Blogs

Partners for Health Pets and VHMA Collaboration Yields White Paper on the Role of Practice Champions in Creating a Culture of Preventive Pet Healthcare

By VHMA Admin posted 10 days ago
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The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce the publication of a white paper that describes a proven approach for guiding veterinary practices towards a more focused approach to preventive care, essential for delivering optimum well-being for canine and feline patients. The white paper is titled, “A Practice Champion for Preventive Pet Healthcare Makes All the Difference.” As its title implies, the white paper asserts that a successful transition to prioritizing preventive care requires a Champion from within the practice to lead the effort. The white paper recognizes the significance of Your Guide to Becoming a Practice ...
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VHMA Seeks Nominations for the 2023 Practice Manager of the Year Award

By VHMA Admin posted 16 days ago
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The winning manager has created a better workplace for staff, improved care for pets, and a better return for ownership. Owners and colleagues are encouraged to nominate a management professional, and practice management professionals are encouraged to self-nominate. The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Practice Manager of the Year. The Practice Manager of the Year award will honor a management professional who has used knowledge, experience, and expertise to transform a practice and improve business operations. The 'manager's efforts have demonstrably improved the workplace, animal care, and/or the ...
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Insiders' Insight KPI - January 2023

By VHMA Admin posted 23 days ago
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Revenue growth continued to decline in December 2022 with VHMA practice growth at 1.6% and non-VHMA practice growth at a negative 0.1% for an overall average of 0.2% from December 2021 to December 2022. Revenue growth in December was much less than in most months of 2022. Growth for 2022 as a whole was 5.4% for VHMA practices and 4.3% for non-VHMA practices. The number of workdays in December 2022 and December 2021 was the same. Revenue per unique patient in VHMA practices increased by 7.6% in December 2022 compared to the same month in 2021, however, patient visit numbers actually declined by 6.2%, thus driving reducing total revenue growth to just the 1.6% ...
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How to Handle Questions and Complaints About Rising Veterinary Care Costs

By VHMA Admin posted 25 days ago
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Why is the cost of veterinary care so high? It’s a question no one enjoys being asked. It’s also a question for which it may not be possible to satisfy the person asking it, no matter how good an answer you give. Pet owners are understandably flummoxed by the recent rise in the cost of caring for their pets. Although pet insurance does exist, the vast majority of pet owners pay for veterinary care out of their own pockets. When a person doesn’t feel well, most of the time they are able to communicate how they feel.  There is no way for your pet to tell you, “I’m fine, don’t worry about it,” or “I think it’s time to see the doctor.” When our pets don’t ...
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Find Your Perfect Jam in 2023…Then Sing it Loudly

By Jessica Speas posted 28 days ago
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For me, this new year has brought on a hodgepodge of emotions. I confess that concluding the holiday festivities has made me a bit melancholy. At the same time, the prospect of a new year does awaken in me renewed enthusiasm. Yes, I am an oxymoron. As I work through these emotions, I find this song continues to come up again and again. My jam right now is “Times Like These” by the Foo Fighters.  If you don’t know it, let me share the lyrics that seem to resonate for me the most: It's times like these you learn to live again It's times like these you give and give again It's times like these you learn to love again It's times like these time and time ...
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Connect & Collaborate at VHMA’s 2023 Annual Conference Sept. 21-23

By VHMA Admin posted 01-05-2023
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According to recent member survey data, nothing is more empowering than the opportunity for veterinary management professionals to come together in person to gain knowledge, exchange ideas and foster new connections. Recognizing this, the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is excited to announce this year’s theme for its annual conference: Connect and Collaborate . VHMA will host the 2023 Annual Meeting and Conference on Sept. 21-23 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa in Glendale, Arizona. The 2023 Annual Conference is designed to connect veterinary management professionals and encourage collaboration via a broad range of poignant ...
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Five Veterinary Managers Receive 2022 VMG Scholarship to Earn the CVPM Certification

By VHMA Admin posted 12-19-2022
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Through a collaboration of VMG, Zoetis, and the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), five veterinary professionals have received a scholarship to help them attain the highest level of certification a veterinary manager can achieve ---the Certified Veterinary Practice Management (CVPM) credential.  CVPM certification, which is offered through the VHMA, qualifies the knowledge and experience necessary to successfully manage the ever-changing business management of today's veterinary practices. CVPM candidates must document experience, knowledge and pass an examination. The 2022 VMG member recipients of the CVPM scholarships are Crystal Hardison, ...
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‘Tis the Season of Overwhelm!

By Jessica Speas posted 12-10-2022
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What do holiday wrapping paper and December practice management responsibilities have in common? For me, a whirlwind of crazy! I don’t know about you, but for me, this time of year has been historically stressful; there is so much to be done on the “festive” side and the veterinary practice side that it becomes completely and utterly overwhelming. I think about what needs to occur in December at my practice, and my head spins faster than a dreidel: Open enrollment for health insurance has to be dealt with; inventory has to be reviewed; rates and pricing need to be adjusted thanks to the holiday “gift” of inflation. At my office, I also must deal with a significant ...
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Insiders' Insight KPI - December 2022

By VHMA Admin posted 12-08-2022
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The softening in revenue growth continues in November, with VHMA practice growth at 4.5% and non-VHMA practice growth at 3.1% for an overall average of 3.4% from November 2021 to November 2022 and a 12-month average change of 6.1% for VHMA practices. The number of workdays in November 2022 and November 2021 was the same. Revenue per unique patient in VHMA practices increased by 8.5% in November 2022 compared to the same month in 2021; however, patient visit numbers actually declined by 3.5%. The increase in revenue per unique patient is most likely due primarily to fee increases with some degree of greater acceptance of medical recommendations by pet owners. ...
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Alex Brannon and Alex Flinkstrom Named 2023 VHMA Emerging Leaders Program Scholarship Recipients

By VHMA Admin posted 12-05-2022
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The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that Alex Brannon and Alex Flinkstrom have been selected as its 2023 Emerging Leadership 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 the association in meaningful ways that contribute to their professional growth and energize the association with new leaders and the future direction of the profession.  The 2023 recipients were selected for their commitment to professional growth and leadership. Meet the Emerging Leaders Alex Brannon, ...
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Twenty-One Veterinary Practice Managers Earn Prestigious CVPM Designation

By VHMA Admin posted 11-30-2022
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Alachua, FL - The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that twenty-one veterinary management professionals recently earned the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) credential. The VHMA’s CVPM credential, which is voluntary, is recognized as the sign of professional achievement and excellence and is awarded to those who demonstrate the knowledge and experience necessary to successfully manage the ever-changing operations of today's veterinary practices. The class of November 2022 includes: Lori Altimore Hannah Bauchat Abigail Burkardt Yvette Carnot Caitlyn Corass Katie Nicole Delmar Danielle English Judith Evans ...
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VHMA Honors Practice Manager Appreciation Week (Nov 13-19)

By VHMA Admin posted 11-14-2022
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Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is delighted to support the launch of an annual “Practice Manager Appreciation Week” the third week of November. The awareness week initiated by Thrive Pet Healthcare (“Thrive”) , is designed to celebrate the role all Practice Managers and Hospital Administrators play in supporting the veterinary profession while ensuring exceptional pet care. “It is most fitting that this awareness week is so close to Thanksgiving, a time to reflect on people for whom we are grateful,” said Christine Shupe, CAE, Executive Director of VHMA.  “We know how instrumental practice managers are within their veterinary hospital ...
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Insiders' Insight KPI - November 2022

By VHMA Admin posted 11-11-2022
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The softening in revenue growth continues in October. Revenue growth in October of 2022 compared to October 2021 wasn’t as strong as in August or September, although the decline in growth was less in October than in September. Remember, however, that August 2022 had an extra day in it compared to August 2021 so the higher growth in that month was somewhat driven by that additional workday. The number of workdays in October 2022 and October 2021 was the same. Growth for VHMA practices in October 2022 was 4.7% which is definitely less than the average over the last 12 months of 6.6%.  Lapsing patient numbers (defined here as those patients whose last medical ...
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Staff Utilization: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt Your Veterinary Practice

By VHMA Admin posted 11-08-2022
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The workforce shortage and a heavy patient load are forcing practices to re-evaluate how work gets done. Practice managers and owners are considering new ways to get more done with limited resources. Staff utilization has been at the forefront of industry discussion for some time, but the recent pandemic has exacerbated our workforce issues and forced practices to not just talk about improved utilization but put a new plan into action. Pretty much everyone in the industry agrees that the key to improving efficiencies is to improve staff utilization. This means staff working at the highest level of their ability, reducing redundancy, and cutting out non-essential ...
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Transforming the Delivery of the F-Word: Feedback

By Jessica Speas posted 11-07-2022
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Feedback. It is a word that makes many of us cringe a bit, and perhaps for a good reason. We have all received out-of-the-blue, unsolicited feedback that made us feel like…Ok, I will say it…poo. Think way back into the early days of your career. Or maybe think back to just last week. Chances are good that you have been the recipient of raw feedback which left you with an assortment of awful feelings: anger, defensiveness, sadness and hurt. I am willing to bet that, thanks to the poorly delivered feedback you received, you just may have gotten into the habit of poorly delivering feedback to others. Who can blame you? If you have never received feedback the ...
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Reputation: It Takes Years to Build and Minutes to Ruin

By VHMA Admin posted 11-06-2022
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What’s the one thing that all practices want and need? A good reputation! Many factors impact reputation including staff, equipment, protocols, quality of care, and bedside manner. As more and more clients go to online platforms to comment on a practice’s services, its essential that managers be aware of the quality of their practice’s services. Although you can control the practice’s services, brand, and product, reputation is largely influenced by your clients’ perceptions. To ensure that you are doing everything in your power to create and deliver an exemplary patient and client experience, it’s essential to review business practices, determine which areas ...
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VHMA Welcomes Silver Supporting Sponsor, Ogena Solutions

By VHMA Admin posted 10-20-2022
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The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that Ogena Solutions, a bio-security company dedicated to safeguarding human, animal, and environmental health from infectious disease and pollutants, has signed on as a Silver Supporting Sponsor. Qualifying companies offering products and services that address the professional business needs of today's veterinary practices are invited to participate in VHMA's sponsorship programs. “Ogena Solutions cultivates a healthy and sustainable environment by giving us affordable, harmless products that clean and disinfect in order to help protect both humans and animals,” said Christine Shupe, ...
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VHMA Welcomes Gold Supporting Sponsor, Relief Rover

By VHMA Admin posted 10-14-2022
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ALACHUA, FL – The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) announced that Relief Rover, a company dedicated to playing matchmaker between veterinary practices and relief veterinarians and technicians, has signed on as a Gold Supporting Sponsor. Qualifying companies offering products and services that address the professional business needs of today's veterinary practices are invited to participate in VHMA's sponsorship programs.   “Relief Rover fosters healthy, mutually beneficial, and long-lasting relationships between veterinary professionals and practices by connecting relief professionals to employers that best meet each other’s needs,” said Christine ...
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Insiders' Insight KPI - October 2022

By VHMA Admin posted 10-12-2022
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Revenue growth in September of 2022 compared to September 2021 wasn’t as strong as in August 2022 (5.7% vs. 8.4%.) Remember, however, that August 2022 had an extra day in it compared to August 2021, so the higher growth last month was somewhat driven by that. The number of workdays in September 2022 and September 2021 were the same. Growth for VHMA practices in September 2022 was 6.0% which is a little less than the average over the last 12 months of 6.7%. This indicates a softening in growth as we also saw last month.   Revenue per unique patient increased 8.5% in September 2022 compared to the same month in 2021, however, patient visit numbers actually ...
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Professional Falling is How We Succeed

By Jessica Speas posted 10-10-2022
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I recently shared a personally embarrassing story of a silly slip and fall at a water park. While I was not physically hurt, it was ego-bruising for sure. Nonetheless, I stood up, dusted myself off, and faced the waterslide head-on. Sharing this story makes me think of other falls I’ve had in my professional life. As managers, we run the risk of professionally falling every day. And in one way or another, it is inevitable. Professionally falling means, we have done something outside of our comfort zone. We have taken a risk and tried something new. Maybe we have purchased software to revolutionize client care, but we cannot get it off the ground. Perhaps we ...
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