Heather Suhr, CVOM

Practice Manager, Park West Veterinary Associates

Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466

1Award received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree University of Central Missouri - B.S. Cert Fear-free certified level 2 Cert Compassion fatigue advocate certification Cert Certified Veterinary Office Manager Member VHMA (Veterinary Hospital Managers Association)

Her Story

About Heather

Heather Suhr, CVOM, is a Practice Manager at Park West Veterinary Associates in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, where she has built a career in veterinary medicine over the past seven years. She began her journey in the clinic’s reception role and steadily advanced into leadership, now overseeing operations in a seven-doctor small-animal practice. With an academic background in clinical psychology from the University of Central Missouri, Heather brings a strong understanding of human behavior into her leadership approach, allowing her to effectively support both her team and the clients they serve. In her role, Heather focuses on customer retention, service excellence, and building strong, resilient teams. She is responsible for daily operational leadership, including staff development, workflow coordination, human resources, training initiatives, and implementing client-focused programs. Known for her problem-solving mindset, she thrives in a dynamic environment where she can address challenges in real time while ensuring the clinic runs smoothly and efficiently. Heather is widely recognized for her empathetic leadership style and commitment to creating a supportive workplace culture. She is a Certified Veterinary Office Manager through the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association and holds certifications in Fear Free veterinary care and compassion fatigue advocacy. Passionate about improving both employee well-being and patient experience, she actively promotes low-stress handling practices and accessible care solutions, fostering an environment where both people and pets can thrive.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Heather

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my ability to build strong relationships and solve problems effectively, as well as my background in psychology and behavioral analysis. Working as a team, leaning into my compassion, and developing systematic workflows are all things that I attribute to my degree. I also credit my growth to the opportunity to join Park West Veterinary and the experience I gained by growing within the practice. I am very fortunate to have learned from amazing mentors in the field and to continue to learn each day from incredible doctors, technicians, receptionists and support staff who challenge me to embrace one of our core values of Always Better.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I have ever received as a leader is to turn the mirror on yourself and to turn it often. If your team is struggling with motivation ask yourself if you are failing to inspire or what you can do better to drive that motivation.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

The advice I would give young women in coming into the industry is "yes you can"! This is such a female dominated industry- veterinarians make up 80%, licensed technicians make up 90% and practice managers make up 75%. There is a place for you to call home and shine within this field, you just have to find your niche!

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The biggest challenge in my field right now is the ongoing impact of the economy, which is driving up costs while also reducing client visits across the industry. We are also experiencing increased expenses from vendors, making it difficult to balance financial sustainability with our commitment to high-quality care. While we strive to provide gold-standard services, we recognize that many clients face financial limitations, so we focus on offering more accessible “A to Z care” options and solutions like CareCredit, and wellness programs to help ensure pets still receive the care they need.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are compassion, relationship-building, and consistently doing right by patients and the community. I also place strong importance on supporting and prioritizing the well-being of my team, as I believe strong, healthy teams are essential to providing the best possible care and service.

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