Published on
Updated on
Published 6/4/25
Story contact: Nicholas Childress, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photos by Karen Clifford
Before the first appointment of the day, and before clinicians make their rounds and pets arrive for surgery, Joni Bohn is already at work, quietly powering the engine that keeps the University of Missouri’s Veterinary Health Center (VHC) moving.
As supervisor of Central Services and Sterile Processing, Bohn leads a behind-the-scenes team that ensures the hospital is stocked and ready. From disinfectants and IV lines to surgical tools and specialty items that can mean the difference between life and death, her team manages it all.
Bohn said their work isn’t meant to draw attention. It’s meant to make sure everything else can function exactly as it should.
From sterile supply to hospital backbone
Bohn’s journey to Mizzou began in human health care. She joined Columbia Regional Hospital in 1989, and, when the university purchased the facility in 1999, she continued to grow her career. Over time, she moved through several departments and eventually landed in sterile processing, where she started handling departmental purchasing — a role that gave her a clear view of how critical supplies keep a hospital running.
In 2017, a casual visit to the College of Veterinary Medicine turned into a job interview — and an unexpected opportunity to lead teams whose work supports nearly every corner of the hospital. Since then, Bohn has overseen the VHC’s Central Services and Sterile Processing teams with a focus on efficiency, adaptability and trust.
“Joni and her teams are the backbone of our hospital, performing countless vital tasks without direct client interaction,” said John Dodam, DVM, MS, PhD, a professor and Chair of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. “While you might only know that your animal had multiple procedures during their visit, much of that seamless care is only possible because of these incredible individuals.”
Quiet precision, critical work
At a glance, Bohn likens her area to a grocery store — responsible for ordering, stocking and distributing supplies to every corner of the hospital. But the comparison only scratches the surface.
“Sure, we stock shelves,” she said. “But we also manage everything from cardiac catheters to campus mail and prescription diets for patients. It’s more than just filling orders — it’s anticipating the needs of an entire hospital.”
That foresight is essential, especially when facing global supply chain disruptions such as the recent IV fluid shortage, which affected human and animal health care. When such shortages arise, Bohn immediately works with clinicians to identify alternatives, ensuring patient care remains seamless.
“I don’t have the clinical skills to make every call, but I’m glad to be part of the conversation,” she said. “I work closely with the clinicians to find creative, reliable solutions, even if it means thinking outside the box.”
Teamwork at the core
At the heart of Central Services is a tight-knit group of eight employees who share Bohn’s commitment to excellence.
“I spend more time with my staff than I do my family,” Bohn said. “They are my family. We work together, we lean on each other, and we have fun when we can. That connection is important to me.”
That sense of connection is echoed by those who work alongside Bohn and her team.
“Joni and her staff, though often unseen by pet owners, are deeply valued and are crucial to ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients,” Dodam said. “At the VHC, we’re incredibly proud of every member of our staff, and we’re especially grateful for dedicated groups like Central Services and Sterile Processing who help make extraordinary care possible every day.”
The camaraderie translates directly into the quality of their work. Whether preparing supplies for a routine pickup or an emergency procedure, Bohn’s team takes pride in every delivery they make. “At the end of the day, we’re all in it for four reasons: our patients, our clients, our students and each other,” Bohn said. “When it all comes together, it makes me happy. And that’s what life is about — being happy and helping others. The VHC fosters that kind of growth, and I feel so blessed to be part of it all.”