- Historic recognition: Susie Crockett is the first Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) selected for The Bridge Club’s ICON Award.
- Industry leadership: Crockett has more than 25 years of experience across general, specialty, emergency and low-cost veterinary care.
- Professional service: She has served on the CVPM Board and currently sits on the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) Board of Directors.
- Mentorship and education: Her contributions include professional certification development, national speaking engagements and participation in the AVMA’s Journey for Teams initiative.
- Award celebration: Crockett will be honored Jan. 16, 2027, in Orlando, Florida, during The Bridge Club’s annual ICON celebration in conjunction with VMX 2027.
The Bridge Club has selected veterinary practice management leader Susie Crockett, BS, CVPM, as its 2027 ICON Award recipient, marking the first time a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager has received the honor.
Crockett is being recognized for more than 25 years of leadership, mentorship and service to veterinary medicine, including efforts to strengthen veterinary teams, improve hospital operations and advance professional development.
The recognition also highlights the increasingly important role veterinary practice managers play in supporting workplace culture, operational performance and the delivery of veterinary care.
A Career Dedicated to Veterinary Practice Leadership
Crockett’s career spans general practice, low-cost veterinary care, referral hospitals, specialty medicine and emergency services.
Certified as a Veterinary Practice Manager since 2009, she served more than a decade on the CVPM Board and currently serves on the VHMA Board of Directors. She has also contributed to numerous industry committees and task forces.
For more than a decade, Crockett has been a nationally recognized speaker on leadership, workplace culture, communication and professional development. Her work includes helping develop professional certifications, contributing to industry publications and participating in the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Journey for Teams initiative.
Her operational experience includes leading veterinary hospitals through construction projects, technology transitions, revenue improvement initiatives and organizational change.
Crockett remains active in veterinary practice and continues to mentor emerging leaders, sharing practical strategies for building effective teams and successful hospital operations.
Recognizing the Impact of Practice Managers
The Bridge Club said Crockett’s selection reflects the essential contributions of practice managers, whose leadership often extends beyond traditional administrative responsibilities.
“Practice managers are the backbone of veterinary medicine,” said Catherine Haskins, founder and CEO of The Bridge Club. “They build teams, shape culture, solve problems, and create the environments that make exceptional veterinary care possible.”
Haskins said Crockett’s dedication to mentoring colleagues and strengthening the profession embodies the lasting impact the ICON Award was established to recognize.
Theresa Cosper-Roberts, MA, RVT, CVPM, ACVE (DE), chief veterinary technician for The Bridge Club, also emphasized the importance of recognizing leadership that often takes place behind the scenes.
“Behind every healthy culture, engaged team, and exceptional client experience is someone doing the often-unseen work of leadership,” Cosper-Roberts said.
She added that recognizing Crockett brings attention to the influence of Certified Veterinary Practice Managers and their role in shaping the future of veterinary medicine.
An Award Celebrating Veterinary Industry Leadership
Established in 2018, The Bridge Club ICON Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, innovation and professional contributions have made a lasting impact on veterinary medicine.
Previous recipients have represented multiple areas of the profession, including veterinary nursing, education, industry leadership and innovation.
The 2026 honoree, Harold Davis, BA, RVT, VTS (Emergency & Critical Care, Anesthesia & Analgesia), was recognized for his pioneering contributions to veterinary nursing and technician advancement.
The 2027 selection process included nominations from across the veterinary profession, recommendations from previous ICON recipients and participation by corporate sponsors Blue Buffalo and the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC).
Celebration Scheduled During VMX 2027
Crockett will be formally recognized Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027, at The Bridge Club’s annual ICON celebration in Orlando, Florida, held in conjunction with VMX 2027.
The event will bring together veterinary professionals and industry leaders to celebrate Crockett’s career and recognize the broader contributions of veterinary practice management professionals.
Event information and ticket details are available at The Bridge Club.
Information sourced from The Bridge Club’s press release.
