- The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) has named Bianca Alfonso its 2026 Practice Manager of the Year.
- Alfonso helped lead Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center’s growth from a startup practice to a multi-location veterinary organization.
- Her leadership focused on mentorship, employee development, cross-training, and internal career advancement.
- Green Dog expanded from a dental-focused practice into a full-service outpatient specialty referral network under her tenure.
- Alfonso began her veterinary career as a client service representative and advanced into an executive leadership role over 11 years.
- She will be recognized at the VHMA 2026 Annual Meeting and Conference in Reno, Nevada.
The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) has named Bianca Alfonso, administrative director of Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center, the recipient of its 2026 Practice Manager of the Year (PMOY) Award, recognizing her leadership in veterinary practice management and organizational growth.
The annual award honors veterinary management professionals who have transformed their practices through operational excellence, team development, and improvements that enhance both patient care and business performance.
“Bianca Alfonso exemplifies the transformative leadership this award was designed to recognize,” said Christine Q. Shupe, CAE, executive director of VHMA. “Her commitment to mentorship, professional development, and building a culture where team members can thrive has helped fuel remarkable organizational growth while strengthening patient care and team engagement.”
From Startup Employee to Executive Leader
Alfonso joined Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center in 2015 as a client service representative shortly after relocating from Miami to Los Angeles. With no previous veterinary industry experience, she immersed herself in learning the business and steadily advanced through the organization over the next decade.
During her tenure, Green Dog expanded from a six-person startup practice in Sherman Oaks, California, into a multi-location veterinary organization with hospitals in Sherman Oaks, Santa Monica, Venice, and Van Nuys.
The organization also broadened its clinical offerings, evolving from a dental-focused practice into a full-service outpatient specialty referral hospital providing general practice, urgent care, advanced dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, cardiology, internal medicine, advanced imaging, and exotic animal care.
“We’ve always embraced a staff-first philosophy,” Alfonso said. “Green Dog has been a true testament to what can be achieved when team members feel valued, supported, and empowered.”
Building Future Leaders
A key component of Alfonso’s leadership approach has been developing talent from within the organization. Rather than relying exclusively on outside recruitment, she focused on identifying employee potential and creating pathways for advancement through mentorship, education, and leadership development.
According to Green Dog leadership, multiple employees who began in entry-level positions have advanced into management and leadership roles through programs and support initiatives Alfonso helped establish.
Her efforts also helped foster a collaborative workplace culture built around cross-training, teamwork, employee feedback, and professional growth opportunities.
“What has always stood out about Bianca is her ability to make people feel heard, valued, and respected,” said Gladys Juliette, chief communications officer at Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center. “She leads with professionalism, empathy, and integrity.”
Supporting Veterinary Education
Alfonso’s commitment to professional development extends beyond Green Dog’s workforce. The organization maintains a partnership with Western University of Health Sciences, providing veterinary students with clinical rotations, educational lectures, and hands-on learning opportunities across its hospital network.
Alfonso credits continuing education, industry conferences, mentorship, and professional networking opportunities—including resources available through VHMA—with helping shape her career in veterinary management.
“The education, support, and professional connections I’ve found through VHMA have been invaluable throughout my career,” Alfonso said. “To be recognized in this way is incredibly humbling, and it reflects not just my journey, but the team and culture we’ve built together.”
As part of the award, Alfonso will receive recognition at the VHMA 2026 Annual Meeting and Conference, scheduled for Sept. 10-12 in Reno, Nevada.
Information sourced from the organization’s press release.
