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Practice management program
draws attendees from near and far

Dean Glen Hoffsis with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital client services manager Carol Olea, left, and technician manager Luci Morano.

By Sarah Carey

The 11^th annual Practice Management and Communications Conference, sponsored by and held at the UF Veterinary Hospitals on Oct. 22, drew participants from as far away as New Jersey.

Many who attended raved about this year’s program, including Jackie Clark, a receptionist with North Florida Neurology, a specialty practice in Orange Park, Fla.

“This of the best conferences you guys put on,” Clark said. “I have attended four or five of these types of conferences and mostly the discussion is aimed at regular practices, but I’m from a specialty clinic and I felt the offerings at UF this year were relevant to all of us.”

Clark added, “Even though what we do is specialized, no one has ever emphasized the importance of the front desk. It really does empower you to make that first impression.”

Karyn Gavzer, the featured speaker, presented a series of seminars relating to how to improve communications and improve client satisfaction and loyalty.

Tami Weldon of Air Animal Inc.,Tampa; Chelsea Twombly of Shamrock Veterinary Clinic, Cross City, Fla.; Pattie Barlow of Air Animal, Inc., Tampa; and program speaker Karyn Gavzer during a break in the program.

She also discussed the findings of a recent Bayer-Brakke-NCVEI Usage study that affirmed a nationwide, long-term decline in the number of companion animal patient visits. Gavzer talked about how to understand the findings of this study and offered  new, practical ideas for attracting new clients and growing the market for veterinary services.

“I’m blown away by the school,” said Gavzer during a break, looking around her at the lobby of the new UF Small Animal Hospital. “I never expected anything like this.”

Among the participants were Carol Olea, client services manager, and Luci Morano, LVT, CVT, technician manager at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, which offers emergency and specialty veterinary care in Tinton Falls, N.J.