VHMA names 2026 2026 Practice Manager of the Year

Bianca Alfonso helped transform Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center, from a 6-person startup into a thriving organization with 4 hospitals in the Los Angeles, California, area. She fostered a culture of mentorship, cross-training, and professional development that has propelled employees from entry-level positions into leadership roles. In recognition of her leadership and impact, the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) has named Alfonso its 2026 Practice Manager of the Year (PMOY).¹

"Bianca Alfonso exemplifies the transformative leadership this award was designed to recognize," Christine Q. Shupe, CAE, executive director of VHMA, said in a news release. "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."

The VHMA PMOY award recognizes a practice manager who has used their knowledge, experience, and expertise to transform their practice and improve business operations. Their efforts have resulted in a better workplace for staff, improved care for pets, and a better return for ownership.

As this year's award recipient, Alfonso receives complimentary registration to the VHMA 2026 Annual Meeting and Conference; September 10–12 in Reno, Nevada, along with $1250 for travel, lodging, and meals. The award package also includes VHMA/ACT Client Service Certificate Program registration, supported by VHMA Platinum Sponsor, CareCredit.

From the front desk to practice manager

Alfonso moved from Miami, Florida, to Los Angeles in 2015 after she accepted a job opportunity in California. At the time, she was rethinking her career path. While studying nursing at Miami Dade College, she realized the profession was not the right fit for her. Still passionate about medicine and helping others, she turned toward veterinary care and joined the newly opened Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center as a client service representative. With no prior veterinary experience, she quickly immersed herself in learning every aspect of the business.

Over the next 11 years, Alfonso rose through the ranks to administrative director while helping guide Green Dog’s expansion from a small startup practice in Sherman Oaks to a multi-location organization with hospitals in Sherman Oaks, Santa Monica, Venice, and Van Nuys.

As client demand grew, so did the practice’s services. What began as a dental-focused hospital expanded to include general practice, urgent care, advanced dentistry, oral and

maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, cardiology, internal medicine, advanced imaging, and exotic animal care, ultimately becoming a full-service outpatient specialty referral hospital.

"We've always embraced a staff-first philosophy. Green Dog has been a true testament to what can be achieved when team members feel valued, supported, and empowered," Alfonso said in the award announcement.

leading through Mentorship and Service

As Green Dog expanded its footprint and services, Alfonso helped develop the systems and processes needed to support sustainable growth while maintaining the organization's culture. Through regular staff meetings, employee feedback initiatives, collaborative problem-solving, and strategic hiring practices, she helped ensure team members remained engaged and invested in the organization's success. Her leadership also helped foster a highly collaborative environment where employees are cross-trained across departments and encouraged to support one another regardless of their role.

"We've always believed that our teams need to be successful in order for the hospital to be successful," Alfonso said. "When people feel supported and have opportunities to grow, they become more confident in themselves and more invested in the success of the hospital."

"What has always stood out about Bianca is her ability to make people feel heard, valued, and respected. She leads with professionalism, empathy, and integrity, and those qualities have not only made her an exceptional leader but have also helped shape the culture that has fueled Green Dog's growth," Gladys Juliette, chief communications officer for Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center, said in the release.

Building a culture of growth, community, and professional development

One of Alfonso’s proudest accomplishments has been helping team members discover and pursue career paths they may not have otherwise considered. Rather than relying solely on outside recruitment for leadership positions, she has focused on identifying

potential within existing employees and providing the mentorship, education, and support needed to help them advance. Two client service representatives she personally mentored have since risen through the ranks to become a practice manager and assistant manager, while numerous other employees have advanced into leadership roles throughout the organization.

“What sets Bianca apart is not a title or a single achievement. It is the consistency with which she shows up for people,” Ren Garcia, DVM, BVSc, founder and chief of staff of Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center, said in the release. “She leads with humility, steadiness and genuine care, and she believes in others long before they believe in themselves. Young professionals grow into their confidence. Individuals who once doubted whether they belonged in veterinary medicine discover not only that they do, but that they can lead.”

Having entered the veterinary field without a formal background, Alfonso built her career through continuing education, industry conferences, mentorship, and professional networking. Through VHMA, she gained access to resources and connections that strengthened her expertise in practice management while expanding her understanding of the profession and the role of leadership within it.

“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.”

Reference

VHMA Announces 2026 Practice Manager of the Year: Bianca Alfonso. News release. Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. June 22, 2026.