The Bridge Club Bright Minds Award recognizes those elevating veterinary care.
Winner receive:
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Recognition at WVC
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$500 Award
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Bright Minds Award
Industry Influencer
Nominees
An individual who uses their medium of choice: social media, articles, public speaking, or media appearances to shine light on the profession, medical advancements within vet med.
Dr. Sue Ettinger
Dr. Sue Ettinger, widely known as Dr. Sue Cancer Vet®, is one of the most passionate and effective communicators in veterinary medicine. A board-certified veterinary oncologist, author, and international speaker, she has dedicated her career to educating both general practitioners and pet owners on the early detection and treatment of cancer.
With over two decades of experience, Dr. Sue is a leader in her field, recognized as the 2019 Western Veterinary Conference Small Animal Continuing Educator of the Year. She is the creator of the widely adopted See Something, Do Something, Why Wait? Aspirate.® initiative, which has transformed how veterinarians approach cancer detection.
Beyond the clinic, Dr. Sue is a powerhouse on social media, engaging with an audience of over 128,000 followers across Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, where she provides valuable insights and support to veterinary professionals and pet owners alike. She lectures globally, including in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, continuously shaping the future of veterinary oncology.
Dr. Emily King
Dr. Emily King, DVM, is a distinguished veterinarian and founder of All-Star Veterinary Clinic, dedicated to supporting veterinary professionals in reaching their highest potential. With a substantial Instagram following of 97,000, she actively engages with the veterinary community, sharing insights and experiences to inspire others. Dr. King frequently speaks to veterinary students, aiming to motivate them to maintain their passion for the field beyond their academic years.
Her significant contributions to the profession, mentorship, and widespread influence make Dr. Emily King a compelling candidate for recognition as an industry icon in the Bright Minds US Awards.
Dr. Liao Zonram
Dr. Liao's social media posts are a blend of education, silliness, and relatability that have garnered him over 88.5k followers on IG. He has an infectious positive energy that comes from his pure enthusiasm and love for this profession and helping the community. Working at his clinic, he is authentically in real life the same way he is on social media.
He blends fun and professionalism in a way that all his staff and clients appreciate. With that being said, his impact extends far beyond his clinic walls, as he uses his platform to educate, inspire, and empower pet owners as well as veterinary professionals worldwide.
Practice Game Changer
Nominees
An individual or team focused on making the practice better by addressing the challenges faced daily by developing new workflows, strategies and approaches to ultimately advance veterinary medicine.
Dr. Niccole Bruno
Dr. Niccole Bruno, DVM, is the visionary CEO and founder of blendVET®, a trailblazing organization revolutionizing veterinary medicine through comprehensive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) educational initiatives. Drawing from her personal experiences navigating underrepresentation in the field, Dr. Bruno has made it her mission to foster inclusivity at the practice level.
Under Dr. Bruno's leadership, blendVET® has pioneered the nation's first veterinary-curated DEIB training curriculum. This innovative program offers On-demand courses, Cohort-based programs, Workplace certifications
These tailored initiatives aim to strengthen veterinary practices and cultivate healthier workplace cultures by promoting self-awareness, effective communication, and cultural competence among veterinary teams.
Beyond professional development, blendVET® is committed to diversifying the veterinary pipeline through its "Believe and Belong in Veterinary Medicine" youth pathway programs. These outreach events introduce students from underserved communities to the vast opportunities within veterinary careers.
Dr. Bruno's innovative approach to integrating DEIB principles into veterinary practice goes beyond enhancing team dynamics and client relations; it actively addresses systemic barriers to diversity within the profession. Her groundbreaking work exemplifies the qualities of a true Practice Game Changer, making her an outstanding candidate for recognition in the Bright Minds US Awards.
Through her dedication and vision, Dr. Bruno is not just changing individual practices but reshaping the entire landscape of veterinary medicine, ensuring a more inclusive and diverse future for the profession.
Dr. Eve Harrison
Dr. Eve Harrison, VMD, CVA, CVPM, CCFP’s innovative contributions and dedication to enhancing veterinary practice through education, mentorship, personal development, friendship, and community-building exemplifies the qualities of a Practice Game Changer, making her a deserving nominee for the Bright Minds Practice Game Changer Award. Dr. Harrison is a trailblazer in the field of veterinary medicine, breathing new life into the house call & mobile veterinary practice models.
Understanding the challenges veterinarians face in traditional clinical settings, Dr. Harrison founded The House Call Vet Academy, a comprehensive program designed to guide veterinarians in building and growing their own mobile practices. The academy offers a structured curriculum of on demand online content, which encompasses planning, execution, and sustainable growth strategies, supplemented by monthly group coaching sessions to provide ongoing support.
Beyond her educational initiatives, Dr. Harrison fosters community and knowledge-sharing through the House Call & Mobile Vet Virtual Conference, an annual event that brings together mobile veterinary professionals to exchange insights and best practices. She also hosts the House Call Vet Café Podcast, where she discusses topics pertinent to mobile veterinary care, further contributing to the professional development of her peers.
Josh Vaisman
With great respect and admiration, I nominate Josh Vaisman for the 2025 Bright Minds Practice Game Changer Award. Few individuals have had such a profound impact on the culture of veterinary medicine as Josh, whose work exemplifies the power of positive leadership to transform not just workplaces, but lives.
Josh’s book, "Lead to Thrive", has quickly become a cornerstone resource for veterinary professionals. Grounded in science and infused with practical wisdom, it provides a roadmap for fostering connection, purpose, and psychological safety in the workplace. Many who have read it describe it as “life-changing,” offering the tools and inspiration to lead with both courage and compassion.
Josh has helped individuals and organizations reimagine what leadership in veterinary medicine can look like. His ability to connect with others on a deeply human level sets him apart. People consistently describe him as empathetic and a true advocate for veterinary teams. Through his work, Josh has cultivated a shift toward leadership practices that prioritize thriving.
Josh has helped change the conversation around leadership in our profession. He provides hope, clarity, and a path forward for so many of us. His dedication to helping others thrive through positive leadership reflects the very heart of the Bright Minds Practice Changer Award. It is a privilege to recommend him for this well-deserved recognition.
Wellness Champions
Nominees
An individual or team who puts people first in specialty or general practice with wellness initiatives and care programs for the medical teams.
Melyssa Allen, MA, NBC-WWC, DipACLM
Melyssa Allen is a highly deserving candidate for the Bright Minds Award in the wellbeing category. I've worked with her for several years now and have seen the direct positive impact she has on our profession. She has dedicated herself to addressing the critical issue of burnout and declining wellbeing within the veterinary profession, a field often overlooked despite its high stress and emotional toll. Melyssa's approach is unique and impactful for several reasons:
Multidisciplinary Expertise: She seamlessly integrates her diverse background in animal training, mental health, and lifestyle medicine coaching to address the complex, interconnected factors impacting veterinary professionals' wellbeing. This holistic approach goes beyond simply offering stress management tips and delves into the root causes of their challenges.
Targeted Programs: Through her Veterinary Well-Being Buddy platform, Melyssa creates tailored programs designed specifically for the veterinary community. She understands the unique pressures they face – from long hours and emotionally demanding cases to compassion fatigue and financial strain. Her programs provide practical, evidence-based strategies for positive change in mindset, lifestyle, and behavior, fostering both individual resilience and a more supportive work environment.
Community Building: Melyssa's recently launched membership community is a game-changer. It provides a vital space for veterinary professionals and clinics to connect, learn, and support each other. The online courses, challenges, and resources offer ongoing development and foster a sense of belonging, combating the isolation that can contribute to burnout. This community aspect amplifies the impact of her work, creating a ripple effect of positive change throughout the profession.
Impact on the Profession: Melyssa's work is directly addressing the alarming rates of burnout, depression, and even suicide within the veterinary field. By empowering veterinary professionals to prioritize their wellbeing, she is not only improving their quality of life but also contributing to better patient care and a more sustainable future for the profession. Her focus on preventative measures, rather than just reactive solutions, is crucial for long-term change.
Rebecca serves our industry in a first-of-its-kind position at AppState as the Wellness Coordinator, providing support and prioritizing the well-being of both students and staff. Rebecca helps students create wellbeing habits early in their careers to create the next generation of veterinary technicians with wellbeing prioritized from day one!
She has volunteered as a peer companion for NOMV for a couple of years. She has served as president-elect on the board of the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators (AVTE), and Rebecca is involved in the recovery community as someone in long-term recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD) and strive to reduce the stigma surrounding it .
She is a sought after speaker and a member of the MentorVet team as a group facilitator for their technician program.
Finally, she recently earned her FVTE (Fellow in Veterinary Technology Education).
She is a profound leader, outstanding colleague, and wellbeing champion who deserves to be honored with this award.
The myBalto Foundation was founded by Dr. Robert Parkins and his brother Nathan Parkins with a mission to alleviate the financial stress pet owners face while reducing the emotional toll on veterinary professionals. Recognizing the devastating impact of economic euthanasia, they have helped hundreds of veterinary hospitals create angel funds—critical financial resources that ensure pets receive the medical care they need, regardless of their owners’ financial situation.
By removing the emotional weight of economic euthanasia, myBalto Foundation enhances both animal welfare and the mental well-being of veterinarians and veterinary teams. Their innovative approach supports compassion fatigue prevention, promotes accessible veterinary care, and strengthens the human-animal bond.
Through their unwavering dedication to the well-being of pets and the professionals who care for them, myBalto Foundation is a standout nominee for the Wellness Champion Bright Mind Award.