Blogs

VHMA Welcomes Gold Supporting Sponsor, DVM STAT Consulting

By VHMA Admin posted 9 days ago
ALACHUA, FL – The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that DVM STAT Consulting, a teleconsultation platform that delivers board-certified expertise to veterinary teams and ongoing case support, has joined as a Gold Supporting Sponsor. Companies offering products and services that address the professional business needs of modern veterinary practices are invited to participate in VHMA's sponsorship programs. DVM STAT Consulting provides 24/7 access to over 40 board-certified specialists across eight specialties for support of canine and feline patients. Consults include ongoing case support and follow-up. The company also ...

VHMA Announces First Recipient of Mark Opperman Scholarship Award, Laurie Auger

By VHMA Admin posted 10 days ago
ALACHUA, FL – Laurie Auger never imagined a future in the veterinary field. After moving to a small Montana town with her husband, while also completing an online degree in early childhood education at the University of Montana Western, she took a part-time assistant job at Crazy Mountain Veterinary Service "just to get by." What began as a temporary role in 2015 quickly transformed into a career that captured her heart as she advanced from assistant to receptionist, office manager, and ultimately to practice manager, becoming an essential part of the rural mixed-animal practice. In recognition of her leadership, impact, and dedication to professional growth, ...

VHMA Emerging Leaders Program Recipients Announced: Alicia Edwards and Ericka Klopp-Taipalus

By VHMA Admin posted 11 days ago
ALACHUA, FL– The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that Alicia Edwards, CVPM, and Ericka Klopp-Taipalus, CVPM, CVT, have been selected as the 2026 Emerging Leader Program Scholarship Award Winners. The VHMA Emerging Leaders Program creates opportunities for the next generation of veterinary management professionals to advance toward earning the esteemed Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certification. It also energizes the association with new leaders who help shape the future direction of the profession. The 2026 recipients were selected for their commitment to professional development and leadership. ...

VHMA Welcomes Gold Supporting Sponsor, Black Diamond Radio

By VHMA Admin posted 18 days ago
For Immediate Release Contact: Jessica Lis, (215) 884-6499 Jessica@comsolutionsgroup.com ALACHUA, FL – The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that Black Diamond Radio, manufacturer of the smallest, lightest industrial two-way radios and communication systems, has joined as a Gold Supporting Sponsor. Companies that offer products and services addressing the professional business needs of modern veterinary practices are invited to participate in VHMA's sponsorship programs. Initially known for providing high-quality earpieces to law enforcement, Black Diamond Radio expanded its expertise to veterinary, dental, hospitality, ...

Reflecting on Things and People That Make Us Grateful

By Leslie Boudreau posted 26 days ago
How did we make it to November in the blink of an eye? With the end-of-year holidays looming, another year has whizzed by, causing me to reflect on the speed of everyday life and the gratitude I have for my work family. November is otherwise known as the Month of Gratitude. Thanksgiving celebrations prompt us to pause and reflect on the things and people in our lives that make us grateful. I spend many quality hours with my work family, primarily my leadership team. I am grateful for the wonderful group of veterinary professionals with whom I work daily. My gratitude for my team is exemplified when we all work together as a united team on a project ...

VHMA Celebrates Practice Manager Recognition Week: November 9–15, 2025

By VHMA Admin posted 11-10-2025
The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) proudly announces the celebration of Practice Manager Recognition Week, taking place from November 9 to 15, 2025. This annual event honors the dedication, leadership, and expertise of veterinary practice management professionals, as well as their vital contributions to the veterinary field. November is a month synonymous with gratitude—and VHMA extends its heartfelt appreciation to its membership of more than 5,000 veterinary practice managers. Practice Manager Recognition Week provides the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the pivotal role these professionals play in ensuring the success and well-being of ...

Navigating Prescription Requests in Veterinary Practices: Compliance and Patient Safety

By VHMA Admin posted 11-04-2025
As a business manager in a veterinary hospital, ensuring compliance with laws governing prescription practices is crucial—not only for legal and ethical reasons, but also to maintain trust with clients. With increased client demand for third-party prescription fills (think Chewy, 1-800-PetMeds, and local pharmacies), understanding the rules in your state is more important than ever. 1. Stay Current on State Regulations Each state's veterinary medical board oversees prescription practices and may update rules, especially as they relate to electronic prescriptions and telemedicine. Visit your state board's website regularly or sign up for alerts to stay informed ...

Seasons Change, Challenges Grow

By Leslie Boudreau posted 10-15-2025
Fall is my favorite season. I love the sunny days and cool, crisp evening breezes coming off the Pacific Ocean near my home in Southern California. California may be devoid of what most areas consider real seasons, but we still experience the shorter hours of daylight and the expected drops in temperature. I have always been a "sweater weather” fan and may own an alarming number of sweater choices. This is a no-judgment zone, right? Yet, with the change of seasons, cooler temperatures, and shorter days come the changing veterinary management challenges. For my leadership team and me, this comes in the form of preparing for the upcoming holidays and grappling ...

VHMA Insiders’ Insights KPI Quarterly Commentary - October 2025

By VHMA Admin posted 10-14-2025
VHMA Insiders’ Insight Commentary October 2025 Brittany Yost, CVPM, CVBL, CCFP Director, Customer Implementation and Engagement, Vetsource This quarter's VHMA Insiders' Insight data tells a consistent story, aligning with what we've seen throughout the year. Patient visits and revenue remained variable through the summer before climbing sharply in September to close the quarter on a high note. After a summer slowdown, practices closed September on a high note with the strongest month of patient visit growth in the past year. August marked the low point, with patient visits down -4.2% for VHMA Members and -5.2% for Non-Members year-over-year. Last month, however, ...

Five Veterinary Managers Receive 2025 VMG Scholarship to Earn the CVPM Certification

By VHMA Admin posted 10-08-2025
ALACHUA, FL — In a dynamic collaboration between Veterinary Management Groups (VMG), Zoetis, and the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), five outstanding veterinary professionals have been awarded scholarships to pursue the esteemed Certified Veterinary Practice Management (CVPM) certification—the pinnacle of achievement in veterinary management. The CVPM certification program, facilitated by the VHMA, signifies a candidate's expertise and proficiency in navigating the evolving landscape of veterinary business management. To earn this certification, candidates must demonstrate extensive experience and knowledge and successfully complete ...

Naming My Gremlin

By Leslie Boudreau posted 09-15-2025
I am coming off a post-conference high as I write my first President's Message. The VHMA's annual conference was held at the beginning of the month in New Orleans. The theme was fantastic: “Rhythms of Excellence: Strategies for Veterinary Hospital Success.” There were so many highlights, including a second line parade for all the attendees, a pinning ceremony for the first recipients of VHMA's new certification, CVOM, and the record number of new CVPMs pinned, that we needed two groups as they couldn’t all fit on stage. The feedback for the conference will be analyzed to ensure we continue to provide top-notch continuing education for all veterinary management ...

Veterinary Professionals Achieve Prestigious Certifications in August 2025

By VHMA Admin posted 09-11-2025
Alachua, FL - The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is proud to announce the certification of forty-six veterinary management professionals. Four individuals have earned the Certified Veterinary Office Manager (CVOM) certification, while forty-two have achieved the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation. These accomplishments represent significant professional milestones, signaling expertise and excellence in veterinary practice management. The CVOM and CVPM programs, launched by VHMA, are designed to certify management professionals equipped to handle the dynamic operations of modern veterinary practices. The ...

VHMA Selects Two President Award Winners at 2025 Conference

By VHMA Admin posted 09-11-2025
New Orleans, La. — Like the music of New Orleans, which often has a vibrant, two-beat rhythm, the Veterinary Hospital Manager Association (VHMA) selected two President's Award winners this year. At its 2025 conference "Rhythms of Excellence: Strategies for Veterinary Hospital Success," held in New Orleans, VHMA honored Dr. Elizabeth Fritzler, DVM, CVPM, and Dr. Susan Diment, CVPM, PHR, DBA, for significantly impacting VHMA and growing the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) program. Fritzler, a VHMA member for more than 20 years, is currently the managing partner of Cascade Heights Veterinary Center. She served ...

Managers Matter: A Thank You and a Challenge

By Scott Zimmerman posted 08-08-2025
As I look ahead to the Annual Conference in New Orleans, I find myself reflecting on the incredible people who make up this organization. Serving as VHMA President over the past two years has been an honor and a privilege. It’s also been a reminder of something we don’t say often enough: managers matter. Veterinary managers keep their hospitals running– quietly, consistently, and with a level of commitment that often goes unnoticed. Most of us go about our work behind the scenes, serving as the buffer between ownership, the team, and clients. And while that’s part of the job, it doesn’t mean it should go unacknowledged. So, for my final blog ...

VHMA Welcomes Scratchpay as a Silver Supporting Sponsor

By VHMA Admin posted 08-07-2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jessica Lis, 215-884-6499 jessica@comsolutionsgroup.com ALACHUA, FL– The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that Scratchpay , a technology platform that provides flexible payment plans for veterinary and medical services, has joined as a Silver Supporting Sponsor. Companies that offer products and services addressing the professional business needs of modern veterinary practices are invited to participate in VHMA's sponsorship programs. Scratchpay enables pet parents to pay for treatment over time through affordable, customized plans without the need for a hard credit ...

Cycling Around a Fallen Tree: Been There, Done That

By Scott Zimmerman posted 07-21-2025
Unless you spent June reading fiction on the beach, you might recall my blog last month, which celebrated the cycling season by sharing "rules of the road" for practice managers. At that time, I was preparing for our AAHA accreditation and shared some pointers and strategies from a rider's perspective, like "Prepare for Complications During the Ride." Never in my wildest dreams did I expect the complications I faced on the morning of our AAHA visit. But first, let's set the stage. For those familiar with AAHA accreditation, maintaining it is akin to a CVPM keeping their certification. Every few years, you must present your continuing education, and then you ...

VHMA Insiders’ Insights KPI Quarterly Commentary - July 2025

By VHMA Admin posted 07-10-2025
VHMA Insiders’ Insight Commentary July 2025 Brittany Yost, CVPM, CVBL, CCFP Director, Customer Implementation and Engagement, Vetsource The latest VHMA Insiders’ Insight data signals a clear shift in veterinary practice performance: patient visits and active client counts are still trending downward, and revenue growth is losing steam. While July 2024 showed a 10.1% YoY revenue change, this year’s second-quarter growth ranged from -0.8% to 5.1%. So far, rising revenue per patient has masked the impact of declining volume, but the slowdown suggests that this strategy has run its course. Practices have relied on clients spending more to offset fewer visits, ...

Management is a Two-Way Street (An Expressway with a Bike Lane)

By Scott Zimmerman posted 06-17-2025
As we merge into the summer season, I often notice an uptick in my workload—which, in many ways, is a good thing. But sometimes I have to wonder: is the road getting busier, or am I just jumping into every lane to keep the team moving forward? Regardless, I make great efforts to stay true to my "rules of the road." Let me share a few: Prepare for Complications During the Ride This year feels like a winding stretch of road with new terrain. We're preparing for our AAHA accreditation visit, and just for fun, we've decided to switch over our practice management software at the same time. Everyone in the practice loves working with new software (NOT)! My friends ...

Navigating the Minefield: The Ethics of Political Discussions at Work

By VHMA Admin posted 06-17-2025
In today's hyper-connected world, the boundaries between our personal and professional lives can often blur, leading to intriguing yet complex conversations in the workplace. One of the most contentious topics that arise is politics. Allowing political discussions among team members raises significant ethical considerations that employers must navigate carefully. Let's explore these complexities and examine how workplaces balance free expression and maintain a healthy environment. The Case for Political Discussions at Work Fostering Open Dialogue: Allowing political discussions can promote an atmosphere of openness. It encourages employees to bring ...

Forty-Five Veterinary Professionals Earn CVOM Certification

By VHMA Admin posted 06-09-2025
Alachua, FL - The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is thrilled to announce that 45 veterinary management professionals have earned the Certified Veterinary Office Manager (CVOM) certification. Launched in January, this certification marks a significant professional achievement, and these individuals represent the inaugural class. The CVOM program is designed to certify qualified management professionals who focus on fundamental administrative office tasks, including team leadership roles. It serves as a testament to professional excellence and expertise, essential for managing the dynamic operations of modern veterinary practices. The CVOM ...