Since writing the first pet insurance policy in the United States 40 years ago, Nationwide has remained an innovator and trailblazer in the pet health industry. Now, Nationwide is continuing its commitment to pioneering positive change for pets, pet parents, and veterinary healthcare teams with a new website and initiatives designed to empower the veterinary industry to embrace a spectrum of care approach. 

“A spectrum of care approach combines evidence-based medicine with pet family emotional, physical, and financial resources, then communicates a range of options to pet families without judgment,” says Dr. Emily M. Tincher, Nationwide Senior Director of Veterinary Relations. “As a practicing veterinarian, I have seen the positive effect that a spectrum of care approach can have. The pet parent feels supported and understood, the veterinary healthcare team feels confident in providing evidence-based solutions, and the pet gets beneficial treatment. It’s a win for everyone involved.” 

Nationwide’s spectrum of care programs now include:  

• A New Website: Spectrum-of-care.com defines and illustrates the spectrum of care approach to veterinary medicine. Throughout the year, the site will expand to include communication tools and resources for veterinary healthcare teams to encourage dialogue internally and with pet families.   
• A New Scholarship: In 2022, the first $25,000 Nationwide Spectrum of Care Scholarship was awarded to Keith Gilchrist, a fourth-year student at Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The annual transformational scholarship is open to OSU students who are enrolled in the college’s Spectrum of Care career area of emphasis and demonstrate an interest in the spectrum of care through personal experiences.  
• Veterinary Student Education: In spring 2023, Nationwide will continue for the third semester as the only organization providing spectrum of care education in every U.S. veterinary school. In 2022, the curriculum for Nationwide’s veterinary student education program, delivered in partnership with the Veterinary Business Management Association (VMBA), focused on communication skills that help students meet pet families where they are regarding goals and resources.  
• Thought Leadership at Veterinary Conferences: Dr. Tincher and Dr. Jules Benson, Nationwide’s Chief Veterinary Officer, will continue presenting sessions on spectrum of care topics – including novel communications research completed in partnership with Mind Genomics Advisors – at major industry conferences throughout the year, including at Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX) in Orlando and the Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) Annual Conference in Las Vegas. They will be building on the spectrum of care foundational presentations they gave at national conferences throughout 2022.  

“So many pets don’t get the care they need, most often because veterinary care isn’t attainable to their families. A spectrum of care approach gives pet parents options and ways to say ‘yes’ to treatment for the comfort and wellbeing of their beloved companions,” said Heidi Sirota, President and Chief Pet Officer. “Nationwide is committed – through these resources for care providers created from millions of pet medical claims, partnerships across the pet industry, and innovative protection solutions – to removing barriers to care so every family can bring a pet into their homes for its full life.”

Nationwide’s efforts to elevate spectrum of care conversations go hand-in-hand with its history of offering a spectrum of pet protection solutions. Nationwide pet health insurance allows pet owners to select the level of coverage that meets their needs and their resources, enabling more care for more pets. To learn more, visit spectrum-of-care.com.