A Surprising Introduction to Lakefield
When Lakefield acquired Emergency Veterinary Hospital (EVH) in Springfield, OR, in 2019, Dr. Max Rinaldi was on paternity leave. “I had no idea who Lakefield was,” he said. “I came back for a meeting and suddenly found myself in the middle of an acquisition.” Despite the whirlwind timing, he was impressed with how Lakefield handled the transition. “They made sure the doctors felt valued and supported. It was a little scary for all of us, but they were really good about it.”
Stepping Into Leadership
At the time of the acquisition, Dr. Rinaldi was already involved in team development. When the outgoing Medical Director stepped away sooner than expected, Lakefield asked him to step into the role. “I didn’t really know what it involved, but I knew I loved working in ER and wanted to grow within that space,” he said. That leap of faith laid the foundation for long-term growth within the Lakefield family.
Becoming a Partner
Not long after taking on leadership, Dr. Rinaldi began discussions with Lakefield about becoming a hospital partner, joining a select group of doctors with ownership stakes in their hospitals. “It was a two-way process,” he recalled. “They had to feel confident in me, and I wanted to feel confident in them.” After a couple years of trust-building, he officially became a partner. “It gave me a deeper sense of purpose. This is my hospital too. I care about the people and the future of the practice.”
Mentorship and the EVH Legacy
Dr. Rinaldi credits much of his early growth to strong mentorship at EVH. “Dr. Mark McConnell hired me out of my internship, and this is the only place I’ve worked as a full DVM,” he said. That foundation helped shape his values as a leader. “I’ve learned so much from the people around me, and I try to pass that forward.”
A Different Kind of Impact
While emergency medicine is often fast-paced and transient, Dr. Rinaldi says his proudest legacy isn’t a single case. It’s the growth of the people around him. “There’s a former veterinary assistant who joined just before graduating high school. She worked her way up, got married, had a family, and eventually left to manage her dad’s business. Watching people grow like that, that’s what I’m most proud of.”
Looking Ahead
Lakefield’s support, particularly the opportunity for partnership, has shaped Dr. Rinaldi’s long-term commitment to the hospital. “From day one, they’ve shown interest in me as a person and a professional,” he said. “I feel like I can build something meaningful here, not just for myself, but for our team.” He is also passionate about mentoring others and creating space for future leaders to thrive.
