It is with great pride each year that the College of Veterinary Medicine ushers another round of graduates from the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Nursing Programs, each of them brimming with accomplishments and a readiness to take on their careers. We spoke with three 2021 graduates about what lies behind them and what is yet to come.
Allie Gerras, DVM Class of 2021
What are your plans next?
After graduation, I am excited to begin a residency program in diagnostic and toxicologic anatomic pathology! This is a combined position between Michigan State University and Charles River Laboratories.
What advice do you have for students who haven’t graduated yet?
My advice to my colleagues that are coming up behind me is to try your best to go into each class/clinical rotation with a positive mindset—be curious, have fun, TAKE BREAKS, and build great relationships with your peers and colleagues.
What’s a favorite vet school memory of yours? My favorite vet school memory was beating the faculty team to become the Intramural League Innertube Water Polo Champions in our last season!
Kristen Stamper, Veterinary Nursing Class of 2021
What are your plans next?
My plans for next year are to start working in a small animal veterinary hospital (undecided as to which one at that is at the moment) near the Flint area, where I will continue to grow my skills and practice Fear Free medicine.
What advice do you have for students who haven’t graduated yet?
My advice to the class that is coming in is to take chances and get involved in the College of Veterinary Medicine community (and veterinary community as a whole), never be afraid to ask questions, and always find some time for yourself.
What’s a favorite veterinary nursing school memory of yours? My favorite vet nursing school memory is drawing blood on Cheer, one of the College’s standardbred horses, for the first time for my clinical pathology class. It was the first large animal I had ever drawn blood on, and I got it on the first try with the help of one of my favorite instructors, Kristi Sneed.
Kaity Denney, DVM Class of 2021
What are your plans next?
After graduation, I will be doing a one-year small animal rotating internship at Blue Pearl in Grand Rapids to gain additional hands-on training. After that, I will likely join a small animal general practice.
What advice do you have for students who haven’t graduated yet?
My two biggest pieces of advice for my colleagues in various parts of their education would be:
A) To remember that vet school overwhelming and at times you will have to devote all of yourself to it, but remember to nurture the other parts of yourself. You are so much more than a vet student and you can't forget that.
B) Vet school is hard, but your classmates are amazing! Rely on them for support and encouragement; we are all in this together. 🙂🙂
What’s a favorite veterinary nursing school memory of yours? I have a ton of great vet school memories, but I think my favorite would be our classes 5/8th party. We had just received our white coats as a celebration of transition from bookwork to the clinic floor, and we all were together to celebrate! It was a total blast and a great time to relax and be proud of our accomplishments thus far. I think graduation might end up taking the cake in the end though. 😉
