Emerging Leaders Program

VHMA Emerging Leader Scholarship

About the Award

The VHMA Emerging Leader Scholarship program was created as an opportunity for future leaders in veterinary management to engage in the Association in meaningful ways contributing to their professional development and energizing the Association and future direction of the profession.

This program was specifically developed with the young, up-and-coming managers in mind. It is important for VHMA to meet the needs of the next generation to stay relevant. Young managers have different values, opinions, and expectations, and need opportunities to become engaged. 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.

Scholarship Details

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

  • VHMA Annual Meeting and Conference registration (each year).
  • Travel reimbursement for the Annual Conference (maximum $1,200 each year)
  • CVPM Preparation Workbook & Digital Flashcards
  • CVPM Certification Application and Testing Fees (the scholarship will cover up to two attempts to pass the CVPM examination)

Designation and Recognition as a VHMA Emerging Leader

  • Designation is a two-year term.
  • Scholarship recipients will be recognized for this significant achievement at the VHMA Annual Meeting and Conference

Criteria to Qualify 

  • Applicants must be a paid member of VHMA in good standing.
  • Applicants must meet current the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certification program qualifications. Applicants who have already taken and passed the CVPM examination do not qualify.
  • A completed CVPM application is required.
    1. Active employment as a practice manager for a minimum of three (3) years within the last seven (7) years.
    2. Eighteen (18) college semester hours in management-related courses.
    3. Forty-eight (48) hours of continuing education courses, seminars, etc., devoted explicitly to management.
    4. (4) letters of recommendation.
  • Applicants must be 40 years of age or younger at the time of the application.
  • Applicants must submit a 750-word management essay on the topic: “Your biggest challenge as a practice manager and how you overcame this challenge.”  VHMA reserves the right to publish the essay in a future Association newsletter.

Deadline to Apply 

Applications for the next Emerging Leader Scholarship awards are due on September 1 (annually). 

Essays must be submitted by the application deadline.

A complete CVPM application must be received by the application deadline (applications are complete after receipt of all supporting documentation and recommendation letters).

VHMA Emerging Leader Application

VHMA Emerging Leader Responsibilities

To build critical leadership skills and meaningfully “give back” to the Association during the two-year scholarship term, VHMA Emerging Leaders are expected to:

  • Serve as a member of a current VHMA standing committee, Task Force, or Panel. 
  • Attend the VHMA Annual Meeting and Conference annually (conference locations rotate throughout the U.S. and Canada).
  • Earn the CVPM certification designation (examination offered at testing locations throughout the U.S. and Canada).
  • Present an educational webinar, submit an article for publication in VHMA’s newsletter, or participate as a guest speaker on a VHMA podcast.
  • Serve as an ambassador to promote the program, the association, and the profession.