K.C. Van Fleet (DVM ’17) has built his career at the intersection of emergency medicine, systems-based thinking, and a deep commitment to how veterinary care is delivered. After initially planning to pursue specialty training, he transitioned directly into private practice following graduation and began his career at Oakwood Veterinary Hospital in Traverse City, Michigan, where he spent seven years practicing and supporting the hospital through major growth. Over time, Van Fleet’s interests expanded beyond clinical medicine to the broader structures that shape patient care, including communication, workflow, and team culture.
That perspective ultimately led him to found Omnivet in June 2024, a growing urgent and specialty care practice in Northern Michigan. While building Omnivet, Van Fleet paid careful attention to creating a culture of transparency, spectrum of care decision-making, and sustainable support for veterinary teams.
Van Fleet served as the 2026 Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine commencement speaker, where he shared reflections from his career and offered advice to the next generation of veterinarians. In the Q&A below, he reflects on his time at MSU, the challenges of rethinking traditional veterinary care, and what he hopes the College’s graduates will carry forward from his commencement address.
