ALACHUA, FL – Joshua “Josh” Blakemore, CVPM, RVT, FFCP, stands out as a practice manager committed to empowering other veterinary professionals. Through his efforts, he has cleared away substantial hurdles for veterinary technicians in Vermont, resulting in his selection as the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association’s (VHMA) 2024 Practice Manager of the Year (PMOY).
VHMA’s annual PMOY Award recognizes a practice manager who has used their knowledge, experience, and expertise to transform their practice and improve business operations. Blakemore’s efforts have not only resulted in a better workplace for staff and improved care for
pets, but they have been instrumental in supporting technicians, who play an essential role in the veterinary hospital.
As this year’s award recipient, Blakemore will be recognized at VHMA’s 2024 Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC, and will receive a complimentary conference registration and $1,250 for travel expenses. New to the award package this year is a complimentary VHMA/ACT Client service Certificate Program registration. This has been generously sponsored by VHMA’s Platinum Sponsor CareCredit. CareCredit has been a valuable partner in helping VHMA provide financial support to our membership through sponsorships and scholarships for over 10 years.
“Joshua Blakemore’s initiative in advocating for an apprenticeship program and licensure reciprocity in Vermont for technicians, assisting the local community during a natural disaster, and developing staff training programs for his hospital earned him this distinction above over 70 other nominations,” said Christine Shupe, CAE, VHMA Executive Director.
The Pathway to Practice Manager
A student of business and animal science at Eastern Gateway Community College, Blakemore received certification through the Professional Veterinary Technician School, and worked his way up the career ladder from kennel attendant to technician, to lead technician while living in California. Following a position as a clinical supervisor in a Vermont practice, he found his management calling at Onion River Animal Hospital (ORAH), in Burlington, Vt. There, he progressed from technician supervisor to practice manager.
Making Vermont a Better Place for Technicians
While California native Blakemore was happy to call Vermont his new home, there were three significant hurdles within the Green Mountain State which propelled Blakemore to take action:
Spearheading an Apprenticeship Program for Aspiring Vermont Technicians
In 2023, Vermont State University, which offered the state’s only technician program, lost crucial funding, putting the education of veterinary technicians in jeopardy. Though the program remained intact, the scare served as a catalyst for Blakemore to create a veterinary medicine apprenticeship program for the state.
Working with the Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL), Blakemore creates the curriculum in his free time and has been in communication with veterinary professionals across the state who are interested in teaching the subject matter. He hopes to have the base of the program completed and approved by the VDOL by the end of 2024 or by the beginning of 2025.
“We want to provide training for technicians so that they can administer anesthesia and perform dental work. Once they complete the program, they will have an apprenticeship certificate, validating the skills and knowledge they have learned,” said Blakemore.
Leading the Way in the Fight for Licensure by Reciprocity in Vermont
When Blakemore moved to Vermont, he learned it did not have a state licensing agency, though the Vermont Veterinary Technician Association (VVTA) did. Although he was licensed both nationally and in California, the technician program that Blakemore had attended had been closed and his transcripts were lost. This made it impossible for Blakemore to present the necessary paperwork to be considered for licensure through VVTA.
“For me personally, I didn’t need to be licensed in Vermont because I was a practice manager, but it made me wonder how many other Vermont transplants were in the same boat,” he reflected. “Would they give up on being credentialed technicians in Vermont?” Blakemore’s stance was if you went to school and got licensed, you should be considered a licensed, credentialed technician in Vermont.
He joined a VVTA advisory board to try and get the bylaws changed. After two long years of fighting to make licensure by reciprocity a reality in Vermont, it became official in 2023. Shortly thereafter, Blakemore became the first veterinary technician in Vermont to become licensed through licensure by reciprocity.
“Josh sets a prime example of how hard work and dedication can create opportunities in our small state,” said Angi Coppola, a Veterinary Technician at ORAH.
Saving Animals During Devastating Vermont Floods
In July of 2023, Vermont experienced flooding that damaged businesses and residences across the state. Concerned about impacted and displaced animals, ORAH kept its doors open to provide shelter for animals both during the day and overnight. Blakemore contacted the hospital’s suppliers and received hundreds of boxes of food to donate to pet owners in the community. The hospital also opened its charitable care fund for anyone who needed veterinary care.
When flooding subsided, Blakemore donated his time to help residents deal with property damage.
“I had survivor’s guilt. Every day after work, I helped with cleaning out people’s houses, mold mitigation and just doing anything I could with the local organizations to help people who were affected get back on their feet,” said Blakemore.
Fostering Staff Career Advancement Opportunities
Even before tackling these three state specific challenges, Blakemore positioned himself as a problem-solver within ORAH. To support career advancement within the practice, he created a tiered level training program for each role, from assistant to level 4 technician. Employees were placed at their respective level and provided training intended to support their promotion to the next level. With increased skills and knowledge, staff grow within the practice, an approach which supports employee retention.
“The positive change I noticed was the staff actively taking the initiative to get the training and experience to gain the skills that they were previously lacking so that they could move to a higher level,” said Blakemore.
About the PMOY Award
The VHMA Practice Manager of the Year (PMOY) award recognizes a practice manager who has used their knowledge, experience, and expertise to transform their practice and improve business operations. Their efforts have resulted in a better workplace for staff, improved care for pets, and a better return for ownership.
Practice owners and colleagues are encouraged to nominate a veterinary management professional whom they feel has transformed their practice for the better. Nominators are asked to detail why they think the nominee is qualified for the award and how they changed their practice.
The award nomination requires an essay of up to 750 words detailing why the management professional should be selected for the award and how the nominee has transformed their veterinary practice. Transformation can be related to a financial, staff and team, practice organization, cultural, marketing, etc. impact. The essay can be submitted by either a nominator or a nominee (self-nomination).
About the VHMA
The VHMA is a nationally recognized thought-leader and innovator in providing training, education, and resources to more than 5,000 members and a trusted resource that the veterinary sector relies on for industry insights, research, and advocacy to assure performance at the highest levels. VHMA's core purpose is to advance and support veterinary practice management professionals by developing professional competence, supporting and encouraging standards through the industry's highest-level certification program, the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM), and providing individuals with a network for professional connection and support. Learn more at www.VHMA.org.
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