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ALACHUA, FL– When emergency cases began overwhelming Rehoboth Beach Animal Hospital, Lynsey Mohr, Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM), responded with a bold solution: the creation of a five-day-a-week urgent care service that made her hospital the only provider within nearly an hour. The move dramatically improved access to treatment in her Delaware beach community, eased strain on general practice operations, brought in more than 1,200 new clients, increased annual patient visits by 2,400, and boosted gross profit by over 20 percent.

In recognition of her leadership and impact, the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) has named Mohr its 2025 Practice Manager of the Year (PMOY).

"Lynsey Mohr's innovative launch of urgent care services enhanced both patient care and hospital performance. Her visionary leadership truly represents the best of veterinary hospital management," said Christine Q. Shupe, CAE, VHMA Executive Director.

As this year's award recipient, Mohr receives complimentary registration to the VHMA 2025 Annual Meeting and Conference, along with $1,250 for travel, lodging, and meals. The award package also includes a VHMA/ACT Client Service Certificate Program registration, generously sponsored by VHMA Platinum Sponsor CareCredit. For more than a decade, CareCredit has supported VHMA through sponsorships and scholarships.

Rooted in Rehoboth

Mohr first came to the hospital as a high school student, interning as a veterinary assistant. She went on to earn a B.S. in animal sciences with a concentration in dairy science from Delaware Valley University and later managed operations at a large dairy farm. In 2020, she returned as practice manager with a new perspective and a clear vision for change.

Introducing Urgent Care to Improve Regional Access

To address rising emergency caseloads that were straining the hospital's operations, Mohr began tapping into her professional network. At the 2023 VHMA Annual Conference, she connected with critical care managers for advice on balancing urgent needs with limited resources. One message stuck with her: "If there's a need in your area, the patients will follow."

Mohr partnered with Chief of Staff Dr. Sarah Hirsch to pilot a single urgent care day to test the concept, and within just 90 minutes, every appointment was booked. Encouraged by the overwhelming demand, Mohr and Dr. Hirsch led the expansion to a five-day-a-week, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. urgent care model.
Rolling out the service was no small feat, as some staff felt uncertain about their roles in emergency care due to limited training. Mohr tackled these concerns head-on with targeted training, clear protocols, and open communication to build confidence across the team. She also adapted a curbside care model, leveraging protocols developed during the pandemic, to deliver efficient, flexible treatment despite limited exam room space.

By listening to her team and responding to community needs, Mohr turned an overburdened system into a high-functioning, responsive care model that redefined how veterinary services are delivered in her region.

Earning CVPM Certification and Mentoring the Next Generation

Mohr's commitment to excellence goes beyond operational innovation. She earned her CVPM credential certification while launching the hospital's urgent care service, balancing exam preparation with the complex demands of staffing and managing a major new initiative.

“Pursuing my CVPM while launching urgent care pushed me to grow in every direction as a leader," said Mohr. ""It gave me the tools and confidence to implement change effectively and support my team through each step.”

That experience also deepened her passion for mentorship. ""When I became a practice manager, I was in a sink-or-swim situation, with only two days of training. I remember wishing I had a mentor to lean on, which sparked my passion for supporting others. Once I was riding the bike with no training wheels, I wanted to help others take theirs off," she said.

Through Vetcor, the company that owns her hospital, Mohr now co-leads an eight-week onboarding program for new hospital managers each quarter. She provides real-time guidance, follow-up support, and one-on-one mentorship in collaboration with regional managers.

As this year's PMOY, Mohr looks forward to expanding opportunities to share best practices and strengthen collaboration across the veterinary community.

“"This award is more than recognition. It's a powerful reminder that the hard work and knowledge I've invested as a CVPM truly make a difference. It fuels my commitment to grow as a leader and inspire practice managers everywhere to elevate their teams and transform veterinary care,” she said.

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

As a VHMA member, you gain access to the trusted insights, training, and tools that top-performing veterinary managers use to lead with confidence. You'll stay ahead of industry changes with cutting-edge education, research-backed strategies, and a strong voice in advocacy efforts that shape the future of the profession—so you can perform at your best and support your team with credibility and clarity. 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.