Emerging Leaders Program

VHMA Emerging Leader Scholarship

Scholarship Award

The VHMA Emerging Leader Scholarship program is intended to create an opportunity for the next generation of veterinary management professionals to become engaged in the association in meaningful ways that contribute to their professional growth, as well as energizes the association with new leaders and future direction of the profession.

This program was specifically developed with the youngest generation of managers in mind. As an association, we need to ensure that we are meeting the needs of next-generation if we wish to stay relevant, and the youngest generation needs opportunities to become engaged without fear. As you know, the next generation has different values, opinions, and expectations. This program was developed in an attempt to bridge those gaps.

The Emerging Leader Scholarship program will identify two (2) veterinary management professionals annually, who have exhibited the potential for growth in their practice and within the association.

VHMA Emerging Leader Application

$2,500 scholarship (maximum, per year to be used toward the following):

  • VHMA Annual Meeting and Conference registration and travel (max of $1,200 toward travel)
  • CVPM Certification - application/testing (scholarship covers up to two attempts to sit for the CVPM)
  • CVPM Preparation Workbook & Digital Flashcards

Criteria to Participate 

  1. Must meet current CVPM Certification program qualifications (a completed CVPM application is required):
    • Active employment as a practice manager for a minimum of three (3) years within the last seven (7)
    • Eighteen (18) college semester hours in management related courses
    • Forty-eight (48) hours of continuing education courses, seminars, etc., specifically devoted to management
    • (4) letters of recommendation
  2. Candidates must be 40 or under at the time of the application.
  3. Applicant must be a paid VHMA member in good standing.

As a part of the application process, program candidates will submit a management article (750 word limit) (article subject: Tell us about your biggest challenge as a practice manager and how you over came it.). The committee will use the article as a part of the selection process for identifying the five emerging leaders. VHMA reserves the right to later publish the article in the association newsletter.

Individuals who have already taken and passed the CVPM examination do not qualify. 

Emerging Leader Scholarship Application

The VHMA Emerging Leader Scholarship program is intended to create an opportunity for new veterinary management professionals to become engaged in the association in meaningful ways that contribute to their professional growth, as well as energizes the association with new leaders and future direction of the profession.

The Emerging Leader Scholarship program will identify two (2) veterinary management professionals, who have exhibited the potential for growth in their practice and within the association.

The designation is a two-year term.

To qualify candidates must:

  1. Be a paid VHMA member in good standing;

  2. Be 40 years of age or under at the time of the application;

  3. Must meet the CVPM Certification program qualifications (submission of the completed CVPM application is required);

  4. Submit a 750-word management article (article subject: Tell us about your biggest challenge as a practice manager and how you overcame it.).

Applications for the next Emerging Leader Scholarship awards is September 1. Your complete CVPM application and 750-word management article must also be completed and submitted by this date. The CVPM application is considered complete when all supporting documentation and recommendation letters have been received.

VHMA Emerging Leader Responsibilities

Because this designation is intended to foster future leaders in the association and the profession, it is expected that the VHMA Emerging Leader “gives back” in the following ways throughout their two year tenure:

  • Serve as a member of a current VHMA standing committee. 
  • Serve as a member of the Emerging Leaders Focus Group. 
  • Attend the VHMA Annual Meeting and Conference annually.
  • Present an educational Webinar OR submit an article for publication in the VHMA’s Practice Pulse newsletter on a topic of expertise.
  • Serve as an ambassador to promote the program, the association, and the profession.
  • Earn the CVPM certification designation.