2022 Men of the Year: Dr. Ryan Bader

In the near decade since Dr. Ryan Bader started Seven Hills Veterinary Clinic LLC, he’s grown the Nixa practice’s client list to over 10,400 and serves nearly 31,000 animal patients. 

Within its first two years in operation, the clinic had grown enough that a new location was necessary. That led to a move in 2018 to its current home in a renovated former restaurant building that now is a farmhouse-themed clinic with six exam rooms, a dedicated surgery area and office space.

“I am most proud of the fact that I had the courage to start a new business from the ground up and seeing it through an unprecedented pandemic as an essential business,” Bader says. “My business survived the startup years and has been growing every year with a positive reputation in the community since we opened.”

The clinic was given the 2021 Small Business of the Year award by the Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce.

Aside from helping tens of thousands of patients every year, Bader says he’s provided countless hours of veterinary medicine to local pet rescue nonprofits. He estimates providing medical assistance to over 4,000 animals and nearly $250,000 in discounts for the organizations.

“This time also included after-hours emergency assistance for four years,” he says. “Current efforts continue to include discounted rates as well as ongoing phone triage in addition to my daily responsibilities.”

Starting in 2013 with just three other employees, Seven Hills has expanded to a three-doctor practice and 20 employees. 

“Through this evolution, I have taken on additional leadership with staff and offer in-house training as well as leading the management team in these efforts,” he says, noting most of the staff hired start with little or no veterinary medicine experience. “I have also allowed college students to work or intern at the clinic and learn various skills to reach their career goals. I enjoy teaching and provide structure to teach in a way that makes them think on their own.”

Away from the clinic, Bader says his community service is mostly invested locally in Scouts BSA, the flagship program of Boy Scouts of America. He is a founding member of Troop 205 and serves as its committee chair. He also completed the Nixa Citizens’ Police Academy in 2018 and stays involved with the department by assisting with Christmas dinners for the city’s officers and families. 

Nixa Police Officer Brent Forgey says Bader is “very community minded” in his volunteer work beyond Seven Hills. However, he says Bader’s commitment as a veterinarian also is invested outside of his office. 

“Not only does he help animal owners with veterinary medicine care; he also works with local farmers to maintain the health of their livestock,” Forgey says. 

As a local business owner, Bader says he recognizes the importance of playing an active role in the community. That’s led to Seven Hills sponsoring numerous events and organizations in and around Nixa, such as the annual Doggie Dive In, Hero Run 5K, Christian County Ducks Unlimited and Care to Learn.