Blogs

The Importance of Trust: Advocating for Yourself in the Practice

By VHMA Admin posted 8 days ago
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A recent interview with Hospital Administrator Bethany Mihalik , CVPM, CVT, MHRM, CCFP (BM) , and practice owner Andrew C. Sloyer , DVM (AS) , yielded insights into how an owner and management professional built a relationship of trust and mutual respect.   Background : Hospital administrator Bethany Mihalik (BM) was recommended for a practice manage ment position with Neffsville Veterinary Clinic , a 10 -doctor animal hospital in Lancaster, PA. Neffsville was established in 1970 and in 1990, the owners created a practice management position.     With years of practice management ...
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Pricing…in the Veterinary Industry and the Practice

By VHMA Admin posted 10 days ago
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How is your veterinary practice performing?   Of course, the obvious response is to discuss staff credentials and training, as well as the availability of state - of - the - art medical equipment. But do not lose sight of the fact that the practice is a business and in evaluating its performance , financial and organizational issues should be considered.      O f all the business decisions th e practice make s , those involving setting prices for new products and services and changing existing prices are among the most important and impactful. Why? Because no other decision affects the practice’s ...
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How are Practices Coping with the New COVID-19 Reality?  (Part IV)

By VHMA Admin posted 23 days ago
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The pandemic has dragged on longer than anyone thought possible when practices first saw an impact in March 2020.  The changes put in place that were "new" at the time are now "just how we do things." The Insiders' Insights Monthly Management Survey last addressed this topic in July 2020—this month's survey looks at how practices are coping now (five months later) and what kinds of changes have they seen? Practice operations remain changed in most practices as 70%+ of responding practices indicated they changed operations in one or more ways when the pandemic hit and have not started to return normal operations. Below are the most common changes ...
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As we approach 2021, let hope prevail!

By Michelle Gonzales-Bryant posted 23 days ago
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For what seems like an exceedingly long time, we’ve been in the trenches caring for the practice, staff, clients, and pets while addressing and respecting Pandemic guidelines and restrictions. I’m hopeful 2021 will begin the start of moving towards our new normal. We begin 2021 with some good news. Recently, VHMA was invited to serve on the Commission for a Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Veterinary Profession . The newly launched commission, organized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), brings together leading veterinary organizations that are committed ...
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VHMA Announces 2021 Emerging Leader Scholarship Recipients

By VHMA Admin posted 24 days ago
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The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that Missy Filarecki and Samantha Millet have been selected as the association's 2021 Emerging Leaders Program scholarship recipients. The prestigious program provides two VHMA members in good standing---age 40 or younger at the time of application---access to opportunities to refine their skills and enhance their professional development. The 2021 recipients were selected for their commitment to professional growth and leadership. VHMA Executive Director, Christine Shupe, CAE, said, "Applicants are asked to describe a challenge they overcame in the practice. Missy’s and Samantha’s ...
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Nineteen Veterinary Practice Managers Earn Prestigious CVPM Designation

By VHMA Admin posted 12-14-2020
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The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is pleased to announce that 23 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 2020 includes: Isabel Ameijeiras Amanda Burkett Rachelle Carl Lillian Kathleen Clegg Kelly Cromwell Joanne Fleming Kristen Fredette Marsha Morgan ...
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Social Media Considerations for Potential and Current Employees

By VHMA Admin posted 12-04-2020
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So many of us are living active online lives, inadvertently and unintentionally providing employers and potential employers with a significant amount of personal information when we share on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms. Consequently, employers can learn more about a person online than what they glean from a resume or through professional interactions in the workplace. Is it ethical and/or legal for employers to access and review personal information to learn more about job candidate or current employee? As long as an employer reviews public posts and information, there are no direct laws that prohibit them from reviewing ...
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Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) Welcomes Business Alliance Partner, Epicur ® Pharma

By VHMA Admin posted 12-04-2020
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The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), an association dedicated to enhancing and supporting veterinary management professionals through education, certification, resources, and networking, announced that Epicur Pharma, a company with a long-standing commitment to animal health and a pioneer in animal drug standards, is its newest partner. Qualifying companies offering products and services that address the professional business needs of today's veterinary practice are invited to participate in VHMA's sponsor programs. "With its reputation for producing high-quality, manufactured drugs for the veterinary industry, VHMA is delighted ...
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Airvet Joins on to the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) as Supporting Sponsor

By VHMA Admin posted 12-03-2020
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The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), an association dedicated to enhancing and supporting veterinary management professionals through education, certification, resources, and networking, announced today that Airvet, a leading global telemedicine/telehealth platform, has signed on as a VHMA Supporting Sponsor. VHMA offers sponsorship programs to qualifying companies offering products and services that address the professional business needs of today’s veterinary practice. “ VHMA is pleased to welcome Airvet. As telemedicine emerges as both an alternative and complement to the office visit in the veterinary industry, more and ...
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Preparing for a New Year

By VHMA Admin posted 12-02-2020
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2020 is ending, and we all seem to be holding out hope for a brighter 2021. This year’s extraordinary events and subsequent challenges have tested us, left us vulnerable, and, to some extent, made us stronger. December is prime for considering changes that can be made in the new year to improve our lives. Whether the goal is to become healthier, improve personally, or advance professionally, change is difficult without a plan. To excel professionally, it is helpful to emulate those who have achieved success. Managers who have made great strides in their careers tend to be ambitious, motivated, and empathetic. They also exhibit attributes ...
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Let the Job Description be Your North Star: Advocating for Yourself in the Practice

By VHMA Admin posted 12-02-2020
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While job descriptions may not legally be required, they are important because they ensure compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws, clearly define job requirements and responsibilities, and provide protection. There are a compelling practical and legal reasons to request a well-written job description. The well-written job description A job description should paint a realistic picture of the tasks and responsibilities of a specific position. It can include job title, purpose, duties, and responsibilities, and include the qualifications, education, experience, and knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to ...
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VHMA to Serve on Commission for a Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Veterinary Profession

By VHMA Admin posted 11-23-2020
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The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), an association dedicated to enhancing and supporting veterinary management professionals through education, certification, resources, and networking, is pleased to announce that it will serve on the newly-launched Commission for a Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Veterinary Profession . Organized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), participants include leading veterinary organizations committed to acting as champions for social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusiveness (DEI). This unique collaboration is intended ...
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The Secret of Their Success

By VHMA Admin posted 11-22-2020
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Let’s talk (again) about forward booking. Getting staff onboard with this concept is essential but energizing the team to promote it as a vital component of the practice’s preventive pet healthcare strategy can be challenging. Forward booking simply means scheduling a patient’s next appointment while the pet owner and pet are finishing up their current visit. It is a concept that may work better in theory because clients---armed with endless reasons for why they cannot possibly schedule in advance--push back. To successfully convince clients of the merits of forward booking, it helps if staff is thick skinned and willing to persevere in promoting ...
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2020 has been exhausting!

By Michelle Gonzales-Bryant posted 11-22-2020
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2020 has been exhausting! We are all working hard to protect patients, clients, staff, and the practice but just when we think we’re starting to see a sliver of light, we’re hit with another challenge. Lately, colleagues have been concerned about the increase in client no-shows. In the context of this year’s world-shifting events, no-shows may seem like a mundane problem but left unaddressed, missed appointments can affect more than the practice’s bottom line. Not just an annoyance! No-shows---even if it’s only a few a week—impact a practice's processes and revenues. When clients bail and appointment slots remain unfilled, the practice ...
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Client No-Shows:  Frequency, Deposits and Fees

By VHMA Admin posted 11-21-2020
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Practices have always had to deal with a small number of clients who don’t show up for their appointments and don’t call to let the practice know they won’t be coming.  While annoying, it’s mostly happened so infrequently that it hasn’t caused real harm to the practice.  Over the last few years, some practices have reported an increasing number of no-shows, and with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, no-shows in some practices have increased dramatically.  This month’s Insiders’ Insights survey questions explore this topic. When asked:  “Have you had an increased number of clients no-show their appointment since the pandemic started?”  ...
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Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) Welcomes Business Alliance Member, VetSupport

By VHMA Admin posted 11-20-2020
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The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), an association dedicated to enhancing and supporting veterinary management professionals through education, certification, resources, and networking, announced that VetSupport, a veterinary consulting company committed to helping veterinary practices reach their full potential through a wide range of service, is its newest sponsor . Qualifying companies offering products and services that address the professional business needs of today’s veterinary practice are invited to participate in VHMA’s sponsorship programs. “VHMA members are committed to the health of their patients and success ...
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Five Veterinary Managers Tapped to Receive 2020 VMG-CVPM Scholarship

By VHMA Admin posted 11-12-2020
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VMG, Zoetis and the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) have collaborated to offer the VMG/CVPM scholarship program, which provide veterinary professionals an opportunity to attain the highest level of certification a veterinary manager can achieve---the Certified Veterinary Practice Management (CVPM) credential. The CVPM, which is offered through 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 2020 VMG-CVPM Scholarship recipients are: Kristin Balderson, Dekalb Animal ...
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Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) Welcomes Weave, Its Newest Sponsor

By VHMA Admin posted 11-06-2020
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The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), an association dedicated to enhancing and supporting veterinary management professionals through education, certification, resources, and networking, announced today that Weave, the complete business toolbox for service-based businesses and one of the fastest-growing companies in tech, has signed on as a VHMA sponsor. VHMA offers sponsorship programs to qualifying companies offering products and services that address the professional business needs of today’s veterinary practice. “ VHMA is pleased to welcome Weave. In today’s world, practice owners and managers are looking for ...
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Party in a different way

By Michelle Gonzales-Bryant posted 10-27-2020
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It’s October and visions of Pollyanna gift exchanges, potluck dinners, and candy canes---staples of the office holiday party---are dancing in my head! Recently, managers have questioned the viability of hosting office get togethers in the midst of a pandemic. Those inclined to move forward with party plans are curious about how to proceed responsibly. The social dilemma Many employees look forward to the holiday party because they can interact with the team in a relaxed, offsite setting. Employers view these events as opportunities to boost team morale, strengthen interpersonal relationships, show appreciation to the team, and reinforce ...
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Computer Support, Security and Hardware

By VHMA Admin posted 10-26-2020
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Computers are essential to today’s veterinary practice, yet most practices don’t have the internal expertise to support the systems or keep their data and networks safe.  This month’s survey questions explore how practices handle these critical tasks. Practice Information Management System (PIMS) The first two questions asked specifically about the practice’s Practice Information Management System (PIMS). While there are many choices, over 75% of the respondents reported using one of three systems—AVImark, Cornerstone, or ImproMed.  Additional PIMS listed in the other responses include VetWare/LogiVet, HVMS, WoofWare, AlisVet, DVM Manager, ...
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