Career Moves

Dr. Randy Wheeler
William P. Switzer Award
DVM ’77

Never in Dr. Randy Wheeler’s wildest dreams did he image he would leave his Madison County Veterinary Clinic.

That clinic, after all, was in his hometown of Winterset, Iowa. He had become a partner, and he loved providing veterinary care for the animals of so many relatives and people he grew up with.

Then a phone call changed everything.

“I truly enjoyed being a mixed animal practitioner and never intended to do anything else. But then I got a call from the state veterinarian,” Wheeler recalled.

That call asked Wheeler to consider applying for an opening in the Iowa Department of Agriculture’s Animal Industry Bureau. At first, Wheeler resisted the urge to switch career paths, but the state veterinarian eventually wore him down.

“He was persistent enough to get me to interview, and I became the assistant state veterinarian in 2006,” Wheeler said.

That scenario repeated itself seven years later when Dr. Tom Johnson, then the executive director of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) told Wheeler he was planning on retiring.

“He asked me to consider taking over for him and at our monthly meetings (Wheeler was serving on the IVMA Executive Board at the time), he kept at me about the job,” he said.

Evidentially Wheeler decided to switch careers again and has served as the IVMA executive ever since. It was a “great decision.”

“I really enjoy the interaction I have with the members, especially the officers and committee members,” Wheeler said. “I find it always rewarding getting to work with so many great colleagues and friends in our industry.”

In his IVMA role, Wheeler serves as an advocate for veterinary medicine. It’s a role he excels in.

“I believe veterinary medicine touches the lives of almost everyone in one way or another,” Wheeler said. “It’s not just animal medicine and care, or ‘all creatures great and small,’ it’s food safety. It’s public health, the human animal bond, the livestock industry and One Health just to name a few.”

Wheeler’s background has involved many different sectors of veterinary medicine. These experiences have allowed him to be an outstanding advocate for the profession.

His relationships and connections with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship as well as the College of Veterinary Medicine has allowed him to be an even greater advocate for veterinary medicine.

“I live and breathe veterinary medicine,” Wheeler said. “Paraphernalia, pictures, patches, stickers, you name it, I have placed on almost everything I own – even my saddle.”

Wheeler’s dedication to the profession is evident in countless accomplishments since he became IVMA executive director. Some of his professional highlights include:

• Initiating the Member Assistance Program, which provides members and their immediate families with a wide array of confidential counseling and consultation services to help support both personal and professional well-being.
• The Iowa Power of Ten Leadership Program for recent graduate veterinarians has been extremely successful in preparing and promoting young veterinarians for various leadership roles in their community and in organized veterinary medicine. Many recent grads have become IVMA officers and served in AVMA positions.
• One such position is the Emerging Leader Liaison, created under Wheeler’s guidance. The position serves as a conduit between the IVMA and College of Veterinary Medicine students and recent graduates, promoting why organized veterinary medicine is a benefit to be part of.
• IVMA’s advocacy efforts helped get the Rural Iowa Veterinary Loan Repayment Program passed into law in 2020 to help provide veterinary services in rural veterinary shortage areas.
• The IVMA was instrumental in updating the rules and title protection for Iowa’s Registered Veterinary Technicians which are an integral part of the veterinary healthcare team.

“Over the years, I have never lost that sense of awe and purpose that comes from helping animals and the people who own them,” Wheeler said, “and it continues to inspire my commitment to the profession each and every day.”

September 2026