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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cassie Morrison, 215-884-6499
cassie@comsolutionsgroup.com 

ALACHUA, FL– The leaders who keep veterinary practices thriving behind the scenes will be recognized in a new way in 2027. The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) will support The Bridge Club's ICON Award, which will, for the first time, honor a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) for excellence in practice leadership.

Each year, The Bridge Club highlights a different area of impact within veterinary medicine through its ICON Award. For 2027, the organization will recognize a veterinary professional whose career demonstrates exceptional leadership in building successful practices, developing strong teams, and advancing the business of veterinary medicine.

Nominations for the 2027 ICON Award opened June 23, 2026, and will close August 3, 2026. CVPMs may be nominated or may self-nominate. Nominations may be submitted through the official form at https://thebridgeclub.com/elevating-vet-med/. The form requests information on the nominee's professional contributions, leadership impact, and lasting influence on veterinary medicine. Supporting details demonstrating excellence in practice leadership are strongly encouraged.

The ICON Award selection process is peer-driven. Past ICON honorees and program sponsors review nominations to identify a recipient whose leadership has made a lasting impact on the profession. The award recognizes practice managers who exemplify excellence in leadership, team development, workplace culture, client experience, mentorship, and advocacy.

“For too long, the leadership of veterinary hospital managers has often been overlooked, despite the essential role they play in every successful practice," said Christine Shupe, CAE, Executive Director of VHMA. "We're proud to support The Bridge Club's ICON Award because it helps make the profession of veterinary hospital management more visible, more valued, and impossible to overlook. Recognizing these exceptional leaders benefits not only the individuals honored but also the practices and profession they strengthen every day.”

"Veterinary practices don't thrive by accident," said Theresa Cosper-Roberts, MA, RVT, CVPM, ACVE(DE), Chief Veterinary Technician for The Bridge Club. "Behind every healthy culture, engaged team, and exceptional client experience is someone doing the often-unseen work of leadership."

The recipient will be honored at The Bridge Club's annual ICON event held in conjunction with VMX in Orlando on Saturday, January 16, 2027.

Since its launch in 2018, the ICON Award has recognized influential leaders across veterinary medicine. The 2027 recipient will join a distinguished group of honorees recognized for advancing the profession.

More information about the award, eligibility, and nomination process is available at https://thebridgeclub.com/elevating-vet-med/.

About The Bridge Club

The Bridge Club is a veterinary community dedicated to elevating the profession through conversation, connection, and recognition. Through signature awards, thought leadership, and industry events, The Bridge Club celebrates the leaders and ideas shaping veterinary medicine while creating space for meaningful dialogue and shared progress. With a community of more than 30,000 subscribers, The Bridge Club has hosted more than 250 conversations across the profession and helped raise more than $45,000 for charitable causes.

About VHMA

The VHMA, a nationally recognized thought leader, provides training, education, and resources to over 5,000 members. Its certification programs support veterinary practice management professionals by developing competence and encouraging standards. VHMA serves as a trusted resource for industry insights and advocacy, helping to shape the future of the veterinary profession. For more information, visit www.vhma.org.

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