The SEF National Business Aptitude Award is bestowed annually to a winner selected from veterinary schools throughout North America. Since its inception in 2002, SEF has donated over $1 million to the veterinary profession.
Simmons Educational Fund has selected its winner for the 2021 SEF National Business Aptitude Award, now in its nineteenth-consecutive year of awarding prizes to veterinary medicine students. This year’s winner of the $35,000 prize is Tiana Rangchi, a fourth-year student at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine.
The SEF National Business Aptitude Award has evolved into one the most prestigious awards supporting the veterinary profession:
- Students at veterinary schools throughout North America are eligible
- Winner receives a $35,000 award and a trip to the VMX Conference in Orlando, where the award will be presented at the National VBMA Meeting
- Award program and winners are promoted nationally by Simmons & Associates
- SEF has donated more than $1 million to the veterinary profession
“Each year is a new opportunity for Simmons and the SEF to connect with and support the emerging generation of business leaders in the veterinary community,” said David King, DVM, a fund trustee. “Watching them apply their expertise, creativity, and passion to help resolve challenges faced by their colleagues is a reward in itself, and it’s exciting to know that these future DVM’s are becoming available as a resource for our industry.”
Ms. Rangchi was selected on the basis of her exceptional response to the SEF Business Case Study, which asked for solutions to current challenges in veterinary business ownership and practice management, as well as on the strength of her educational resume. In addition to being a graduating senior at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, Ms. Rangchi is the Co-President of the school’s Class of 2021. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of California at Los Angeles in 2016, and her career goal is to become a small animal general practitioner, with special interests in soft tissue surgery, dentistry, animal behavior, and dermatology.
“In my first year of veterinary school, the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) helped me shape my career goals and sparked my interest in ownership of a small animal multi-doctor facility,” said Ms. Rangchi. “My time working on the SEF Business Aptitude project has been an invaluable experience towards this goal, as it has equipped me with an understanding of the tools and resources available to practice owners. I really appreciate how the Simmons Educational Fund not only values a passion for veterinary medicine but also supports a strong entrepreneurial spirit among veterinary students.”
About Simmons Educational Fund
Simmons Educational Fund (SEF) is a non-profit founded in 2002 by Simmons & Associates, with a mission to support business education for practitioners and students in the veterinary profession. Since its debut, SEF has reached thousands of veterinarians through its sponsorship of speaking engagements, CE meetings, and collaboration with veterinary organizations such as VBMA, and others with similar goals. Additional information about SEF can be found at www.simmonsedfund.org.
About Simmons & Associates
Simmons & Associates specializes exclusively in veterinary practice sales, valuations, and negotiations. Since 1977, Simmons has been a trusted business advisor and broker to thousands of veterinarians in buying and selling practices. Veterinarians can learn more about buying or selling a practice at www.simmonsinc.com or by calling (800) 333-1984.
