Blogs

Management is a Two-Way Street (An Expressway with a Bike Lane)

By Scott Zimmerman posted 5 days ago
As we merge into the summer season, I often notice an uptick in my workload—which, in many ways, is a good thing. But sometimes I have to wonder: is the road getting busier, or am I just jumping into every lane to keep the team moving forward? Regardless, I make great efforts to stay true to my "rules of the road." Let me share a few: Prepare for Complications During the Ride This year feels like a winding stretch of road with new terrain. We're preparing for our AAHA accreditation visit, and just for fun, we've decided to switch over our practice management software at the same time. Everyone in the practice loves working with new software (NOT)! My friends ...

Navigating the Minefield: The Ethics of Political Discussions at Work

By VHMA Admin posted 6 days ago
In today's hyper-connected world, the boundaries between our personal and professional lives can often blur, leading to intriguing yet complex conversations in the workplace. One of the most contentious topics that arise is politics. Allowing political discussions among team members raises significant ethical considerations that employers must navigate carefully. Let's explore these complexities and examine how workplaces balance free expression and maintain a healthy environment. The Case for Political Discussions at Work Fostering Open Dialogue: Allowing political discussions can promote an atmosphere of openness. It encourages employees to bring ...

Forty-Five Veterinary Professionals EarnCVOM Certification

By VHMA Admin posted 14 days ago
Alachua, FL - The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is thrilled to announce that 45 veterinary management professionals have earned the Certified Veterinary Office Manager (CVOM) certification. Launched in January, this certification marks a significant professional achievement, and these individuals represent the inaugural class. The CVOM program is designed to certify qualified management professionals who focus on fundamental administrative office tasks, including team leadership roles. It serves as a testament to professional excellence and expertise, essential for managing the dynamic operations of modern veterinary practices. The CVOM ...

VHMA Announces 2025 Practice Manager of the Year: Lynsey Mohr, CVPM

By VHMA Admin posted 14 days ago
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 ...

Veterinary Practice Managers Earn Prestigious CVPM Designation

By VHMA Admin posted 05-12-2025
Alachua, FL - The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that twenty-five veterinary management professionals recently earned the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certification. The VHMA's voluntary CVPM certification program is recognized as a sign of professional achievement and excellence and is awarded to those who demonstrate the knowledge and experience necessary to manage the ever-changing operations of today's veterinary practices successfully. The class of April 2025 includes: Kendra Blevins Elizabeth Capo Laura Carrillo Kristyn Chen Ronielle Cole Jackie Condrea Kari Dummer Marjorie Holloway Katrina ...

Only You Create Your Own Legacy

By Scott Zimmerman posted 05-07-2025
With Mother's Day this month, and Father's Day coming right after, I cannot stop thinking about the concept of Legacy. The word" legacy" is rather broad in terms of what it means to each of us. A "Legacy" can refer to something handed down from the past, or the lasting impact of an individual or group, whether that Legacy is positive or not. I have been focusing a bit on the concept of Legacy and what it has meant to me. I figured I would use this blog to share my thoughts. What's in a Name? Sometimes It's a Legacy We Need to Change I grew up in Tyler, Texas, the Rose Capital of the world and birthplace of Earl Campbell (an NFL running back nicknamed ...

VHMA Welcomes Gold Supporting Sponsor, Shepherd

By VHMA Admin posted 04-25-2025
ALACHUA, FL – The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that Shepherd , a leading cloud-based practice management system, has joined as a Gold Supporting Sponsor. Shepherd was designed by a veterinarian to streamline veterinary operations and enhance overall patient care. Companies that offer products and services addressing the professional business needs of modern veterinary practices are invited to participate in VHMA's sponsorship programs. Shepherd provides practice managers with a beautiful, intuitive interface that is easy to use from day one. Its SOAP-based workflows and robust clinical tools reduce administrative ...

Why I am Rereading "Who Moved My Cheese" in Our Era of Uncertainty

By Scott Zimmerman posted 04-16-2025
Several years ago, I presented an application station session on Organizational Change at the VHMA Management Exchange. The topic focused on how different personality types function during periods of change. I used one of my favorite books on change, " Who Moved My Cheese ." If you have never read this bestseller, let me give you a quick summary: "Who Moved My Cheese?" is a fictional book about four characters in a maze who search for "cheese" (representing happiness, success, or what they want in life). When the cheese disappears, the characters react differently, showcasing the human response to change. Two mice, Sniff and Scurry, readily adapt to the change, ...

VHMA Insiders’ Insights KPI Quarterly Commentary - April 2025

By VHMA Admin posted 04-14-2025
VHMA Insiders’ Insight Commentary April 2025 Brittany Yost, CVPM, CVBL, CCFP Senior Manager, Customer Implementation and Engagement, Vetsource The data paints a clear picture: veterinary practices are facing mounting challenges in maintaining client visits. According to the VHMA's KPI Insiders' Insight, the trend remains concerning. While December showed a modest year-over-year revenue increase, January saw a slight dip, followed by a more notable decline in February. March brought some relief with a 2.5% year-over-year revenue uptick. Revenue per patient has remained positive over the past 12 months, holding steady between 4.4% and 5.9% in Q1. Despite these ...

VHMA Welcomes Platinum Supporting Sponsor, Acclivet

By VHMA Admin posted 04-11-2025
ALACHUA, FL – The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that Acclivet , a company dedicated to helping veterinary practices streamline operations through expert financial, human resources and legal solutions, joined as a Platinum Supporting Sponsor. Companies that offer products and services addressing the professional business needs of modern veterinary practices are invited to participate in VHMA's sponsorship programs. Acclivet empowers practices to focus on their core mission of delivering exceptional animal care while ensuring their business operations are efficient, compliant and poised for growth. The online platform ...

VHMA Welcomes PetDesk as a Gold Supporting Sponsor

By VHMA Admin posted 04-03-2025
ALACHUA, FL – The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that PetDesk , a one-stop shop for veterinary practices seeking internal and external communications programs, has joined as a Gold Supporting Sponsor. Companies that offer products and services addressing the professional business needs of modern veterinary practices are invited to participate in VHMA’s sponsorship programs. PetDesk offers four purpose-built veterinary solutions: communications, PIMS-integrated phones, online booking, and digital marketing. These solutions help practice managers save time, reduce hospital call volume, and upgrade workflow efficiency while ...

VHMA Welcomes Platinum Supporting Sponsor, Vet and Tech

By VHMA Admin posted 03-31-2025
Alachua, FL – The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that Vet and Tech, an online platform offering virtual education for veterinary industry professionals, has joined as a Platinum Supporting Sponsor. Companies that offer products and services addressing the professional business needs of modern veterinary practices are invited to participate in VHMA's sponsorship programs. Vet and Tech officially launched its education platform for veterinary professionals in March 2023. The platform offers free RACE-approved webinars, "Virtual Learn at Lunch" sessions, product demonstrations, and a subscription-based model for in-depth ...

The Sense of Belonging Unique to VHMA: Got It in You?

By Scott Zimmerman posted 03-13-2025
This month, I want to reflect on a powerful theme— belonging . Yes, people belong to fitness clubs, alumni associations, and maybe even places of worship. But the sense of belonging that permeates VHMA is so distinct that it becomes a pivotal part of our careers, the success of our practices, and, quite honestly, our lives. VHMA members are "a people," "a peoplehood," or, in the spirit of the Easter basket season, "my peeps." Don't know what that exactly means? Read on… We are people who celebrate and thrive together. Over the past few months, I've had countless opportunities to connect with VHMA members in person and even more online as we've come together ...

Veterinary Practice Managers Earn Prestigious CVPM Designation

By VHMA Admin posted 03-03-2025
Alachua, FL - The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that twenty veterinary management professionals recently earned the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) credential. The VHMA's CVPM credential, which is voluntary, is recognized as a sign of professional achievement and excellence and is awarded to those who demonstrate the knowledge and experience necessary to manage the ever-changing operations of today's veterinary practices successfully. The class of January 2025 includes: Tobra Avery Cami Cotter Ashley Egan Mary Ghazanfari Shelby Kathleen Hasting Christina Hayden Brandy Hendrix Jen Jones Rebecca May Christine ...

Our VHMA Community: Upholding Our Values Together

By VHMA Admin posted 02-13-2025
At VHMA, we believe fostering a respectful and welcoming environment is essential to sustaining our professional community. Our commitment is central to creating a space where everyone can thrive regardless of background, experience, or ability. While our policies outline an ethical code and guidelines for conduct, it's important that each of us, as members of this community, actively participate in upholding our goals and values regarding civil and professional interactions. Having written policies is not enough; we must each actively demonstrate these values in our actions. Our organization represents a diverse group of veterinary professionals with different ...

VHMA Welcomes Gold Supporting Sponsor Antech

By VHMA Admin posted 02-13-2025
ALACHUA, FL – The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that Antech, a global veterinary diagnostics, technology, and imaging company providing cutting-edge veterinary diagnostic solutions since 1986, has joined as a Gold Supporting Sponsor. Companies that offer products and services addressing the professional business needs of modern veterinary practices are invited to participate in VHMA's sponsorship programs. Antech provides veterinary practices with comprehensive, timely diagnostic portfolios that empower veterinary care decisions. Operating more than 90 state-of-the-art reference labs worldwide, including over 70 in ...

Sage Advice on Living in the Now: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On”

By Scott Zimmerman posted 02-10-2025
I know it is only February, but I am already thinking about our annual conference in New Orleans. New Orleans has a special place in my heart and soul. One of the things that stands out when I think of NOLA is the resilience of the city and its citizens after 80% of its city was flooded, many people lost their lives, and $125 billion in damage occurred at the hands of Hurricane Katrina. When I think about perseverance, I think about these folks who know well that each time they rebuild, they live with the risk of a natural disaster happening again. I believe perseverance is one of the most important traits a manager should possess. Sometimes, it is hard ...

VHMA Announces the Mark Opperman Scholarship Award Program

By VHMA Admin posted 01-13-2025
ALACHUA, FL– The Veterinary Hospital Management Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Mark Opperman Scholarship Award Program, intended to financially support veterinary management professionals aspiring to achieve the Certified Veterinary Practice Management (CVPM) credential, while honoring its former founder and visionary behind the certification. “We hope to continue Mark Opperman’s legacy by paving the way for more practice management professionals to attain the CVPM certification ,” said Christine Shupe, CAE, VHMA Executive Director. The award program will recognize one practice manager annually who will receive a cash reward ...

VHMA Insiders’ Insights KPI Quarterly Commentary - January 2025

By VHMA Admin posted 01-13-2025
VHMA Insiders' Insights Commentary January 2025 Brittany Yost, CVPM, CVBL, CCFP Senior Manager, Customer Implementation and Engagement As we enter 2025, it's a great time to reflect on the trends, challenges, and opportunities that have shaped the veterinary industry over the past year. From slowing revenue growth to declines in patient visits, the data provides insights into the areas where practices need to focus their attention. Throughout the last year, we examined the Revenue, Patients, and Practice Health KPI metrics in depth each quarter. Now, let's take a step back and look at the broader picture to uncover the key takeaways. Revenue Insights ...

Into the Future – Embracing Change

By Scott Zimmerman posted 01-06-2025
Perhaps I have been exposed to too much science news lately, but something about entering 2025 sounds futuristic. It got me thinking that maybe I needed to let go of some of my comforts, embrace change, and learn some new ways of doing things. For me, that is not as easy as it sounds. I have a high "S" personality, which stands for "Stable." Change is hard for me sometimes, and I resist it more than I should. This truth hit me during the holidays as I was getting decorations down from the attic and found a box of memories, AKA "old stuff." One of those heirlooms was an unused cassette tape still in its original packaging! Yes, I made mixtapes to listen to ...