Dear Friends and Colleagues,
On September 26, 2019, I was instated as President of the VHMA, an association that I have been a dedicated member of for 13 years. It is an honor to serve as President of an association conserved by many to be the heart and voice of practice management. Throughout my career, VHMA has connected me to developments, advances, and reforms in the veterinary industry and has helped me foster relationships with fellow managers and industry leaders who have influenced my personal and professional growth.
More than 27 years ago, I entered the veterinary field as a kennel attendant while attending Veterinary Technician school at night. After years of enjoying different roles throughout the hospital such as kennel, technician and receptionist, I decided that I wanted to focus on the operations and management side of the hospital. Like many of my peers, I was searching for a way to stay on course professionally and develop interpersonal relationships and skills that would help me become a knowledgeable and adept professional. VHMA was an invaluable resource along with an amazing mentor. I used the resources and opportunities it offered to navigate my growth as a practice manager and build competence, understanding, and connections.
As President, I will work with the Board of Directors and VHMA members to continue to develop the resources and opportunities that so many of our members find indispensable to career advancement. The VHMA will also continue to be the voice of the profession and advocate for practice managers to ensure that the vital role they play in the practice is recognized and understood by owners.
I look forward to working with the newly-elected VHMA Board of Directors and extend congratulations to a talented and accomplished group of professionals: Vice President Jessica Speas, CVPM, SPHR-CA, SHRM-SCP; Secretary Leslie Boudreau, BASVT, RVTg, CVPM, PHR, PHRca; Treasurer Scott Zimmerman, BFA, CVPM; Director Karli Carter, CVPM; Director Kim Drummond, BSN, CVPM; Director Elizabeth Fritzler, DVM, CVPM; Director Joanne Graham, CVPM, SHRM-CP; Past President: Jim Nash, MHA, CVPM. To paraphrase Star Trek’s Captain Kirk, the board's combined experience, knowledge, and creativity will take VHMA where the association has not gone before! The journey will also be fueled by the passion we share for veterinary management and the VHMA.
VHMA is an association that thrives because of the strong commitment to volunteerism exhibited by the board and our members. It’s been said that people feel a stronger connection to an association or organization when they help to build it. Many members have helped to build VHMA’s through their volunteer efforts: they serve on boards, they engage in MemberConnect, they write articles, they volunteer as speakers, they mentor, and much more. I extend my sincere appreciation to those who have invested their time and energy in VHMA. I also encourage those who haven’t waded into the volunteer pool to get their feet wet. I guarantee you that once you try it, you will want to take the plunge!
As President, I hope to strengthen member commitment and engagement in VHMA. Please let me or the board know if you have suggestions for volunteer opportunities or are searching for a way to participate in the organization. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
I look forward to working with all of you and thank you for your support. VHMA is unlike any other organization. The camaraderie, passion and pride members exhibit is contagious. Even those who are not VHMA members get caught up in the spirit. My daughters and husband accompanied me to the Annual Membership Meeting in Arizona. At the conclusion of the meeting, even my young daughters were happy to sport the new VHMA pins on their dresses because they, like most of us in the room, were swept up in the positivity and excitement that characterizes VHMA!
Cheers!
Michelle Gonzales-Bryant, CVPM
VHMA President