Do You Know That Feeling When It’s Time For A Change?
Welcome to INSIGHTS! In this next generation of our College’s alums magazine, you can expect much of the same: stories about the value of veterinary medicine with an emphasis on the professionals who make it possible. You also can expect some changes: these stories will focus much more heavily on our College’s alums and students. In addition, we’ll be publishing twice a year, instead of just once.
In this premiere issue of INSIGHTS, we’re highlighting individuals who encapsulate our mission to:Veterinary nurses are professionals with special perspective. Alum Kelli Keith’s evolving career shows the pathway of a veterinary nurse with a passion for improving patient healthcare through client and student education. Student Elizaveta Walter plans to combine her Veterinary Nursing degree with her studies in criminal justice to better report and prevent animal abuse.
From honeybees to horses, graduate students and alums of our Comparative Medicine and Integrated Biology Program conduct transformative research in a variety of fields. Student Peter Fowler’s research focuses on hive health and disease pathogenesis. Alum Marisa Henry is attending physical therapy school to bolster her clinical research and future in horse rehabilitation.
To touch the lives of both animals and people, as only veterinary professionals can do, is special. Alum Laurie Lockman is doing just that with her incredible work as a relief veterinarian. Healing must come full circle, though; the College’s Veterinary Wellness Initiative supports a proactive outlook toward mental health, burnout, and self-care for our future veterinary professionals.
MSU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is essential to the College’s life-saving work; its testing is critical to the safeguarding of domestic animals, wildlife, and public health from a wide range of threats. Senior Pathologist Rebecca Smedley and Resident Allison Gerras give fantastic insights to how their daily work impacts our everyday world.
As you read INSIGHTS, I hope you’re inspired by these student and alums stories, as I am. We chose to highlight these individuals because they play an important role in representing our College; as our friends and alums, you do, too.
Thank you for all you do.
Birgit Puschner
Dean and Professor
