Stories of making a difference for animals and their fellow graduates of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
In November, the West Indies Veterinary Conference attracted around 600 people to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) for four days of continuing education, labs, and master classes. We caught up with a few of the nearly 300 RUSVM alumni there to hear about how they are championing care as veterinarians and what it means to be part of the Ross Vet family.
Mark Salemi, DVM ’87
Owner and Medical Director, Northside Animal Hospital on Staten Island
When did you know you wanted to be a veterinarian?
Since age 8. The veterinarian that worked on our pets let me volunteer at his clinic. My mother was upset with me sometimes because I had around 18 cages in my room: snakes, lizards, turtles, fish, not to mention the cats, dogs, and occasional ducks and chickens.
You’ve been a veterinarian for more than 30 years. What has changed?
People have so much information at their disposal today. They know a lot more than you think. You need to help them process that information so you can do the best job you can for the client and the patient.
How do you stay involved with RUSVM?
I’ve been in the alumni association since its inception and served as president. I love giving back to the school. It made me a better person.
Betsy Powers, DVM ’12
Owner, Powers Veterinary Hospital in Huntersville, North Carolina
What did you do before you were a veterinarian?
I was an accountant for 25 years and got to a point in my life where I was bored and complaining a lot. My husband asked me what would you do if you had to do it all over again? I flippantly answered, oh, I always wanted to be a vet. He said well, why don’t you just quit complaining and do something about it? Once that fire got lit, that was it.
What does the Ross Vet family mean to you?
I was diagnosed with lymphoma two years ago. I thought I was going to have to close my practice. But I reached out to my Ross Vet family. The six months I was out they kept my business thriving. Those are the kind of good people Ross Vet connects you to.
Jonathan Chapman, DVM ’13
Director of Veterinary Education, San Diego Humane Society
What were your first few years out of Ross Vet like?
I did a small animal internship that had a shelter medicine partnership. I saw a wide spectrum of people who needed care. It influenced me to go into a residency in public health and preventive medicine. Today I’m on the forefront of connecting communities with resources in need. It reminds me of my time on the island and the different resources we were able to provide. That’s a great aspect of being a Ross Vet alumni. You’re able to see the wider view outside of what you maybe grew up in.
How are you making a difference today?
San Diego County is one of the largest counties and one of the most expensive. We’re bridging gaps for access to care by connecting people with resources. We’re bringing in students to learn from our model. That includes students from Ross Vet.
Dane Arends, DVM ’09
Owner of a Private Practice, Co-owner of Two Emergency Clinics
What’s it like to own a practice?
[In Wadsworth, Ohio] we have a population of about 25,000. I’m the town veterinarian. My job is to advocate for that pet and give their owners options on what treatments work within their budget. Being an owner is a different challenge. You are the one who’s responsible for paying all the taxes, paying all the payroll, ordering the inventory, and maintaining the clinic. You have to make all those decisions. You have to replace the driveway, cover the insurance, and all those other things an associate veterinarian doesn't have to bother so with.
What advice do you have?
It’s really important to make sure you have good staff. Make sure you have an office manager who knows what they’re doing and can help you be a doctor versus being the guy who has to micromanage everything in the office.
What does it mean to be part of the Ross Vet family?
We have an internship program at my emergency referral center, and we have a fair number of Ross Vet students. When I see them in the hallways, we fist bump or high five. We’re always talking to each other about cases. You could call any one of those fellow Ross Vet students at any time and ask for a favor, and you'll get it.
Chad Harris, DVM ’12
Vice President of Veterinary Leadership, VetCor
When did you know you wanted to be a veterinarian?
I grew up on a rescue zoo. We had everything from big cats to monkeys and birds. My mom recently gave me a bundle of papers from elementary school. One of them from kindergarten said, “When I grow up, I want to be a veterinarian.”
What was it like going to school in Saint Kitts?
First of all, it’s in the Caribbean. You can’t get any better. The island is absolutely phenomenal. The people are amazing, and we were welcomed with open arms. I come back to Saint Kitts as often as I can. This is my second home. It’s my favorite place on the planet. When I got married, I had four Ross Vet classmates of mine who were groomsmen. Besides my family, the Rossie family is the biggest impact on my life.
What’s a career moment you’re proud of?
In 2017, I had just taken over as the president of the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation. Hurricane Harvey struck Texas. We had to scramble to figure out how to care for pets that had been abandoned. It was a very large undertaking. But we came together and made a difference.
Konstantine Barsky, DVM ’08
Medical Director, Ulster County SPCA
What does the Ross Vet family mean to you?
I overslept for my first physiology exam. I lived right next door to campus, and I woke up to multiple members of my class texting me on my little Nokia brick phone. Hey, where are you? You have five minutes to get here or you will fail. We always made sure that we were looking out for each other. That bond extends to anybody I meet that I find out went to Ross.
How do you champion care?
I’m a shelter vet, so we are doing a lot of access to care work. We're doing a lot of low-cost options for people. We do public health work. We are advocating for those animals that can't advocate for themselves. I’m proud to be a part of that. I started out wanting to be a shelter vet. I’ve gotten there and it feels really good.
Brian Husbands, DVM ’98
Clinical Professor, Ohio State University
What are the best things about going to Ross Vet?
So many on-island opportunities, living in a different culture, developing relationships with people from all over the world. That connection stays with you no matter where you go. Often there is another Ross vet who’s right alongside you.
What are some of the proudest moments of your career?
The first was achieving board certification in medical oncology. I had a faculty member who was so energetic and enthusiastic about the discipline that it really instilled that energy and enthusiasm in me.
The second is being a full clinical professor at Ohio State.
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