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Alumni Stories

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    Veterinary college alumni uniquely prepared for a pandemic , redirect

    From public health veterinarians and pathologists to veterinary epidemiologists and disease surveillance experts, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine's One Health-trained alumni have their boots on the ground in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

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    Veterinary college alumna Lauren Dodd serves the world , redirect

    A simultaneous degree graduate (MS and MPH), Dr. Lauren Dodd continued a family legacy of service when she commissioned in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps. Officers of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps are the only veterinarians within the Department of Defense. These individuals provide animal care to government-owned animals and privately owned animals of service members, and engage in military medical research, disease control, food safety and defense, and training for all branches of the military and multiple federal agencies worldwide. During her time as an MS/MPH student, Lauren took advantage of many opportunities that helped define her career path. Among her many activities was a trip to Haiti with Dr. Kathy Hosig where Lauren interviewed Haitian farmers and livestock owners to determine how goat health could be improved.

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    The future of public health: Recent master of public health graduates take on new roles at Carilion , redirect

    Sara Wohlford (MPH '14) and Kirsten Simpkins (MPH '14) both work at Carilion Clinic, a not-for-profit health care organization based in Roanoke, Virginia. Sara is the efficiency and sustainability program manager at Carilion Clinic where she develops and implements programs to decrease waste and inefficiencies, tracks and reports on environmental sustainability programs, and develops and leads staff education programs. Sara credits the MPH program for working with her to tailor her program of study to her “specific vision” and for preparing her for her current role at Carilion. Kirsten is an infection preventionist with Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. In this role Kirsten monitors communicable diseases and multidrug resistant organisms and provides support to prevent and control infectious disease transmission. Kirsten credits the MPH program for providing her with valuable hands-on experience and research skills.

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    Virginia Tech students create device to keep babies warm in Malawi , redirect

    Ashley Taylor (MPH '16) combined her interests in engineering and public health to oversee the development of a passive infant warming device called the “baby pod” that would be used in rural Malawi. Ashley drew upon her public health knowledge and skills to incorporate the community in the design process.