University of Georgia student wins national business honor

The 2024 National Business Aptitude Award from the Simmons Educational Fund (SEF) was awarded at the Veterinary Business Management Association's (VBMA) annual conference in January, held at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. The SEF is a non-profit organization established in 2002 that is committed to educating practitioners and students about the business of veterinary medicine.¹ The VBMA is a student-driven organization dedicated to advancing the veterinary profession through business knowledge, networking opportunities, and empowering students to achieve their personal and professional goals.²

The national honor awarded the winner $30,000, SEF's most substantial annual student prize. The check was handed over by Carly Watson Tobler, chief operating officer of Simmons & Associates, to Max Wunsche, a third-year student at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Veterinary Medicine. According to a news release, Wunsche earned the recognition based on his outstanding case study submission, along with notable achievements in academics, leadership, and the professional realm.¹

Carly Watson Tobler, chief operating officer, presents the 2024 SEF Business Aptitude Award to Max Wunsche. (Photo courtesy of Simmons & Associates)

“Max Wunsche is an extremely impressive veterinary student. The case study he submitted demonstrated an excellent understanding of the challenges and opportunities of practice management,” said Watson Tobler in the release. “He represents the best of the best in veterinary students.”¹

Wunsche is originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and received his undergraduate degree from Clemson University. While a veterinary student at UGA, Wunsche held the presidential responsibility of the university’s VBMA chapter and previously served as the treasurer of his College of Veterinary Medicine class.¹

“I am honored to be the recipient of the SEF Business Aptitude Award. I have a keen interest in entrepreneurial opportunities in veterinary medicine and am grateful that the Simmons Educational Fund incentivizes exploring that interest through their annual case study,” said Wunsche. “Working on the case study greatly bolstered my confidence in my business knowledge. I am thrilled my submission was selected as this year’s winner as this award will go a long way in helping me achieve my goals.”¹

SEF’s annual award encourages submissions from veterinary students nationwide who stand out for their demonstrated enthusiasm and proficiency in the pursuit of business excellence within veterinary medicine. A panel of experts from Simmons & Associates assesses the submissions and chooses a deserving winner. Historically, only third-year veterinary students were eligible to apply for the award, however, SEF would like to expand the eligibility criteria to include more excellent veterinary students who will be currently enrolled in veterinary school through January 2025.¹

“As someone who has owned and operated a veterinary practice, I know how important it is for veterinarians to be knowledgeable and skilled in both medicine and business management,” said SEF board member David King, DVM. “Max Wunsche’s case study showed a strong understanding of both. He is a worthy winner of the SEF’s National Business Aptitude Award.”¹

References

1. Simmons Educational Fund names UGA student the winner of the National Business Aptitude Award. News release. Simmons & Associates. February 1, 2024. Accessed February 19, 2024. https://simmonsinc.com/sef-2024-award-winner/
2. Our mission. Veterinary Business Management Association. Accessed February 19, 2024. https://vbma.biz/