VHMA announces 2023 President Award recipient

The Veterinary Hospital Manager Association (VHMA) shared that Karen E. Felsted, CPA, MS, DVM, CVPM, CVA, is its 2023 President’s Award winner. Felsted was announced the winner at the VHMA’s Annual Conference, Connect & Collaborate, in Glendale, Arizona this past September. This award is given to a VHMA member in celebration of their contributions to positive change and enhancing the standing of the association.

Karen E. Felsted, CPA, MS, DVM, CVPM, CVA (Image courtesy of VHMA)

“It’s nice to be recognized for what you do and particularly by an organization that I value so much,” expressed Felsted, founder and president of PantheraT Veterinary Management Consulting, in an organizational release.¹ “I think VHMA is a truly tremendous group. It has amazing leadership, a dedicated membership and has spent so much time and effort on really interesting projects that impact the profession a great deal.”

According to the release,¹ Felsted joined VHMA over 20 years ago and contributes to its column “Insiders’ Insight” each month where she discusses industry trends and data impacting the veterinary industry as well as being involved in pricing projects for veterinary medicine. Felsted shared that one of her favorite memories was when she earned her certified veterinary practice manager (CVPM) and then went on to serve on the CVPM board for multiple years.

“I bounced around a little bit, and tried some different things before I ended up doing what I'm doing now. And for me, I found the perfect environment. I like having my own company. It certainly has its challenges at times, but I love the variety of the work and being able to dictate what it is that I want to do,” said Felsted.¹

Felsted graduated from Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and worked as a small animal veterinarian after graduating. She then began to consult on the side before fully transitioning to management and consulting. Prior to her career in veterinary medicine, Felsted graduated from the University of Texas as an accountant and worked as a CPA at Ernest & Young.

For anyone who is entering the industry, Felsted had this advice, “Find your home, find your passion, and find a place that works for you.”

Reference

VHMA Honors Dr. Karen E. Felsted with 2023 President’s Award. News release. Veterinary Hospital Manager Association. October 10, 2023. Accessed October 26, 2023. https://www.vhma.org/blogs/vhma-admin/2023/10/09/vhma-honors-dr-karen-e-felsted-with-2023-president