by Bobbie Stout | Blue Heron Consulting Understanding Veterinary Compensation Models (Without the Headache) Veterinary compensation models can sound complicated at first. Terms like ProSal, production, and negative accrual can make even experienced veterinarians pause for a second. But once you break them down, they’re actually pretty straightforward. Whether you're a practice owner designing pay [...]
by Anita Dennison, DVM, MS | Blue Heron Consulting As a veterinarian, you are the leader of the practice, whether you signed up for that role or not. Leadership grows from how you show up in every appointment, every interaction, every crisis, and every quiet moment between patients. Whether you’re a brand-new veterinarian or a [...]
by Jamie Hurst, RVT | Blue Heron Consulting The clock is already running. Every day a role sits open is a day of lost productivity, increased burden on remaining staff, and deferred revenue. The vacancy doesn’t pause—its cost accumulates in real time. Across the veterinary industry, the timeline to fill roles is already long. According [...]
by Kelli Kerwin, CVPM | Blue Heron Consulting In the modern veterinary landscape, the "Good Doctor" model—providing excellent care and assuming clients will stay—is facing a new reality. Research shows that client loyalty is beginning to fade as pet owners become more price-sensitive and digitally savvy. When we reach for the "discount" button to fill our [...]
by Jamie Hurst, RVT | Blue Heron Consulting Veterinary professionals don’t need a survey to tell them the profession is under strain — but sometimes data helps validate what many are already feeling. When the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) asked hospital leaders what keeps them up at night, the same concerns rose to the [...]
by Katey Keeton | Blue Heron Consulting It’s the end of the month, and you finally sit down to review your Profit & Loss statement. At first glance, things look encouraging. Revenue is strong. Expenses seem under control. The bottom line shows a profit. You feel a brief sense of relief—until you open your bank [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Clinician's Brief. Career planning encompasses exploring options that range from clinical practice (private or corporate) to academia (research or laboratory) and even to nontraditional entrepreneurial opportunities (laboratory or marketing companies, consulting groups). A clinician may choose to open a [...]
feat. Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting Practice culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the heartbeat of your hospital. When leadership styles, communication, or management systems fall behind, the impact shows up everywhere: morale dips, efficiency stalls, and profitability suffers. If you missed our live session, you’re not out of luck. You can still access our [...]
feat. Kate Crumley, DVM, MS | Blue Heron Consulting Watch the full webinar here! For many veterinary professionals, owning a practice is a long-held dream. But turning that dream into a sustainable, thriving business requires more than clinical excellence—it calls for strategic planning, financial foresight, and the right guidance along the way. Owning a veterinary [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting Running a veterinary practice is about more than providing excellent medical care—it’s also about building a sustainable business. Whether you’re preparing to buy, sell, or simply want to better understand the financial health of your hospital, knowing how practice valuations work is essential. A clear picture of your [...]
Riverside Animal Clinic Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Saginaw, MI Learn More
Caring Hands Animal Hospital Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Clinton, NC Learn More
Madison Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Madison, OH Learn More
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting How often do we read about or hear about the frustrations veterinary practice owners and practice managers have as a result of their inability to communicate with one another? We know communication is the key to success, yet we struggle with clear communication. Effective communication between the owner [...]
by Stith Keiser and Erin Keiser, DVM | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Vetsource. I knew I would be on the receiving end of a little (OK, a lot) of skepticism as a new grad. Especially as an obviously young, not-from-around-here-girl, practicing in a rural part of Kentucky. In [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in DVM360. Years ago, in college, I wanted to buy a horse, so I made the long drive from Kentucky to Wyoming to spend several days riding and roping a wide assortment. A roan quarter horse, Remington, eventually worked himself to [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in DVM360. It's 3 in the morning, cold, dark and rainy. I'm 3 or 4 years old, sitting in the backseat of my dad's truck riding out to watch him to deliver a calf or fix a prolapsed uterus. Fast-forward a [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Vetsource. I was driving home from a clinic earlier this week and heard on the radio that unemployment had reached an all-time low of about 3.7% nationally[1]. The AVMA has confirmed that it’s even lower in veterinary medicine at around [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Vetsource. Holiday festivities. Family. Friends. Good food. Year-end inventory counts. Annual budgeting. Performance reviews. To some, the above two lines may seem as polarizing as a lump of coal and a shiny new present. Fortunately, for veterinary managers and owners [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Vetsource. We hear a lot about the importance of practicing “best medicine.” Conceptually, many of us would agree that practicing best medicine is, in fact, best. Even so, the question lingers, how do we do it in the real world [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Vetsource. It takes a village to raise a child. If you’re a practice owner like me, your practice is your child (or at least one of them!). As hospital owners, we’ve honed the skills necessary to run a hospital and [...]
feat. Stith Keiser and Kate Crumley, DVM, MS | Blue Heron Consulting Watch the webinar here! A veterinary hospital can be a stressful environment to work in. Combine that with the incredible level of dedication and passion veterinary staff bring to their jobs, and it’s not difficult to understand why burnout and compassion fatigue are [...]
feat. Stith Keiser and Robert Sanchez (Digital Empathy) | Blue Heron Consulting In this webinar, Blue Heron Consulting and Digital Empathy dive deep into how independent veterinary practices can set themselves apart in a competitive market. Learn why positioning is crucial for attracting the right clients and team members, how to build an authentic unique [...]
A busy practice is good for business, but scheduling and workflow must be organized to positively impact Veterinarians, team members, and client satisfation. Click here to read the full article by Stith Keiser, which was featured by Veterinary Team Brief.
Stith Keiser has been asked to help teach AAHA’s “Veterinary Management Series” this coming fall (October). Learn More.
feat. Carissa Welsh | Blue Heron Consulting In this webinar hosted by Blue Heron Consulting and sponsored by WealthSouth, we dive into practical, data-informed strategies for attracting veterinary talent in a highly competitive job market. From writing compelling job ads to enhancing candidate connection and building standout benefits packages, this session is full of actionable [...]
feat. Carissa Welsh and Bobbie Stout | Blue Heron Consulting Blue Heron Consulting's Hiring Services team breaks down today's highly competitive veterinary hiring market. Learn when to manage hiring internally and when partnering with a recruiter can make the difference. This presentation covers current industry challenges, DIY hiring tips, best practices for job advertising and [...]
feat. Sydni Southwick | Blue Heron Consulting In this webinar from Blue Heron Consulting and PayJunction, Sydney Southwick and Jim Sperry team up to explore how empowering your veterinary staff can drive real results across your practice. From improving efficiency and decision-making to boosting morale and client satisfaction, they cover practical ways to elevate your [...]
feat. Stacy Gentry | Blue Heron Consulting In today’s world, where strong connections are vital, building meaningful relationships with your clients is essential for long-term success. This webinar focuses on helping you create authentic connections that go beyond routine transactions. We delve into the pivotal relationship between the client experience and the long-term loyalty it [...]
feat. Stith Keiser and Kate Crumley, DVM, MS | Blue Heron Consulting When you think of a leader, who comes to mind? A hospital director? A manager? Someone with a string of letters after their name? Sure, that’s one kind of leader. But in veterinary medicine, leadership doesn’t require a job title. In fact, some [...]
feat. Stith Keiser and Kate Crumley, DVM, MS | Blue Heron Consulting Every veterinary professional has had a day derailed by a tough client interaction or tension among colleagues. Whether it’s an aggressive remark, a misunderstanding, or a miscommunication rooted in stress, these moments can be draining. But with the right mindset, tools, and techniques, [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Today's Veterinary Business. Do you remember when you first wanted to be a veterinary professional? Most of you do, and that goal became a calling that carried you through school and to where you are today. Once out in the [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Clinician's Brief. I recently spent a few days onsite with the new owner of a small animal practice. We had also met the previous evening and over dinner discussed her primary concerns. She said the practice was extremely busy—a good [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Clinician's Brief. During my recent presentation on veterinary medicine compensation models, a Michigan State University student asked why 25% of production is used as a rule of thumb for compensation and benefits. “Why not a higher percentage?” he asked. I [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Today's Veterinary Business. As a consultant, I get nervous butterflies each time I prepare to review a veterinary hospital’s valuation with a friend or client. The video calls summarize the individual’s ability as a practice owner to build a legacy [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Today's Veterinary Business. I will never forget my first staff meeting as the new owner of a rural mixed-animal, one-doctor practice. To this day, I can still feel my nervousness and excitement. I vividly recall walking into the hospital’s small [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Today's Veterinary Business. I’ve been fortunate to wear various hats in my career — hospital manager, veterinary association business manager, adjunct faculty member, consultant and small animal practice owner. The first one, which I’ve never removed, is the now-weathered, dusty, [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Today's Veterinary Business. It’s 3 in the morning, cold, dark and rainy. I’m 3 or 4 years old and sitting in the backseat of my dad’s truck as he heads out to deliver another calf or fix another prolapsed uterus. [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting The waves lapped at a pink hued sand beach in the Bahamas while two actors, presumably grandparents, frolicked with their grandkids. The next scene focused on a similarly aged couple leaning over the balcony of a glistening river cruise ship with the Rhine, adorned with European architecture, drifting [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Today's Veterinary Business. I sat next to a registered veterinary technician at a recent continuing education meeting. As we chatted, she explained that she was no longer in practice. Her employer informed her that after over a decade of service, [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Today's Veterinary Business. If I could assign one word to the feeling around change in this hospital, it was “fear.” Not the kind of fear like that feeling of excitement or pre-game jitters, but the primordial, fight-or-flight type of fear. [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Today's Veterinary Business. I was speaking at a veterinary conference when an attendee, a midcareer owner of a multidoctor hospital, asked, “If you could identify one factor that separates average or even good hospitals from the great ones, what would [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Today's Veterinary Business. In case you missed my previous article, “Uneasy Street,” I examined the difference between flying by the seat of our pants as practice owners versus leveraging financial statements and key performance indicators (KPIs) to make educated, intentional [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Today's Veterinary Business. Daggers were shooting out of the eyes of the four veterinary hospital partners. You could have cut the tension with a butter knife. I was there as an impartial facilitator after the partners discovered through a professional [...]
by Stith Keiser | Blue Heron Consulting This article was written for and featured in Clinician's Brief. On the first day of fall football camp, athletes ranging from seasoned upperclassmen to wide-eyed freshmen were silent as they pondered the coach’s question: How do you want to be remembered? Our answer was important, the coach said, because [...]
Countryside Veterinary Service Mixed Animal Associate Veterinarian Taylorville, IL Learn More
Bowling Green Veterinary Emergency Clinic Emergency Associate Veterinarian Bowling Green, KY Learn More
Vista Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Falmouth, MA Learn More
Timonium Animal Hospital Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Timonium, MD Learn More
Gwinn-Sawyer Veterinary Clinic Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Gwinn, MI Learn More
La Crescent Animal Care Small Animal Associate Veterinarian La Crescent, MN Learn More
Bergen Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Teaneck, NJ Learn More
Pyramid Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Sparks, NV Learn More
Valley Veterinary Associates Mixed Animal Associate Veterinarian Unadilla, NY Learn More
Lewis Animal Hospital Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Cincinnati, OH Learn More
Countryside Animal Clinic Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Wauseon, OH Learn More
Tulsa SPCA Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Tulsa, OK Learn More
Florence Animal Hospital Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Florence, SC Learn More
Hartsville Animal Hospital Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Hartsville, SC Learn More
Southern Crossing Animal Hospital Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Memphis, TN Learn More
Hanging Rock Animal Hospital Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Roanoke, VA Learn More
Whistle Veterinary Clinic Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Anacortes, WA Learn More
Fredonia Veterinary Clinic Small or Mixed Animal Veterinarian Fredonia, WI Learn More
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Chiefland, FL Chiefland Animal Hospital Medical Director/SA Associate DVM Inspire Hospital, Client Education, VCPR focus
https://youtu.be/veP2qMYNJrU Unbridled – An Externship Experience Inspiring the Next Generation of Veterinary Practice Owners Thank you to our veterinary students, facilitators and sponsors for making Unbridled – An Externship Experience such a memorable experience! The externship, designed specifically for aspiring practice owners, was inspired by, and largely made possible through, collaboration with Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine [...]
On May 3, Rotarians Dr. Chuck Keiser and Dusty Bonner provided fellow Rotarians with an insider’s viewpoint of a local business start-up, Blue Heron Consulting. The company is an outgrowth of brainstorming ideas between college friends Stith Keiser and Dusty Bonner. Dusty joined the Marine Corps in response to 9/11. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, [...]
We are back for Part 2 of our Financial Wellness Series, and today we are diving into the specifics of practice ownership. Everything from how to find a practice, what to look for and how to get the money to buy in is on the table today as Stith Keiser rejoins us and gives us [...]
Almost a month under new ownership, a newly appointed Lead Veterinary Nurse—let’s call her Brittany—shared with me how impactful the experience had been on her definition of leadership. The new owner, a long-time associate at the practice, immediately shed the shackles of authoritative leadership and asked her team, regardless of title, to be leaders in [...]
Thus far in our series, we’ve explored the health of our practices and reviewed what financial statements and key performance indicators tell us about our medicine and management. Most recently, we examined leadership styles and how a better understanding of our own leadership preferences can help us be better stewards of our hospitals. Regardless of [...]
Have you ever considered owning a practice or buying into a practice, but the financial intimidation is keeping you from moving forward? You aren’t alone, and Stith Keiser is here to shed some light on the message of financial wellness with the help of First Financial Bank. Click here to listen.
It’s that time of year again. Often dreaded by both management and employees, how do we ensure that performance reviews bring value to both? What’s the right way to deliver constructive feedback and at what frequency? Consultant Stith Keiser delves into answering all these questions, and more! Click here to read the article.
Holiday festivities. Family. Friends. Good food. Year-end inventory counts. Annual budgeting. Performance reviews. To some, the above two lines may seem as polarizing as a lump of coal and a shiny new present. Fortunately, for veterinary managers and owners alike, exercises that many designate to the end of the year are in fact, when done [...]
The Business of Healing Pets, Trupanion’s blog series written by Stith Keiser of Blue Heron Consulting, takes a deep dive into the business side of animal medicine. Look for a new installment each month featuring topics such as business best practices, effective leadership, strategic hiring, and more. What’s Your Leadership Style? In our last post, we [...]
Missy Tasky, DVM will be presenting How to Establish a Collaborative Relationship between Practice Managers and Owners at the Hudson Valley Veterinary Management Group from 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM on Wednesday, November 28th. The seminar will provide attendees with a better understanding of the following: How to tie projects and desired changes to the practice owner’s vision, [...]
Stith Keiser will be featured in a FREE webinar on November 7, 2018 at 2 PM Eastern for VetMedTeam. Here's more information from VetMedTeam: Practicing medicine, leading the team, overseeing the beast that is human resources, bookkeeping, marketing, client experience, hospital operations, and the list goes on and on. This is the job description for [...]
Learn how identifying your reference ranges can help you achieve greater work/life balance, improved patient care, enhanced client experiences, and more. LEARN MORE
THE PROBLEM You are ready with ideas for improving the practice’s financial health, culture, and service offerings, but the team is cautious. After a few steps in the right direction, team members seem more interested in just getting through the day rather than working toward change. Change for the sake of change may be pointless, [...]
Veterinarians and veterinary staff are very important to us. They are our friends, colleagues, classmates, and caretakers of our beloved pets. Sadly, we are seeing a decrease in career satisfaction from industry professionals, which is leading to a high level of burnout. Sometimes this is caused by a lack of education around “soft skills” such [...]
This post originally appeared on Trupanion.com. The Business of Healing Pets, Trupanion’s new blog series written by Stith Keiser of Blue Heron Consulting, will take a deep dive into the business side of animal medicine. Look for a new installment each month featuring topics such as business best practices, effective leadership, strategic hiring, and more. Leadership: Where [...]
Blue Heron Consulting is happy to announce that we are now an approved provider by the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE), a program through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). As a RACE provider we will seek approval on our future CE programs, allowing you the opportunity to earn CE credits at [...]
Blue Heron Consulting presents our 3rd Annual Invitational, June 27 - 30, 2019. Whether or not you had the chance as a youngster to trek off to a summer camp, BHC’s 3rd Annual Invitation will capture all the best that summer camp represents. Satisfy your sense of adventure, capitalize on the opportunity to join current [...]
https://youtu.be/bFVW3QiEI8M Stith Keiser, BA, chief executive officer and director of client experience for Blue Heron Consulting, says no matter where your veterinary practice is located, all practices need three similar things: 1) staff, 2) patients and 3) clients. Whether your veterinary practice is located in a rural, metropolitan or suburban area, 90 percent of [...]
Blue Heron Consulting was one of a handful of local organizations to be accredited by the Better Business Bureau. We are honored to receive this accreditation and we congratulate all our fellow organizations being recognized for how they do business. NEW ACCREDITED BUSINESSES BEREA Precision Window Films DANVILLE Blue Heron Consulting Danville Paint Center FRANKFORT [...]
https://youtu.be/JmBVdpuPR6Y When buying a veterinary hospital, Stith Keiser, BA, chief executive officer and director of client experience for Blue Heron Consulting, says ask yourself these two things. Ask yourself why veterinary medicine, and why practice ownership? Keiser also stresses the importance of not being an island. You're never going to be the best at [...]
https://youtu.be/K3rRJG1JqQY Stith Keiser, BA, chief executive officer and director of client experience for Blue Heron Consulting, says there are two different paths that veterinary schools are on. Schools on one path have realized that the client is the student, schools on the other path have not. If we miss the interpersonal, communication, leadership skills, [...]
“Be the change in transforming the veterinary ecosystem” BHC’s efforts to improve the lives of veterinary practice owners, veterinary team members, clients and patients received a boost through joining the ranks of AAVMC, Trupanion, WVC, Not One More Vet, and others through the MightyVet movement. MightyVet’s mission is to nurture and evolve the veterinary ecosystem [...]
We are proud to announce that Stith Keiser has been named an adjunct faculty member at Washington State University. Chair of the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Robert H. Mealey, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM, commended Stith on his "excellent contributions to their teaching mission, especially the Diagnostic Challenges." We hope you will join us [...]
Part of BHC’s ‘why’ is improving the lives of pets through helping each of clients consistently practice their definition of progressive, ‘best medicine.’ In light of this mission, we’re proud to share that BHC’s Chief Medical Officer, Tracey Jensen, DVM, DABVP, CVA recently stepped in as Vice President of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.
Are you tired of conflict amongst employees? Do you dread having difficult conversations? Do you ever wonder why some people seem to have the knack for effective communication AND the ability to solve problems? We have the answers to those questions and more. “Unbridled Success,” the 2018 Blue Heron Invitational, will focus on the often-overlooked, [...]
Utilize a new set of KPIs to measure your practice’s thoroughness and quality of medicine. Explore what these ratios are, how to calculate them and why they're important. A recording of the original presentation can be found on the VHMA’s website or by clicking here.
For many practice owners, the new year marks a time for self-reflection, resolutions and planning for the upcoming year. In this series of Podcasts, listeners learn tips for building a healthy practice as well as laying the foundation, now, for a successful exit strategy. Click on each topic below to help make 2o18 the best [...]
Tis the season for Santa to be doing his thing, Delivering the goods and all of that sparkling bling. He’s off with Dasher, Dancer, Donner, and Blitzen on his heavily loaded sleigh, Prepared and ready for delivery; all for the big day. Christmas came early this year for the Hallett crew. As October rolled around [...]
Are you ready for Unbridled Success? Save the date for the 2017 BHC Invitational April 5th-8th in Danville, KY. RSVP to info@bhcteam.com.
https://youtu.be/5PLE14WOLqA Blue Heron Consulting hosted their First Annual BHC Invitational in Danville, KY March 24th -26th 2017
Forest Hills Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Wilmington, NC Learn More
Veterinary Associates of Manning Associate Veterinarian Manning, IA Learn More
Cascade Hospital for Animals Small Animal Associate Veterinarian Grand Rapids, MI Learn More
Friendship Animal Hospital Associate Veterinarian (Full-Time or Part-Time) – Small Animal Practice Pineville, NC Learn More
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