Celebrating Our 2026 Veterinary Nurse and Technician Champions
October 22, 2026
At Ethos, we recognize veterinary nursing as a career built on clinical expertise, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference for patients and the people who care for them. Each year, the Veterinary Nurse & Technician Champion Awards recognize exceptional veterinary nurses & technicians who go above and beyond for their patients, clients, and colleagues while helping advance the profession.
In celebration of National Veterinary Nurse and Technician Week, we’re proud to introduce the 2026 winners whose dedication and leadership make a difference across our Specialty and Emergency hospitals.
🏆 Grand Champion Winner
Megan R., CVT, VTS (Surgery) – Animal Specialty and Emergency Center of Brevard, Melbourne, FL
Megan has a way of making excellence look effortless. Whether navigating a complex case, advocating for a patient, or supporting her team through a busy shift, she brings sound clinical judgment, organization, and an unwavering commitment to patient care.
Megan leads by example, sharing her expertise, guiding colleagues through complex cases, and creating opportunities for her team to develop their skills and confidence. As her nominator shared, “she doesn’t need to be the person in the spotlight; she is often the person making sure someone else gets to stand in it.”
Leading with both skill and humility, Megan raises the bar for her team while making sure others have the knowledge, confidence, and support to succeed.
👏 Champion Award Recipients
Cyrissa P., LVT – Emergency Pet Care of Texas, Magnolia, TX
Cyrissa is a skilled overnight emergency technician whose impact extends well beyond the patients in her care. Working closely with her hospital’s new Medical Director, she has helped develop clinical protocols, improve treatment workflows, and standardize patient estimate templates and monitoring processes to support safer, more efficient patient care.
Despite working overnight shifts, Cyrissa makes time to participate in hospital meetings and train new employees. Her initiative, problem-solving skills, and willingness to advocate for improvements have made her an important voice in strengthening hospital operations and team collaboration.
Gil M., LVT – Long Island Veterinary Specialists, Plainview, NY
Gil brings exceptional clinical expertise to some of the hospital’s most complex neurological cases, from obtaining MRI images and helping develop individualized anesthesia plans to creating advanced 3D reconstructions from CT images that support surgical planning. His dedication extends beyond regular hours, as he frequently volunteers for emergency procedures overnight, on weekends, and during holidays.
Having grown from a veterinary assistant into a highly skilled technician and team leader, Gil is equally committed to helping others succeed. He mentors new graduates, veterinary students, and technician interns, sharing his knowledge and building their confidence while fostering a positive, supportive team environment.
Shanah M., LVT – Virginia Veterinary Centers Short Pump, Henrico, VA
Although she joined Virginia Veterinary Centers Short Pump just this year, Shanah has already made a lasting impression on her patients and colleagues. As a dental veterinary nurse, she works closely with the anesthesiologist and her team to support safe, comfortable care, particularly for geriatric patients. Her calm demeanor, reassuring presence, and ability to recognize when a teammate needs extra support brings positivity to even the most stressful days.
Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Shanah has also taken on the role of hospital social media ambassador, helping highlight the important work of her colleagues. Her compassion, patient advocacy, and genuine care for those around her have made her a valued part of the hospital team.
From advancing clinical practices to advocating for their patients and colleagues, we’re proud to celebrate the veterinary nurses that strengthen veterinary medicine in their hospitals and beyond.
Ready to grow your veterinary nursing career? Explore opportunities at Ethos.