DVM | DACVIM
Meet Dr. Sandy Willis
Dr. Sandy Willis is a board-certified small animal internist, experienced veterinary leader, and long-time advocate for the veterinary profession. With more than three decades of experience spanning clinical medicine, industry leadership, and organized veterinary governance, she has dedicated her career to advancing veterinary medicine and supporting the veterinarians who serve their communities.
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Currently serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for the American Veterinary Medical Association, Sandy brings extensive experience in strategic leadership, governance, and collaboration across the profession.
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Join Sandy in shaping the future of veterinary medicine.
Leadership Experience
Dr. Willis currently serves as Chair of the AVMA Board of Directors, providing strategic leadership and oversight for the association and its mission to advance veterinary medicine.
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Her extensive leadership experience includes:
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AVMA Board of Directors – District XI Director (2020–Present)
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Chair, AVMA Board of Directors (2025–Present)
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Vice Chair, AVMA Board of Directors (2024–2025)
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AVMA Strategic Management Committee Chair (2023–2024)
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AVMA Foundation Board of Directors (2019–2025)
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President, Washington State Veterinary Medical Association
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Her career reflects a deep commitment to service, collaboration, and advancing veterinary medicine at every level.
Dr. Willis earned her DVM from the University of California, Davis, followed by an internship at the University of Minnesota and a residency at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Her early career included leadership roles with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, where she focused on veterinary continuing education and later served as Director of Veterinary and Customer Affairs for Hill’s Canada.
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Dr. Willis has built a diverse career in clinical internal medicine and diagnostics, including roles with Phoenix Central Laboratory, Antech Diagnostics, and Zoetis Reference Laboratories. Throughout her career, she has remained closely connected to both clinical medicine and the evolving needs of the profession.
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Her commitment to veterinary medicine extends deeply into organized leadership at the local, state, and national levels. She has served in numerous leadership roles with the Seattle-King County Veterinary Medical Association and the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association, where she has served as President. She has also contributed to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and other national organizations focused on education, leadership, and professional wellbeing.
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At the national level, Dr. Willis has served as both Alternate Delegate and Delegate in the AVMA House of Delegates, on the House Advisory Committee, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Veterinary Medical Association representing District XI.
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Outside of her professional work, Sandy enjoys travel, the outdoors, gardening, reading, theatre, and time with her cats, Fiona and Micki.
Personal Biography
Experience Across the Veterinary Profession
Dr. Willis brings a unique perspective shaped by experience across multiple sectors of veterinary medicine. ​​
Clinical Medicine
Board-certified small animal internist with more than 30 years of experience in internal medicine and diagnostics.
Industry Leadership
Veterinary affairs and clinical consultation roles with leading organizations including Zoetis Reference Laboratories and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
Organized Medicine
Extensive leadership within the AVMA, national veterinary organizations, and state associations.