From shadowing a veterinary technician as a high school student to receiving the 2022 MSU CVM Distinguished Veterinary Technology Alums Award, Kelli Keith has been on many adventures since she decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Take a look at her winding career path (so far):
During high school, Keith shadows a clinic and applies to MSU. “For as long as I can remember, I wanted to work with animals,” says Keith. “I assumed being a veterinarian was my only career path.” But after spending some time at her local clinic, Keith discovered what a veterinary technician does. “I was hooked!” she says. With this passion, Keith applied to veterinary nursing (then called veterinary technology) school at MSU and was accepted to the program. However, she soon discovered that she had not taken enough math and chemistry to accept the seat. Though disappointed at first, Keith was encouraged to take courses at Lansing Community College and reapply.
Keith graduates from MSU with a BS and LVT. Keith looks back on her time at MSU with fondness. “MSU taught me to reach for the stars, that I could do hard things and excel at them,” says Keith. “I had some of the best mentors and instructors. I didn’t know how deeply their level of care and encouragement would affect the rest of my life. I use those things every day to build a reputation that I’m incredibly proud of.”
Keith reapplies to MSU—and gets in. “The genuine care and mentorship I received during the application process—and throughout the entirety of the program—created an amazing learning experience that lives with me to this day,” says Keith.
Keith accepts a position at a day clinic in small animal medicine and emergency care. She worked for 4 different clinics during her 11 years in private practice as she searched for an environment that aligned with her priorities and encouraged her to grow as a credentialed veterinary technologist.
After burning out in private practice, Keith accepts a position at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “My decision to go into industry was a very difficult one. I considered leaving the profession entirely, but my passion for veterinary medicine just wouldn’t let that happen,” says Keith. In her job at Hill’s, Keith was responsible for helping 150 clinics understand the importance of good nutrition. She focused on being a caring and compassionate representative of the company and aimed to provide incredible customer service.
Keith begins work with Mission Veterinary Partners (MVP). “Throughout my career, I developed a vast network of amazing individuals,” says Keith. One of these individuals introduced her to MVP, and Keith soon fell in love with the organization’s focus on people. She joined MVP as a student experience liaison, and the job ignited her passion for mentorship. Now a veterinary technician and nursing support specialist, Keith oversees more than 250 current veterinary technology students and provides them with caring and compassionate mentorship as they navigate their studies.
A representative from health care supply distributor Henry Schein notices Keith and offers her a position. At Henry Schein, Keith continued her work to change clinics’ views on sales representatives by providing excellent, education-focused customer service. “Helping make the day better or easier for clinics was the highlight of this time period of my career,” Keith says.
Keith is nominated for, and wins, a CVM Alums Award. Keith’s reputation as a dedicated and passionate individual led her colleague, Sarah Tomasik, BS, LVT, to nominate her for the 2022 MSU CVM Distinguished Veterinary Technology Alums Award. In her nomination letter, Tomasik wrote, “For those who have had the pleasure of working with Kelli, you can’t help but enjoy her. She looks for the positive in everything. If there’s a problem and she can’t solve it, she has no ego and will ask for help. She’ll also be the first person to jump in and help when needed.”
Keith found out about her nomination for this award when Tomasik, who is currently an instructor at MSU, sent her a Facebook message. “I love the fact that several MSU teachers and professors have followed my career and stayed connected with me,” she says. And when Keith found out she had won? “The ugly cry was instantaneous!” she laughs.
Keith was touched to be recognized by her fellow industry professionals and mentors at MSU. “This award symbolizes all the hard work, blood, sweat, tears, and love I’ve poured into my profession,” says Keith. “To know that such amazing people in my profession recognize my accomplishments is more than I could have ever asked for.”