Growth From Within
April 3, 2026
Growth isn’t just a buzzword at Vetcor; it’s the backbone of our hospitals. Since our founding, we’ve watched incredible team members start as assistants and technicians, mastering the art of patient care before stepping into the role of Hospital Manager. These transitions reflect the grit and leadership required to move beyond the treatment floor.
By investing in our teams and providing the right operational tools, we aim to ensure that a career at Vetcor never hits a standstill. Check out how these managers have navigated the transition from technician to manager, proving that the best leaders are often the ones who know what it’s like to be on the clinic floor.
Fountain Valley Animal Hospital - Colorado Springs, CO
Becca Powell was previously a receptionist and veterinary assistant and stepped into the Hospital Manager role at Fountain Valley Animal Hospital to ensure her team felt seen and supported by someone who truly understands the rhythm of the clinic. “Throughout my career, I noticed that many managers seemed out of touch with the daily challenges techs and assistants face. I wanted to change that—to be the kind of manager who truly understands the work, advocates for her team, and isn’t afraid to step in wherever needed.”
For Becca, this means jumping in to place catheters, draw blood, monitor surgery, and restrain pets. It also looks like renovating the clinic’s unused basement to make a bigger and better breakroom for her team so they could have a place to decompress and truly step away for lunch breaks. “What I enjoy the most about being an HM is that I get to support my staff in so many different ways that I never had when I first started in vet med,” she said. “I know that no matter what, my team will always support me and appreciates everything I do for them every day.”
Chisholm Ridge Pet Hospital – Saginaw, TX
Chylsi Dean, Hospital Manager at Chisholm Ridge Pet Hospital, is the definition of growing where you are planted. Her journey began 13 years ago as an extern, eventually leading her to become the clinic’s Lead Technician. While Chylsi’s heart will always be in the surgery suite, it was her own team's encouragement that pushed her to trade her lead tech role for a management role. A year into her promotion, she’s proving that you don’t have to leave the medicine behind to lead your people. We sat down with Chylsi to map out her decade-plus journey from student to HM, check out her career progression in the video below:
Animal Emergency Clinic of the High Country – Boone, NC
This March, we celebrated a significant milestone at Animal Emergency Clinic of the High Country (AEC) with the promotion of Marie Zielaskowski. Marie has been a cornerstone of the AEC team since 2016. After earning her Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care in 2022 and serving as the team’s Lead RVT, she has officially added a new title to her name: Assistant Hospital Manager.
The AEC team announced Marie’s promotion on Facebook, sharing, “Marie’s dedication, leadership, and love for veterinary medicine make her an invaluable part of our team. We are proud to celebrate her journey and excited to see her thrive in this new role!”
By empowering our clinical teams to step into operational roles, we aren't just filling positions—we are strengthening a community of hospitals led by people who truly understand the heartbeat of the clinic. We are incredibly proud to support these transitions and look forward to seeing how these managers continue to shape the future of care.
Tips for Making the Leap
Transitioning from the treatment floor to an administrative role is a major shift in mindset. If you are looking to move into a hospital manager position, here are a few ways to prepare for the change:
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Shift your focus: While you’re used to focusing on the patient in front of you, management requires looking at the big picture. Start thinking about how individual tasks affect the overall flow and financial health of the clinic.
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Prioritize communication: Moving from a peer to a supervisor can be tricky. Practice clear, empathetic communication and learn how to provide constructive feedback that helps your team grow.
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Maintain your clinical empathy: Your biggest asset is knowing exactly what it feels like to be in the back of the clinic. Use that knowledge to advocate for your team’s mental health and work-life balance—it will make you a leader they respect and trust.
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Use your connections: You don’t have to figure it out alone. Reaching out to current HMs is a great way to learn from their experiences and gain insight into the transition. For Vetcor team members, your Regional Manager is also a strong resource who can offer guidance, perspective, and support as you explore this next step.
If you’re a technician or assistant looking for your next career move, consider a hospital manager role with Vetcor. Whether it’s always been your goal to become a manager, or a new calling, there’s a place for your ambition here. Lead a team with the empathy only a former technician can provide by applying for a Vetcor Hospital Manager role today.
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