Veterinary Management Institute

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Veterinary Management Institute (VMI) is a comprehensive graduate-level management education program specifically for veterinary professionals. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and Purdue University, two proactive leaders in veterinary management education, began developing the program in 1988, making it the first veterinary management program in the United States. VMI's first module was offered in September 1990 and was embraced by the veterinary community. What's more, the program has had continued success, and recently boasted our best attendance ever.

VMI encompasses four modules, which are three days each, over the course of approximately 18 months. Professors from Purdue's prestigious Krannert Graduate School of Management and guest faculty instruct VMI courses with the realities and nuances of veterinary practice management in mind.

VMI is a non-degree “mini-MBA” program, designed to provide cutting-edge business content tailored to the specific needs and time constraints of the veterinary profession. Its logical and comprehensive sequence focuses first on Human Resource Management (the people issues in your practice), then Financial Management (to ensure the profitability of your practice), followed by Marketing Management (the matching of clients to services in your practice) and finally, Strategic Thinking (to ensure the continued success and growth of your practice).

Highlights

• Builds analytical skills that have practical application to veterinary practice decision-making
• Real-world veterinary business case presentations, used extensively as an instructional vehicle, reinforce the program's applied orientation
• Addresses the issues made evident in the AVMA/AAHA/AAVMC Mega Study, such as how veterinarians' self-perception of their abilities limits economic growth of the profession and how veterinarians' incomes lag behind similar professions
• Provides frequent opportunities for productive interaction with practitioners and practice team decision-makers who represent a broad range of veterinary businesses and geographic locations
• Accommodates the unique business needs of a practice team with a convenient weekend schedule that minimizes time away from the practice
• Awards program participants with 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for completion of each module. Participants who complete all four modules in the program receive the Certificate in Veterinary Practice Administration presented jointly by AAHA and Purdue University.
• Practices that send teams of two or more receive a reduced team rate

Who Should Attend
VMI is uniquely designed for the veterinarian or practice manager with business decision-making responsibility who seeks improved profitability, a competitive advantage and long-term success.

It is ideal for those interested in expanding the scope and quality of services offered. Although prior formal training in management is not assumed in the program course design, individuals with such training will find the courses both broadening and challenging.

Schedule

Series 17

• Module 1 - Human Resources - COMPLETED
• Module 2 - Financial Management - COMPLETED
• Module 3 - Marketing Management - COMPLETED
• Module 4 - Strategic Thinking - COMPLETED

Series 18

• Module 1 - Human Resources - COMPLETED
• Module 2 - Financial Management - COMPLETED
• Module 3 - Marketing Management - November 6-9, 2008
• Module 4 - Strategic Thinking - February 26-March 1, 2009

Series 19

• Module 1 - Human Resources – September 25-28, 2008
• Module 2 - Financial Management – February 5-8, 2009
• Module 3 - Marketing Management – October 29-November 1, 2009
• Module 4 - Strategic Thinking – February 25-28, 2010

Series 20

• Module 1 - Human Resources – August 27-30, 2009
• Module 2 - Financial Management – January 29-31, 2010
• Module 3 - Marketing Management – October 15-17, 2010
• Module 4 - Strategic Thinking – March 3-6, 2011

Please check dates with AAHA prior to making travel arrangements in case there is a schedule change.

Contacts

AAHA Member Service Center
Please contact our AAHA Member Service Center if you have any questions about VMI or would like to speak directly with a VMI attendee or graduate.

800/883-6301
303/986-2800

Purdue University
Please visit the Purdue website for more information on VMI, including the faculty and the VMI facilities, which are comfortable arena-style amphitheather classrooms with stat-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities.

"Going to VMI was a great experience. Because I am new to the medical profession it was a wonderful opportunity to meet colleagues. It also gave me an important perspective on the issues that the owners of my hospital experience. The classes provided me with good resources for bridging the expectations of the owners with those of the staff."
- Paula Green, Hospital Manager, Pet Crossing Animal Hospital & Dental Clinic