For Dr. Kathryn White, a member of the DVM class of 2025, the transition from school to career has been seamless. White joined CVM’s Animal Emergency & Referral Center, or AERC, as a clinical instructor this summer but has worked there since 2019. She went from volunteer to student to doctor, surrounded by colleagues who have supported her every step of the way.
“The staff at AERC has been with me since the very beginning,” White shares. “I’ve felt a ton of encouragement along the way—and even more so since coming on board as a clinician.”
Her journey to becoming a veterinarian includes hands-on experience across nearly every role within the facility. From her early days at the front desk to her time as a kennel technician, receptionist, and animal health technician, White learned the importance of each position and the value of teamwork in veterinary medicine.
“I think it’s so important to have experienced every aspect of the animal hospital,” she said. “Every role plays a vital part in what we do. My role as a technician strengthened my clinical skills and helped me when I got to clinics in my third year, and that confidence has carried through into practice. Today, I am grateful to work with some of the best veterinary nurses out there.”
Now, as a member of the AERC faculty, White says her dream has come full circle. A lifelong Bulldog, she completed her undergraduate degree and DVM and now begins her career within the Mississippi State family.
“Going from undergrad to vet school to becoming faculty has been so special,” she says. “I’ve been blessed to learn from and work alongside incredible mentors like Drs. Ivey, Winstead, Yelverton, and Gowan. The mentorship I’ve received has been everything I hoped for as a new graduate.”
Growing up in the region makes White’s role at the AERC even more meaningful. She believes veterinary medicine is about more than treating animals; it’s about serving the people and the communities connected to them.
“While we treat animals, we are also there for their owners,” White says. “We serve as educators, advocates for animal welfare, and sources of compassion and support for families. It means so much to me to serve people and pets in the area I grew up in.”
Looking ahead, White hopes to inspire other CVM students considering emergency medicine or referral practice. She acknowledges that the work can be challenging, but also incredibly rewarding.
“Emergency medicine isn’t for everyone, but I truly enjoy the fast-paced environment,” she said. “Every day brings a new problem to solve and a chance to learn something different. Teamwork is probably the most important part; without it, we couldn’t function. For anyone who enjoys problem-solving and continuous learning, ER is the perfect place. Every shift teaches you something new, even after graduation.”
From her first job at the AERC front desk to her new role as a veterinarian and faculty member, for Dr. White, there is no better place to be.
Contact: Livingston Sykes
