Bella Raux is a second year at Cornell CVM, class of 2027. Bella grew up around animals, an equestrian for over a decade, always having a special interest in medicine. She didn’t decide to pursue veterinary medicine until her sophomore year of college at Utica University (a very small, sad school), but was luckily already a biology major. She began getting involved in research and discovered a passion for coding (R gang).

Once at Cornell, Bella joined several clubs and organizations, with a special interest in business which naturally gravitated toward the VBMA. She became the Cornell VBMA Chapter Director of Fundraising for the 2024 year, and after attending National Meeting knew she wanted to apply to the National Board (you should too)! Bella is aiming for a Surgery Specialty after completing her DVM.

When not in school (which rarely happens), Bella can be found at home with the loves of her life, Trooper (Black Lab – loves ducks) and Gator (Tuxedo – full name is Ruth Gator Binsberg), or at the gym. During COVID Bella found a love for weight lifting, which has expanded to pilates and running. You can also look for Bella at a local coffee shop reading a book from one of the Lost Generation writers, probably Fitzgerald.

Sports are a big part of Bella’s life – but only if it pertains to the following teams:
Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Yankees

If you have any questions about joining the National Board, want to talk about the Bills season, Tyrese Maxey, or why she thinks not signing Juan Soto is a good thing, contact her at president@vbma.biz!

Morgan Simon is a DVM candidate in the class of 2026 at University of Minnesota’s college of veterinary medicine. She is in the second class of the 2+2 program there with South Dakota State University. She is originally from Chaska, Minnesota but left to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Liberty University in Virginia where she was a part of both the synchronized figure skating team and the individual figure skating team. She graduated in 2019 and moved back home where she worked as a server and as a veterinary assistant/technician for 3 years. During this time she found a passion for small animal surgery with an interest in primarily ortho.

Morgan was drawn to joining VBMA with the interest of learning more about business, even though she originally had no plans to own her own practice. The enticement of free food at lunch/dinner meetings also did not hurt. She got involved in leadership because she saw how important business education is for veterinarians and wanted to grow and strengthen her chapter at SDSU. She was interested in joining the national team to help support chapters, especially new chapters and those that are struggling because she has had similar experiences in chapter leadership at a small new school. She believes that one of the most beneficial parts of VBMA is the connections we can make with our colleagues, future employers, and other mentors. She encourages everyone to get involved this weekend and spend some time getting to know people you have not met. The connections you make might just surprise you and lead to great opportunities for you in the present and future!

If she isn’t attending VBMA related events or class, she can be found in a few different places: studying or just feeding her caffeine addiction at a local small town coffee shop where she typically orders a lavender latte, at home reading a good book (often also with a coffee), baking cookies, hiking in a national park, or cuddling with her needy yet adorable cat named Pipette.If you have any suggestions on science themed names for her animals she’d love to hear them!

She is looking forward to serving VBMA chapters and Regional Leaders in the year ahead! If you want to discuss anything related to small animal surgery, VBMA, science related animal names, musical theater, or national parks–please reach out to Morgan at vicepresident@vbma.biz

Tony Rago is a DVM candidate in the Class of 2027 at the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Lititz, Pennsylvania, Tony developed a passion for leadership and service early on, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Small Animal Science at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. While at DelVal, Tony was an active leader on campus, serving as Student Government Board Treasurer, Class President, and Resident Assistant.
During his undergraduate years, Tony worked four years at PETS, an emergency veterinary clinic in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This experience exposed him to the fast-paced nature of emergency medicine and deepened his commitment to the field.
Tony’s involvement with the Veterinary Business and Management Association (VBMA) began at the University of Tennessee, where he served as Secretary for the local chapter. He was drawn to VBMA because of its focus on building skills often overlooked in the traditional veterinary curriculum, such as communication, leadership, and networking. Tony credits VBMA with helping him enrich these skills in his daily life, which he believes are essential for navigating the complexities of veterinary practice and fostering meaningful professional relationships.
Now serving as National Treasurer, Tony is dedicated to supporting VBMA chapters across the country. He is passionate about helping students embrace business education and encouraging them to explore the wide range of career-enhancing opportunities that VBMA provides.
Outside of his academic and leadership roles, Tony enjoys an active and adventurous lifestyle. A former gymnast and collegiate cheerleader, he stays active by working out, golfing, and hiking in the Smoky Mountains. When he’s not outdoors, Tony can often be found experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen or spending time with friends.
Tony plans to pursue a career in emergency medicine, with additional interests in small animal and exotic care. After earning his DVM, he hopes to return to the Northeast to combine his clinical interests with his passion for leadership and business management.
If you’d like to discuss emergency medicine, hiking, cooking, or the value of business education in veterinary medicine, feel free to reach out to Tony at treasurer@vbma.biz.

Anjali Patel is a DVM Candidate in the Class of 2026 at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Texas, Anjali has always been driven by her passion for veterinary medicine and her entrepreneurial spirit. Her next steps include working in a hybrid emergency and general practice to gain hands-on experience while sharpening her clinical and business skills. She plans to channel her knowledge and leadership into owning a veterinary hospital someday. Her biggest dream? To settle down someday in a beautiful lake house in North Carolina, where she can unwind by the water after a long ER shift and enjoy the peace and quiet of lakefront life.

Anjali’s passion for veterinary business grew as she recognized the need for strong leadership and effective practice management to support high-quality medicine. She joined the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) to develop these skills further and connect with like-minded peers. Now serving as the 2025 National Marketing Director, Anjali is passionate about showing others how business skills can elevate veterinary careers. Whether it’s supporting a thriving practice team, improving client experiences, or ensuring financial stability, she believes that great business practices lead to better medicine.

Throughout her time in vet school, Anjali has explored various aspects of the veterinary profession through externships and leadership roles. These experiences have taught her a lot about balancing medical excellence with business savvy. One of her favorite projects was creating a social media strategy for a veterinary hospital—combining creativity and strategy to help connect with clients more effectively. She’s also excited about how technology, like artificial intelligence, can shape the future of veterinary medicine.

Outside of vet school, Anjali is always on the go. You’ll often find her experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, tackling DIY home projects, or traveling to explore new places and cultures. She’s a big fan of Pilates and interior design. Anjali enjoys running with her dog, Walter, and listening to live music with friends. Oh, and she’s a proud Maxxinista!

Anjali is looking forward to helping VBMA chapters across the country and inspiring others to explore how business skills can enhance their veterinary careers. If you want to connect about VBMA, emergency medicine, or even the best places to hike in North Carolina, feel free to reach out to her at marketing@vbma.biz