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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 professionals in the coming years. The early feedback that came to my attention was that attendees had a great time. They enjoyed many educational opportunities and fun events in a city known for its distinctive music, Creole cuisine, unique dialects, and celebrations like Mardi Gras. 

I am always energized after attending this conference, although I am busy around the clock during the following week and need a few days to recover my lost sleep. Regardless, I come back ready to implement the new ideas, products, and services that are my takeaways.  

One of the keynote programs, presented by speaker Tina Robinson, captured my attention this year. Ms. Robinson's topic was “Grappling with Gremlins, Three Steps to Managing Imposter Syndrome.” Notably, when the speaker asked the audience if anyone present had experienced “imposter syndrome,” the vast majority of the attendees raised their hands, myself included.  

I wondered why this topic resonated with me so strongly. Becoming VHMA President is something that I have dreamed of all my career, and it has been a bucket list goal in recent years. I have so much respect and love for this organization that gave my profession an official name and career status 40 years ago. It truly fulfills its tagline of "Advancing Managers and Transforming Practices."

 I've spent the last decade volunteering for the VHMA in so many ways:  working on VHMA committees, presenting at VHMA meetings, being a conference buddy to at least a dozen new members, and for the last eight years, volunteering on the VHMA Board of Directors. 

Ms. Robinson asked all the attendees to conquer imposter syndrome with three thoughtful processes: Frame, Name, Tame. One of the three was to give a name to your “gremlin.” "Naming your gremlin," she said, "gives us a feeling of power and control." Of course, the "gremlin" was a euphemism for your feeling of imposter syndrome or that little voice in your head that says, "Better not try – you'll probably fail." 

I named that little voice in my head Nellie. Nellie asked me if I could represent VHMA as president with confidence and competence and live up to the hard work and dedication of past presidents who came before me and those who will come after me. Nellie's persistent voice asked if I could represent the 5,000 VHMA members, make sure that the VHMA stays relevant for our membership, and attract and bring more members into the fold. Finally, Nellie very loudly asked if I was going to fail. 

So, to channel what I learned from Ms. Robinson, Nellie (aka The many "Negative Nellies" I have known over the years) and that very obnoxious Nellie that inhabits the back of my brain, I name you and tame you. Drawing on lessons learned from the 1984 movie "Gremlins," Nellie will not receive sunlight, water, or food after midnight. This means I will consciously vanquish Nellie and do my best to represent VHMA with passion and persistence to the best of my abilities. I hope I will inspire other VHMA members to get involved with this terrific organization and remember to conquer their own gremlins that may discourage them from trying or tell them they are not enough.

In VHMA, I have found my people, and I hope you can find them too. I look forward to a fantastic two years serving as VHMA President alongside an equally engaged and dedicated board of directors.  

Leslie Boudreau, RVTg, CVPM, PHRca, SPHR
VHMA President