Can you tell us a little bit about your journey to become a veterinary clinical pathologist? When did you become interested in clinical pathology?
My interest in clinical pathology began early in veterinary school. I was drawn to the conceptual and abstract puzzles of sorting through clinical data. When I finished veterinary school, I spent some time in clinical practice. I finished an internship at VCA ARECA (Animal Referral and Emergency Center of Arizona) in Mesa, Arizona, and went on to work in small animal emergency medicine and animal specialty center. After several years, I was looking for a new challenge, and came back to clinical pathology. I did my residency at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine (UWSVM) from 2011-2014, and during this time, fell in love with teaching. Afterward, I took a position at the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) on the island of Saint Kitts in the West Indies where I had the opportunity to do intensive teaching across the veterinary curriculum.
Why Mizzou?
I was particularly interested in the MU CVM for its interest in teaching and reputation for treating students well. Additionally, a number of my friends in the field had done their clinical pathology residencies here, were very happy with their residencies, and are now accomplished pathologists. I was lucky enough to have an interview opportunity, and I think it was a great fit in both directions, and here I am!
Are you a cat person, or a dog person? What are your interests outside of veterinary medicine?
Outside of clinical pathology, I’m a cat person through-and-through, as is most of the clin path team here, I think, so that was a happy coincidence! Don’t get me wrong, dogs and other critters are great too, but if the creature doesn’t purr, it doesn’t really do it for me. ? I currently have three cats (two from the island – Gilligan and Meowyannathrall –, one from Arizona – Violet –) and a super-supportive husband who tells me we are at “cat-pacity.” Over the past several years, I’ve become a fan of the role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons, and play weekly on the internet with a group of friends.