Wisconsin Veterinary
Practice Managers Assoc.
Promoting Excellence
In Veterinary Leadership
Our Board
An Important Message from the WVPMA Board
Dear WVPMA Members,
It is with sincere pleasure that we welcome you to the 2024 Wisconsin Veterinary Practice Managers Association.
We are incredibly pleased to have our members join us this year. Whether you are a returning member or a new member, we are looking forward to offering you a tremendous year of professionalism, individual growth and knowledge, and strengthened communication with your colleagues. We encourage member participation throughout the entire year.
Members can participate in monthly roundtables held virtually, communication through groups.io, attendance at our spring and fall meetings, as well as joining the WVPMA executive board. Member participation is a huge piece to the success of the WVPMA. Please reach out to any one of the board members to receive a little encouragement in participating in any or all of these processes.
We will have two conferences again this year. One in the spring and the other in the fall. The spring date, April 26, 2024, will be held in Fond du Lac. Fall meeting is still being planned. Look for information on the spring conference on the meetings / events page.
Welcome once again, and we look forward to your participation and collaborating with you this year.
Sincerely,
WVPMA Executive Board
Lori, Anna, Sarah, Sandy, Diana, Jeff
President - Lori Jensen, Practice Manager
North Shore Animal Hospital, Caledonia
I have worked at North Shore Animal Hospital in Caledonia for more than 40 years. I was hired as the morning kennel cleaner the summer I graduated from High School and have been there ever since. Over the years I have done many jobs in the hospital, including caring for and participating in research on miniature swine as well as other lab animals in a local dermal research laboratory that NSAH provided veterinary oversight for. That job earned me the nickname the Pig Lady and is where I met my husband who was a security guard at the facility.
I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to buy into North Shore Animal Hospital about 12 years ago. I enjoy my job as the Practice Manager and am lucky enough to have an incredible group of people to work with. I'm excited that my oldest daughter is in Veterinary Technician School and will soon be a CVT at our hospital.
As a founding member of the WVPMA, I am grateful for all the time and energy previous board members and members at large have contributed to this organization. I have received so much support and advice from WVPMA members and speakers over the years and am very glad to be back on the board to pass it on to others.
Past President - Anna Schilz, Hospital Director
Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center (WVRC), Waukesha
Anna's career in animal health started long ago. In high school, she worked as an animal caretaker at a local shelter. When she went off to college, she took a position as a vet tech and continued teaching throughout school. After graduation, she ended up at an emergency/specialty hospital as a technician manager and eventually worked her way up to hospital director. She loves being part of a passionate team that provides high quality patient and client care.
President Elect - Sarah Zurmond CVT, CCRP, CVPM
Country Hills Pet Hospital, Eden
Sarah graduated from Madison Area Technical College as a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2009 and began working at Country Hills Pet Hospital immediately after graduating. In December 2014, Sarah became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee. In 2015 Sarah took on the role of Staff Manager and in November of 2023 Sarah passed the exam to be a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM). Sarah enjoys the growth and community the WVPMA offers and is excited to help other managers in Wisconsin.
Secretary - Sandy Kemper, Practice Manager
Oak View Veterinary Hospital, Green Bay
I am passionate about the veterinary field and feel fortunate to work alongside the truly amazing team at Oak View Veterinary Hospital. After my first position in a veterinary practice, I knew in my heart, that this would be a lifelong career for me. I enjoy the long-term bonds that are created with clients and their pets. Working in a practice that treats each patient as an individual and with such care, is so rewarding. I am pictured here with Jack, our clinic cat. He was a rescue and has been a light in my EVERY day. He shares my desk with me and gives me sweet purrs throughout each day.
I have been a member of the WVPMA since 2002 and I am grateful for all of the career development and peer support that the WVPMA has provided to me over the years. This organization is so welcoming, supportive and highly valuable to our specific role as veterinary practice managers.
The WVPMA is of such importance to me, I became a member of the Executive Board and served from 2012-2016 and again returned to serve another term in 2024.
I look forward to all of the great support that this organization will continue to bring to veterinary practice managers and the veterinary community!
Treasurer - Diana Moreau, Practice Manager
Critter Care Animal Clinic, Sheboygan
I have been Practice Manager for a little over two years but have an extensive background in Operations Management. After 25 years at my prior company, I accepted an invitation to join my Veterinarian at her Practice. I have been a client of theirs since 2011, bringing many of my fosters/foster fails from Basset Buddies of Wisconsin & Minnesota, among other rescues, for care. My husband and I currently have 2 bassets, 2 long hair dachshunds, 1 yellow lab, 2 indoor cats and 3 outdoor cats. Our kids are grown, so our furry friends get all our attention.
After years of managing in a much different environment, I am faced with new and exciting challenges. I am grateful to have the Practice Manager group to guide me when I need a helping hand outside of my skills.
Membership Chair - Jeff Gorr, Practice Manager
Wausau Animal Hospital, Wausau
I have been a Practice Manager since 2014. My background and degree are in computer science. I have 3 dogs, 2 cats, leopard geckos, and fish. I have a wife who is smarter than I am, and 2 boys who think they are. I like to fish, play basketball and listen to hard rock.
As you well know, the rapid pace in which the veterinary profession is changing requires devoted attention to detail in order to succeed. Today's practice owner does not always have the time to maintain, promote and enhance the evolution of the practice. As a result, a practice manager is enlisted to take on the responsibility of managing the practice.
The position of veterinary practice manager is typically filled by promoting from within the practice or by hiring a qualified individual. This person will take on a variety of responsibilities from human resource management and organizational leadership to practice budgeting and financial management.
