Andrew Kushnir, DVM ’19, traveled to Poland in late March to provide on-the-ground support for refugees—and their pets—who have evacuated from war-torn Ukraine.

Andrew Kushnir, DVM ’19, felt a greater calling to help those in need. Dr. Kushnir, a graduate of St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, traveled to Poland in late March to provide on-the-ground support for refugees—and their pets—who have evacuated from war-torn Ukraine.

Dr. Kushnir, a staff veterinarian at San Diego, CA-based Project Wildlife, teamed with nonprofit organization International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAWglobal) to assist shelters, sanctuaries, and zoos as they handle the influx of animals needing care. He shared why he felt the need to contribute to the relief efforts in the region.

St. George’s University: Where are you located and how did you get involved with IFAWglobal?

Dr. Kushnir: I am currently deployed with IFAW at the Ukrainian-Polish border crossing in Medyka, Poland. When the war in Ukraine started, I immediately started reaching out to every organization I could find that was providing support for animals in conflict.

SGU: Was it a difficult decision to make this commitment?

Dr. Kushnir: My father and his family were once refugees fleeing Ukraine during World War II, and I knew that I had to step up in whatever capacity I could to help support people fleeing conflict. We veterinarians don’t just help animals; we also help people through animals.

Being here on the border providing food, water, pet carriers, food bowls, fresh bedding, and warm clothes to pets really makes a huge impact on refugees. Along with getting the peace of mind of a vet looking over their animals, these displaced people have a little bit less to have to worry about as they move onwards to their next destination.

SGU: How will your training as a veterinarian translate to field medicine like this and on people?

Dr. Kushnir: Veterinarians are used to working in scenarios where one has to get creative with the tools available to achieve the most optimal outcome. So triaging stressed, injured, and sick animals out of a tent approximately 100 feet from the border of a war-ravaged country isn’t totally out of the scope of what I and other veterinarians are trained to do.

SGU: How would you describe your emotions now that you’re seeing the strife firsthand?

Dr. Kushnir: Since being here at the refugee camp, I have felt the full kaleidoscope of human emotions. Every moment here, I am surrounded by an endless stream of people seeking shelter and safety from war, who have had to pack their entire lives into a few suitcases and grocery bags. When they reach the refugee camp, volunteers of humanitarian organizations from all over the world greet them with smiles, warm food and drink, and the assurance that they are safe. For many folks, their pet is family and a great comfort at this time so being able to provide veterinary and supportive care to their critters is an exceptionally profound service to offer.

SGU: Have you done any sort of field medicine like this before?

Dr. Kushnir: Working at animal shelters and wildlife centers, I have a lot of experience treating a variety of animals in field conditions, but working in a refugee camp is a first for me.

SGU: What characteristics does a doctor—of any type—need to have to be able to handle field medicine like this?

Dr. Kushnir: There are many qualities I think a veterinarian/doctor needs to have if they want to feel comfortable working in field/disaster relief settings.

• Being exceptionally resourceful is important because you’ll need to adapt to a potentially ever-changing environment. For example, the tent you’re examining a scared cat inside of suddenly collapses under the weight of pouring rain and strong winds!
• Being OK with not having the best tools or medicines available but still being able to tackle the problem as best as you can.
• Knowing that limitations will surely arise, but nevertheless staying positive and focused on getting the job done.

SGU: How has your training at SGU prepared you for this type of front line aid?

Dr. Kushnir: Studying at SGU and living in Grenada definitely helped me build up not just my foundation of knowledge and comfort in a clinical setting, but it also fostered a passion for wanting to work with the most vulnerable animal populations in whatever environment they’re found. The investment is great, and the rewards are greater!

— Laurie Chartorynsky

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Students and graduates of St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine will go on to take the next step in their careers this spring.  Forty-two SGU-trained veterinarians will begin specialized training in both internship and residency positions, according to 2022 data from the Veterinary Internship & Residency Matching Program (VIRMP).

SGU students and grads achieved an overall match rate of 76 percent which compares favorably to the average match rate for all schools—including US schools. SGU’s match rate is also highest among Caribbean veterinary schools.

“We are thrilled that so many SGU veterinary graduates will be able to enhance their training through these exciting internship and residency opportunities,” said Dr. Neil Olson, dean of the SVM. “We wish them the best of luck as they start their postgraduate learning and know they are committed to their profession and to providing excellent animal care.”

Starting in June, newly matched graduates will continue their advanced training in fields such as large animal surgery, neurology, oncology, emergency medicine, and exotic animals, among others. These positions are situated at such prestigious institutions as Tufts University, University of Florida, Cornell University, and Michigan State University and several other universities within the SVM’s network of clinical affiliates.

Students and grads expressed their excitement at starting their upcoming postgraduate positions.

Gurcharan Chrai, DVM ‘21
Emergency and Critical Care
University of Florida

“When I was in vet school, I was sure that I wanted to pursue zoo medicine. During my small animal rotating internship, I became drawn to ECC. I am fascinated with the medicine and the complexity of the cases. With much encouragement from my mentors, I decided to go for it and am so excited that I matched at my first choice!”

Tori Cleaver, DVM ‘21
Dermatology
Animal Dermatology Clinic, Tustin, CA

“I initially found myself drawn to dermatology at SGU during the classroom lecture series as well as the sixth term dermatology selective. That interest developed into a passion as I began to see cases during my clinical year at the University of Florida and my rotating internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC. My special interests within the field include allergic diseases and cutaneous manifestations of systemic diseases. I cannot wait for the next chapter in my career as I achieve my dream of becoming a veterinary dermatologist!”

Lelia Barden, DVM ’20
Radiology
Ohio State

“When I started veterinary school, I wanted to be a surgeon. My passion for radiology started in my third year when I was doing an equine externship in Kentucky. The mentor I was working with took me to the Fasig-Tipton sales for thoroughbreds. I loved every moment and saw a lot of myself in my mentor. Since then, I’ve pursued a path in radiology. My area of interest is in musculoskeletal ultrasound for horses and small animals.”

– Paul Burch

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Students and graduates of St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine who identify as Black or African American are keenly aware that they are on the vanguard of a field of medicine where they have been traditionally underrepresented. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black or African American-employed veterinarians make up just 1.2 percent of the total employed in this occupation.

In honor of Black History Month, SGU News spoke with several students and a graduate from the School of Veterinary Medicine about what inspired them to take up veterinary medicine, the challenges of being a minority in the field, and how they can bring new meaning to the celebration of Black History Month. Our panel included:

• Shannon Carmichael, DVM ’10, Forever Vets Animal Hospital, Jacksonville, FL,
• Term 5 SVM student Antonia M. Nickleberry, president of SGU’s Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment (VOICE), and
• Term 5 SVM student Teylor Nealy, vice president of VOICE.

St. George’s University: What inspired you to enter the field of veterinary medicine? 

Dr. Shannon Carmichael: Despite no one in my family being in the medical/veterinary field or growing up with pets, I developed a passion for healthcare and animals at a very young age.

Antonia M. Nickleberry: I have always had a passion for animals and their welfare. As a child, I was surrounded by animals of various species and saw the love they harbored for humans. Today, I’m more aware of the importance of mental health and the connection animals have to the mental stability of many of us. It’s so important to care for animals because that, in turn, is being there and caring for the humans who love them.

Teylor Nealy: I have never wanted to do anything else. I have always had a keen interest in animals and the multitude of species, each having their own unique characteristics. During this journey my shadowing experiences have afforded me the ability to hone-in on the specific field in which I want to begin my career, which is emergency medicine. It has not been an easy journey, but it has been humbling and rewarding in so many ways. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me.

Dr. Shannon Carmichael, DVM ’10, Forever Vets Animal Hospital, Jacksonville, FL

SGU: What do you see as the biggest challenges ahead for Black women in veterinary medicine?

Dr. Carmichael: As a member of a minority, one of the greatest challenges is overcoming stereotypes and negative perceptions, especially along the path to becoming a veterinarian. There is a constant need to prove yourself worthy of a client’s trust and occasional awkward pauses when you introduce yourself as the doctor.

Ms. Nickleberry: Assuming leadership positions at major veterinary hospitals and businesses is a major challenge. Having people of color in leadership positions there will result in increased representation, which can lead to more opportunity for those within those populations. This is what will drive the increase of diversity that we need within the field of veterinary medicine.

Another challenge we face is respect from not only clients, but also our colleagues. Women, overall, have constant struggles with respect in the workplace. I believe these challenges can only be alleviated if those in authoritative positions within the field take a firm, no-tolerance stand against any client, customer, or colleague that treats their employees differently based on their race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, etc.

Ms. Nealy: I feel the best way to fight prejudices and biases is to have an open and honest dialogues even though that is typically uncomfortable for so many people. I can personally attest to incidents I have experienced in past workplaces such as microaggressions and passive prejudices. In one instance, I reported an incident to the manager on duty and she merely replied, “Wow that sucks.” Yes, it sucked, but I wanted to know what she was going to do about it. I felt devalued and witnessed how acceptable this type of behavior is to most people. She truly had no idea how I felt at that very moment as a person and a professional.

Antonia M. Nickleberry, SVM student and VOICE president

SGU: What are some of the positive changes you are witnessing in terms of opportunity and respect for Black veterinarians?

Dr. Carmichael: I am seeing more engagement and veterinary companies becoming involved in Black History Month and Black Lives Matter movements. There are also more veterinary tv shows that feature African American and other minorities. As the veterinary industry and mainstream media brings light to minorities in the industry more opportunities will become available.

Black History Month: SOM students and grads hope to inspire next generation of doctors

SGU: During your time serving as president of VOICE, what are some of the positive changes (in terms of opportunity, respect in the field, etc.) that you witnessed (perhaps among your fellow students or the field at large)?

Ms. Nickleberry: In my time serving as president of VOICE of SGU, the field has begun to make a shift in understanding the need for and importance of diversity within the field of veterinary medicine. With diversity comes shared cultures, traditions, and ideas that can bring us together, which will allow us to be better healthcare providers to our patients.

Teylor Nealy, SVM student and VOICE vice president

SGU: How will you celebrate Black History Month?

Dr. Carmichael: Black History Month is important to me because it is the culmination of the contributions of all different types of people. And recognizing the perspectives and contributions of different groups of people will help us appreciate diversity, defeat stereotypes, and understand our mistakes as a community and build on our successes. I enjoy celebrating black history month by sharing a daily black history fact with friends and families.

Ms. Nealy: I will celebrate Black History Month by reminding myself of how far our people have come. I am grateful every month for the sacrifices my people made to pave the way for me to make it possible for me to pursue my dreams. My dreams are a way for me to show my gratitude to the many who made and paid the ultimate sacrifice.  I am honored to be able to build a legacy for my family and be a role model for little Black girls to look up to, never allowing them to forget our struggles.

— Paul Burch

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VOICE: Championing diversity in the veterinary profession at the student level

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