Heather Suhr, CVOM
Heather Suhr, CVOM, is a Practice Manager at Park West Veterinary Associates in Charleston County, 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, payroll, 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.
• Fear-free certified level 2
• Compassion fatigue advocate certification
• Certified Veterinary Office Manager
• University of Central Missouri - B.S.
• Best in Show Award from NVA Southeast Division
• VHMA (Veterinary Hospital Managers Association)
What 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. I also credit my growth to the opportunity to join Park West Veterinary and the experience I gained by growing within the practice.
What 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 payment plans, CareCredit, and wellness programs to help ensure pets still receive the care they need.
What 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.
Locations
Park West Veterinary Associates
Moncks Corner, SC 29461