The Veterinary Hospital Management Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that Victoria Lattig and Kaitlyn Behling-Mikesell have been selected as its 2025 Emerging Leader Program Scholarship Award Winners.
The VHMA Emerging Leaders Program is intended to create an opportunity for the next generation of veterinary management professionals to engage in meaningful ways that contribute to their professional growth and energize the association with new leaders and the future direction of the profession. The 2025 recipients were selected for their commitment to professional development and leadership.
Meet the Emerging Leaders:
Kaitlyn Behling-Mikesell, Hospital Administrator, Veterinary Care and Specialty Group
Kaitlyn Behling-Mikesell has enjoyed a rewarding career in veterinary management, progressing through various positions while remaining in the field she loves. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Tennessee. Her journey began as a surgery technician, eventually leading to her role as hospital administrator at the Veterinary Care Specialty Group in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as of November 2024.
Prior to that, Behling-Mikesell served as a business practice manager at New River Veterinary Specialists in Hardeeville, South Carolina. There, she faced and overcame her biggest challenge: transforming a struggling new practice into a successful and thriving one.
Streamlining Operations to Remediate New Practice's Inefficiencies
When Behling-Mikesell joined, the clinic was just shy of its first anniversary. It grappled with a high turnover rate and needed team training, organization, effective communication, and structure. The practice owners desperately needed someone to help realign and restructure the practice, and Behling-Mikesell delivered.
Behling-Mikesell's first step was to streamline daily operations by establishing protocols, processes, and standardizations the practice lacked. She introduced a new internal communication system and implemented monthly department and leadership meetings. She organized how the practice stored its documentation and developed an "Onboarding Day" for all new employees with subsequent monthly reviews to ensure new hires felt supported.
"I knew that coming in as a young practice manager, I needed to prove myself. I took the time to get to know the team, hear their frustrations and what they believe would improve the practice," said Behling-Mikesell.
Upon implementing these new procedures, the difference was palpable. With streamlined operations, employees spent less time completing tasks and had clarity on the expectations, resulting in reduced employee turnover and enhanced outcomes for the practice.
"The employees respected me for coming in, observing, and listening. They realized I was brought in to help and saw I was genuine with my intentions," added Behling-Mikesell.
Career Impact
Behling-Mikesell was elated to learn she was named one of the Emerging Leaders and believes that earning her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) will allow her to help other practice managers develop a deeper understanding of how to manage a practice effectively.
"It's very exciting to see my hard work paying off. Once I earn my CVPM certification, I hope to assist other managers with efficiency, budgeting, or any other area where they may need support," said Behling-Mikesell.
In her spare time, Behling-Mikesell enjoys spending time outside with her dogs and horse and reading.
Victoria "Tori" Lattig, Hospital Manager, Bayview Animal Hospital
When Tori Lattig joined Bayview Animal Hospital in Toms River, N.J., in 2015 as a customer service supervisor, she was already familiar to some, having worked as a receptionist at a sister hospital seven years prior. Eager to look for ways to gain more responsibility and experience in the veterinary field, she worked hard and was promoted to hospital manager in 2018.
In this newfound role, she discovered a passion for helping employees succeed and reach their career aspirations. Lattig's biggest management challenge presented itself when she struggled to balance enforcing rules and protocols while maintaining those strong relationships, she had worked so hard to create with her staff.
Managing with an Emphasis on Empathy and Understanding
When she entered management, Lattig was determined to guarantee that nothing slipped through the cracks. She strictly imposed the hospital's rules, and unknowingly to Lattig, her staff began to think that the policies mattered more than they did. She was shocked when a hospital leader told her she needed to reevaluate her management approach.
While ensuring that rules and regulations are followed is imperative, Lattig realized she needed to provide some leeway. Her inability to do so inhibited her from effectively running the practice. In the following weeks, Lattig engaged in several challenging discussions with some of her most trusted mentors and leaders surrounding the leadership model, "leading with empathy." Embracing the model, which focuses on trying to identify and understand one's perspective, required Lattig to be respectful, transparent, actively listen, advocate for their employees, and most importantly, in her case, be flexible when managing unexpected situations.
"The truth was hard to swallow. I was putting the policy before the person," said Lattig.
Lattig took the advice to heart. After embracing the new model, focusing on flexibility, and putting humans before policy, she quickly saw its impact on day-to-day operations.
"Because I was more understanding and made sure that I was listening to their feedback and concerns, I was able to create a better connection with the team," said Lattig.
Looking Ahead
Lattig's sights were set on earning her CVPM certification for quite some time, and she recently completed Penn Foster's Veterinary Practice Management Undergraduate Certificate in preparation for the exam. After learning about the Emerging Leader Scholarship Program, she decided to throw her hat in the ring, and to her surprise, she was selected.
"I am so excited and honored. After earning my CVPM certification, I hope to help other hospital managers see the value in attaining their certification and how it can set them apart in the field," said Lattig.
When Lattig gets a moment to herself, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, stepchildren, and their menagerie of pets.
About the Emerging Leaders Program
VHMA Emerging Leaders receive an annual $2,500 scholarship for two years. The scholarship covers registration and travel expenses to attend the VHMA's Annual Meeting and Conference and CVPM certification program. Each candidate is expected to "give back" to VHMA through specific volunteer activities, which position them as an ambassador to promote the program, the association, and the profession.
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 CVPM, and providing individuals with a network for professional connection and support. Learn more at www.VHMA.org.
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