Exploring Life & Business with Alex Sigmund of The Veterinary Eye Team

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Sigmund.

Hi Alex, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our path to opening The Veterinary Eye Team has really been a combination of shared vision, timing, and a desire to do things differently.

Both Dr. Alessandra Keenan and I followed similar paths into veterinary ophthalmology, completing rigorous training through internships and residencies, and then spending years in specialty practice refining our skills. Along the way, we had the opportunity to work with a wide range of patients, from everyday companion animals to exotics and even zoo species, which really shaped how we think about ophthalmology as both a highly technical and deeply collaborative field.

As we grew in our careers, we found ourselves aligned on a few key things. We both cared deeply about high-level medicine, but just as much about how that care is delivered, clear communication with clients, strong relationships with referring veterinarians, and a team-based approach that makes everyone feel supported. Over time, we realized we wanted to build an environment that reflected those values more intentionally.

That’s what led us to start The Veterinary Eye Team. We wanted to create a modern, independently owned practice where we could combine advanced ophthalmic care with a more personal, thoughtful experience, for both clients and the veterinary community. It’s been a big undertaking, but also an exciting change, and we’re excited to bring that vision to life here in Atlanta.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been incredibly rewarding, but definitely not a smooth road. Like most startups, there’s been a constant balance between vision and reality. You start with a clear idea of the kind of practice you want to build, and then you quickly realize how many moving pieces it takes to actually make that happen- financing, construction timelines, equipment decisions, hiring the right team, and building systems from scratch. One of the biggest challenges has been navigating things that are completely outside of medicine. As specialists, we’re very comfortable diagnosing and treating complex cases, but opening a practice means stepping into roles as business owners, project managers, HR, and even IT support at times. There’s a steep learning curve there.

Timing has also been a challenge, coordinating build-out delays, aligning vendors, and making sure everything comes together at the same time. There are a lot of moments where progress feels slower than you’d like, or where you have to make tough decisions with limited information.

But I think the biggest “struggle,” in a good way, has been holding onto what we wanted this practice to be. It’s easy to compromise under pressure, but we’ve been very intentional about building something that reflects our values, high-level medicine, strong communication, and a supportive team culture. So no, it hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been very purposeful. And I think those challenges have actually helped us build something stronger and more thoughtful in the end.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Veterinary Eye Team?
The Veterinary Eye Team is a specialty veterinary practice focused exclusively on ophthalmology, so everything we do centers around diagnosing, treating, and managing eye diseases in animals. That ranges from routine conditions like dry eye and corneal ulcers to more advanced procedures like cataract surgery, complex corneal reconstruction, and glaucoma management. We work primarily with dogs and cats, but we also see exotics and occasionally partner with zoos and aquariums, which keeps the work both challenging and really rewarding.

What we’re known for and what we’ve been very intentional about is pairing high-level, board-certified care with a much more personal, collaborative experience. Ophthalmology can be intimidating for pet owners, and we’ve built our practice around making that experience clearer and more approachable. We put a big emphasis on communication, education, and making sure both clients and referring veterinarians feel informed and supported every step of the way.

I think what sets us apart is that we’re truly independent and very hands-on in how we’ve built the practice. Every detail from the way our space feels to how we structure appointments and train our team has been designed with intention. We’ve tried to create an environment that feels modern and elevated, but still warm and accessible. It’s not just about the medicine, it’s about the experience around it.

From a brand standpoint, we’re probably most proud of how cohesive everything feels. Our goal was to build something that reflects both who we are as doctors and how we want people to feel when they interact with us whether that’s in the clinic, on our website, or even through social media. The idea behind “Pet Care. With Vision.” really captures that for us. It speaks to both the specialty itself and the thoughtfulness behind how we deliver care.

At the end of the day, we want people to know that we’re here as a resource. For pet owners, that means clear answers and compassionate care during what can be a stressful time. For veterinarians, it means having a trusted partner they can collaborate with. That combination of clinical excellence and strong relationships is really the foundation of everything we do.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I think the biggest thing we’d want readers to know is that this has always been about people just as much as it is about medicine.

Veterinary ophthalmology is highly specialized, but behind every case is a pet owner trying to do the right thing, often in a stressful or emotional situation. We’ve built our practice around recognizing that taking the time to explain things clearly, to be available, and to make sure people feel supported and not overwhelmed.

We also really value the relationships we have with primary care veterinarians. Our goal is never to replace that relationship, but to strengthen it. The best outcomes happen when everyone is working together, and we see ourselves as an extension of that care team.

And on a broader level, we’re just really proud to be part of the Atlanta veterinary community. Opening an independent specialty practice is a big step, and we’re grateful for the support we’ve already received. We’re excited to keep growing, keep improving, and continue building something that people, clients, primary care veterinarians, and our team are genuinely proud to be a part of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theveteyeteam.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theveteyeteam
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theveteyeteam