Jennings, Michael

Weissman, Deirdre

English

Kosmopolis

The Business of Veterinary Medicine: VBMA Teaches Students It’s Not Dog Eat Dog

ScholarlyCommons@Penn

Bellwether MagazineVolume 1Number 66 Spring 2007 Article 74-1-2007The Business of Veterinary Medicine: VBMATeaches Students It’s Not Dog Eat DogMichael JenningsUniversity of PennsylvaniaDeirdre WeissmanUniversity of PennsylvaniaThis paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. http://repository.upenn.edu/bellwether/vol1/iss66/7For more information, please contact libraryrepository@pobox.upenn.edu.WWW.VET.UPENN.EDU/BELLWETHER 7TheVeterinary Business ManagementAssociation (VBMA) is a student-drivenorganization dedicated to advancing the vet-erinary profession through increasing busi-ness knowledge, creating networking oppor-tunities and empowering students to achieve their personaland professional goals.TheVBMA was created in 2002 byPennVet students who expanded it into a national organi-zation currently boasting 22 chapters at veterinary schoolsacross the country.TheVBMA organizes speaker eventsdesigned to open students’ eyes to those aspects of veteri-nary medicine that get little attention in veterinary schoolyet play a large role in a veterinarian’s daily life, such ascommunication, team building, leadership, personal finan-cial skills, key practice performance indicators, accountingskills, marketing and branding, to name a few.In 2003, the PennVBMA developed a BusinessCertificate Program soon endorsed by the School. Sixtypercent of PennVet students are currently enrolled in thePennVet–VBMA Business Certificate Program, payingadditional tuition and sacrificing precious evenings andweekends to be educated by very sought-after speakers,which have included Dr. JimWilson (founder of PriorityVeterinary Management Consultants), Shawn McVey(CEO of Eye Care for Animals), Gary Glassman (a CPAwho counsels veterinarians in financial matters) and Dr.Gary Burge (owner of the National PetCare Centers). In2005, the PennVBMA also created the CommerceBank–VBMA Speaker Series, which hosts successful busi-ness visionaries from outside the veterinary industry suchas Richard Teerlink, former chairman of Harley-Davidson,and Jim Rudolph, CEO of Rita’sWater Ice, to shed lighton how they revolutionized their industry and to inspireveterinary students to think about how we can do thesame for our profession.In our monthly lunch talks, theVBMA has worked tobring relevant topics to the PennVet community.Highlights of the past year included a presentation byrenowned dog trainer Brian Kilcommons to more than160 students about animal behavior and the effect of theanimal–human bond on veterinarians.Through personalanecdotes, examples and advice, he addressed how petbehavior problems will be a major issue we deal with asveterinarians, not only with the potential to damage therelationship among client, pet and veterinarian, but alsonegatively affect the practice’s bottom line. Mr.Kilcommons shared training tips on how to handle “prob-lem” animals, and how handling behavior concerns earlywith clients can more than 80 students returned (somewith their animals) for a live demonstration showing howto handle animals to nurture the relationship among vet-erinarian, pet and client.In addition, earlier this spring,Dr. Anthony DeCarlo,V’82, CEO of Red BankVeterinary Hospital, spoke to afull house on “Medicine is the Easy Part,” during whichhe shared insights about challenges he faced starting andbuilding his practice into the country’s largest privatelyowned veterinary hospital. He stressed quality care ofpatients and client satisfaction; as those in a service indus-try, it’s crucial for veterinarians to always put the patientand owner first. He invigorated students with his storiesand approaches to business, and provided many useful tipson being a smart manager and great leader by hiring,keeping and supporting great employees. Dr. DeCarlo’scommitment to helping the next generation of veterinari-ans was evident, and theVBMA looks forward to welcom-ing him back.The PennVBMA is already busy making plans for nextyear, continuing its goal of finding unique ways to educateand prepare the next generation of veterinarians so thatwe can be successful and the profession can keep thriving.The Business of Veterinary MedicineVBMATeaches Students It’s Not Dog Eat DogBY MICHAEL JENNINGS, V ’10 , AND DEIRDRE WEISSMAN, V’07Dr.Tony DeCarlo,V'82, shares his insights on running a veterinary clinicwith Penn Vet students.e d u c a t i o n e x t r a

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The Business of Veterinary Medicine: VBMA Teaches Students It’s Not Dog Eat Dog

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