthalmology
You will play a central role in advancing specialty care in the region while working alongside a highly skilled and supportive team of specialists.
Schedule
Flexible scheduling designed to support work-life balance:
* Part-time or full-time
* 3–5 days per week
Compensation and Benefits
Competitive base salary plus production
* No negative accrual
* Signing bonus and relocation assistance
* 100% employer-covered health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
* Simple IRA with employer matching
* Paid vacation and holidays
* Continuing education allowance and paid CE days
* Professional dues and licensure covered
* AVMA malpractice insurance
* Uniform allowance
* Access to advanced equipment and collaborative specialty support
Private Practice Advantage
Unlike corporate hospitals, we offer:
* Clinical autonomy
* Direct access to hospital leadership
* Flexibility to shape and grow your service
* Potential future ownership opportunities
Why Join Us?
We are a privately owned, veterinarian-led hospital committed to supporting our doctors and staff while providing exceptional patient care. You will have the resources, experienced support staff, and autonomy needed to practice high-quality medicine. Hospital owner Dr. Wendy Ellis has served the Bradenton–Sarasota community for over 20 years and remains deeply committed to maintaining a positive, collaborative workplace culture. We understand that compensation, schedule, and professional goals are key considerations when exploring a new opportunity and welcome confidential conversations prior to a formal interview.
If you have any questions at all about this position, please feel free to call/text Dr. Wendy Ellis at 941-266-0335 (cell) or email at ellis.vmc@gmail.com or Devon Diaz
DVM, MS, DACVECC (Director of Specialty Growth and Development) 813-601-9697 (cell) or drdiaz.vmc@gmail.com.
Requirements
DVM
DACVIM (Internal Medicine) or residency trained
