From the moment she graduated St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2018, Kate Williams, DVM, has been on a mission to make a difference in the world of veterinary medicine.

Specializing in zoological medicine and soft tissue surgery, she now practices at one of Ireland’s only exotic animal hospitals, where she treats everything from rare species to beloved pets. Kate’s passion for wildlife conservation has allowed her to travel around the world from working with orangutans in Indonesia to teaching veterinary students in Australia.

Looking back, she credits SGU for giving her the hands-on training and unwavering support that set her on this rewarding path, helping her confidently navigate the diverse challenges of her global veterinary career.

Learn more about her journey to become a veterinarian.

SGU: What made you pursue being a veterinarian? Why do you love your field?

Dr. Williams: I knew that I wanted to be a vet from a very young age. My mum loves animals and so we always had a lot of pets in the house. I particularly love working with big game and endangered species because I feel I am making a difference in their conservation by working with them.

SGU: What gets you up in the morning to go to work?

Dr. Williams: Every day, I am learning new skills and dealing with new animal species. This keeps the job exciting and keeps me motivated. I am also a Fear Free certified practitioner, one of the few in Ireland.

SGU: What appealed to you about working in Ireland?

Dr. Williams: I completed my clinical rotations year in Dublin, Ireland. I chose to come here because it was close to my home in England, yet still a new place and a new country. I also met my now husband during my clinical year and ended up staying here after I’d completed my rotations.

Ireland is a small country; it reminds me of Grenada a little bit actually! The veterinary community is small and everyone knows everyone, which is a nice collaborative way of working.

SGU: What has been a particularly memorable, rewarding, or challenging experience in your career so far? 

Dr. Williams: I have done a lot of trips abroad to work with wildlife; India, Thailand, Costa Rica, South Africa, Australia and Borneo. My most memorable trip was working with orangutans in Borneo. I had the opportunity to work with Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) rehabilitating orphaned orangutans. Their goal is to teach them skills that their mother would have in the wild so that they can eventually be released back into the wild. They have predominantly been orphaned by the palm oil trade. I found their work really inspiring and I decided to base my dissertation on their work for my Masters in Conservation Medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 2021.

I also work with Loop Abroad to teach pre-vet and veterinary students on courses overseas, most recently I was team leader for a pre-veterinary group at a wildlife Sanctuary in Australia, teaching them about basic veterinary topics and about the indigenous wildlife.

SGU: How do you hope to contribute to the field of veterinary medicine?

Dr. Williams: My long-term career goals would be to continue to advance my surgical skills and gain more experience with both zoological and wildlife medicine. I hope to contribute to the veterinary care of endangered species on a more full-time basis.

SGU: Why did you choose SGU? 

Dr. Williams: I chose SGU because it gave me the opportunity to obtain my veterinary degree whilst also gaining life experience of being away from home in a foreign country.

SGU: How did SGU help you achieve your dream of becoming a veterinarian?

Dr. Williams: SGU gave me an outstanding education. Particularly on the practical side, the education I received was excellent and put me at an advantage for my clinical year. Those skills gave me the confidence to excel in that year and beyond graduation. It gave me a foundation to be a better vet.

SGU: Which, if any, support services did you take advantage of at SGU?

Dr. Williams: I took advantage of the DES groups that were set up by other students to go over material and help with studying particular subjects.

SGU: Why would you recommend SGU to an aspiring vet student?

Dr. Williams: I would recommend SGU because of its excellent facilities, professors, and the fact that Grenada is a truly beautiful place to be. It was one of the best decisions I made because the experience developed me both as a person and as a budding vet.

— Published April 2025

As Adrianna Cuesta Amado, DVM ’21, grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she had two main ambitions: become a veterinarian and interact with horses on a regular basis.

“I’ve always had a deep love for all animals, but horses always fascinated me,” Dr. Cuesta Amado said. “They are such majestic creatures, so strong yet so sensitive. Their eyes are a mirror to their souls, and they perceive people’s energy like no other animal.”

Today, she can proudly say that she has accomplished both her goals, though not without encountering some obstacles.

For her first challenge, Puerto Rico did not have a veterinary school at the time she was applying. This meant that early on she had to be prepared to leave Puerto Rico and her family to achieve her goal. St. George’s University (SGU) School of Veterinary Medicine turned out to be the perfect fit according to Dr. Cuesta Amado.

Currently, she practices as an equine veterinarian specializing in racetrack medicine in Boynton Beach, FL and Saratoga Springs, NY. Dr. Cuesta Amado provides medical care to thoroughbred racehorses, even working with some of the best equine athletes and most renowned trainers and personnel in the sport, she said. Her daily responsibilities can include lameness exams, routine check-ups, emergency care, and surgical procedures as needed.

“The bonds I’ve created with some of my patients I wouldn’t trade for the world,” said the equine veterinarian. “Making my patients feel better, live healthier lives, or end their lives in the least painful, most peaceful way possible is a role I take extremely seriously.”

SGU News sat down with Dr. Cuesta Amado to learn more about her journey to becoming an equine veterinarian.

SGU: What is your favorite part of your job?

Dr. Cuesta Amado: There are many, many aspects of my job that I really love. One of my favorite parts of the job is getting to know these athletes, being able to help them feel their best, and seeing them win their races after a bit of help from me. Another equally favorite and gratifying part of my job is being able to connect with all the personnel that are involved with the horses and witnessing their love for them.

SGU: How did you tailor your education at SGU to reach your goal of becoming an equine veterinarian?

Dr. Cuesta Amado: When attending SGU, I took electives and participated in extracurriculars to gain more equine experience. Our advisor recommended Texas A&M for clinical year as that would give me the option for track equine medicine/surgery. Another thing that helped me was becoming involved in the Large Animal Society club. I started as a member and quickly saw the many opportunities to get more hands-on experiences with horses. I then became the secretary, vice president, and eventually the president of the club.

Through these experiences, I gained a lot of confidence and learned many valuable skills I got to use in my time at Texas A&M and after. That, and all the connections made throughout the process, help get me to where I am today.

SGU: Why did you choose SGU?

Dr. Cuesta Amado: I chose SGU because they have a fully accredited program with hands-on experience. SGU, to me, was the full package that allowed me to work hard in a focused, fun environment. SGU is located on the beautiful island of Grenada, and I quickly fell in love with the culture, the people of the island, and the diversity of my classmates and professors.

SGU: What was your clinical experience like at Texas A&M? How did SGU help prepare you for that?

Dr. Cuesta Amado: I had a great experience at Texas A&M. They work at a fast pace and have incredible faculty that helped me develop from vet student to veterinarian. SGU definitely prepared me for that next step with their hands-on curriculum, extracurricular opportunities, and electives. Also, the semester before going to clinicals ran in a rotation style very similar to clinical year, which was very helpful for the transition.

SGU: How did SGU help you secure and prepare for your internship at Rood & Riddle?

Dr. Cuesta Amado: SGU and Texas A&M prepared me well for any internship by providing me with all the core knowledge needed to succeed. The internship was overall a positive experience for my professional growth. I gained lots of experience in equine medicine, surgery, emergency work, lameness, diagnostic imaging, and ambulatory work.

SGU: What are your long-term goals for your career?

Dr. Cuesta Amado: I want to be the head and owner of an equine practice. I also want to continue to gain experience and polish my skills so that one day I can be one of the best equine lameness veterinarians out there.

SGU: What’s your favorite memory from your time at SGU?

Dr. Cuesta Amado: I have too many to pick one! Some of my favorite memories on the island were the extracurriculars and outings with friends. One of my favorites was the many times I participated at the One Health One Medicine clinics where we offered free veterinary services to the animals of the islands. We got to give consults, physical exams, vaccines, dewormers, and schedule spays and neuters. Later on, we would conduct spay and neuter procedures, which allowed us to practice our skills while also trying to control the population of strays on the island.

SGU: We heard that you recently got engaged to a fellow SGU alum—congratulations! Can you tell us more about your relationship and your time together at SGU?

Dr. Cuesta Amado: Thank you! The name of my fiancé and love of my life is Dr. Andy Rhim. He went to SGU School of Medicine. Despite routinely studying in the same locations without realizing it, we met at a bowling alley while attending a birthday party for a mutual friend. While my friend and I were sitting and waiting for an open lane, Andy sat next to me. He got me a drink, and the rest is history. We spent the rest of our time at SGU deepening our relationship and furthering our education. We loved exploring the island, hashing, going to the beach, going on sunset cruises, and chasing waterfalls—we reminisce about our time at SGU often!

SGU: What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing racetrack medicine?

Dr. Cuesta Amado: You should be a person that loves horses, is passionate about making them feel their best, wants to aid them in achieving their professional goals, and knows how to work under pressure. You must be able to build trust with not only the horses but the people that care for them. You must be prepared to always put the horse first and advocate for their well-being and best interest.

The best advice I could give anyone pursuing racetrack medicine is to become proficient at lameness exams and to be calm in the storm of every emergent situation. And, of course, I would encourage anyone that has a dream to be fearless in the pursuit of it. Enjoy the journey, and never give up. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Sydney Friedman, DVM ’21/MPH ’21, an associate veterinarian at Hoboken Vets Animal Clinic in Hoboken, NJ, had always known she wanted to work with animals as a child. She initially pursued her DVM degree so that she could educate others and herself about disease transmission from zoonosis and preventative methods. She then learned about the opportunity to obtain an MPH degree…. And the rest as they say is history.

SGU: Why did you pursue your dual degrees? How did that fit in with your career interests?

Dr. Friedman: In addition to the DVM degree, an MPH degree gives a different perspective on disease prevention and control.  I also learned about the One Health initiative throughout my time at SGU. This initiative not only connects humans and animals, but the environment as well through disease, medicine, and conservation. By obtaining my MPH, I have gained additional knowledge of these diseases affecting humans, animals, and the environment, which has allowed me to expand my veterinary career in ways I didn’t think were possible.

SGU: How are you using your DVM and MPH degrees now?

Dr. Friedman: As a small animal general practitioner, I am in the position to educate my clientele about the importance of preventative medicine. I am continuously educating my clients on vaccines, disease processes, disease control, as well as disease spread. I am also accredited by the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] to write health certificates for international travel, allowing for additional conversations surrounding regional diseases. Having both a DVM and an MPH gives me the knowledge needed for these conversations.

SGU: How do your dual degrees give you a unique advantage over other veterinarians?

Dr. Friedman: In the veterinary field, having a dual degree allows for additional opportunities. Although we as veterinarians are all trained on zoonotic disease, I believe my additional knowledge of disease and how it affects not only animals, but also humans and the environment, gives me an advantage over other veterinarians. I can see things from a different perspective and use my knowledge to better my community.

SGU: Which faculty members were instrumental in helping you obtain those degrees?

Dr. Friedman: For my MPH, Dr. Satesh Bidaisee was instrumental in my decision to pursue this dual degree. He helped to keep me motivated when things became difficult. Dr. Victor Amadi was another person who helped me immensely during my MPH degree. He was my research mentor, helping me finish my capstone project on pseudomonal aeruginosa in dogs and cats at the small animal clinic on campus.

For my DVM, I have so many people to thank. Dr. Anne Corrigan, Dr. Tara Paterson, Dr. Talia Guttin, and Dr. Rhonda Pinckney were instrumental in getting me through the challenging curriculum at SGU. Honestly, each one of my professors were amazing. I would not be the veterinarian I am today without their expertise in all things medical and surgical for the plethora of species we need to know to be a successful veterinarian.

SGU: What is one piece of key advice you would give to students who are considering a dual degree DVM path?

Dr. Friedman: Be passionate about what you want in life. People are going to try to dissuade you from this career. Don’t listen to them, and don’t give up. Things are going to get tough, sometimes hectic, but if this is something you are passionate about, continue to work for it. And always remember, work hard play harder.

As a board-certified dentist and oral surgeon, Dr. Chanda Miles, DVM ’06, has treated all types of animals for their oral health—including tigers, an Asian small-clawed otter, an American River otter, chimpanzees, a Silverback gorilla, gibbons, opossums, skunks, and chinchillas, not to mention cats and dogs.

Dr. Miles credits St. George’s University for helping her become comfortable with surgical procedures. At SGU, “we were able to perform a large amount and variety of general surgeries that helped me shape my love for surgery and later form my decision to pursue dentistry and oral surgery,” Dr. Miles said.

Earlier this year, Dr. Miles and a colleague co-opened Veterinary Dentistry Specialists in Katy, Texas to answer the high demand for pet oral care in the greater Houston area.

Dr. Miles didn’t set out to be a veterinary dentist at first. While working as a new veterinarian, she was tasked with overseeing several dentistry procedures a day but found herself frequently asking for help from colleagues since she had little dentistry training. She wanted to learn more and decided to attend an intense three-day weekend course to learn “everything that I could about dentistry for animals,” Dr. Miles recalled.

“It was then that I realized I had a passion for dentistry and oral surgery. It was calming and came easy to me,” she said. To refine her skills, she pursued a residency in the specialty at the University of Wisconsin in Madison—and the rest, as they say, was history.

Dr. Miles spoke to SGU News about why she is passionate about dentistry, new technology in the field that improves her patient care, and what advice she would give to new veterinary students just starting out.

St. George’s University: What types of patients do you see and what are some examples of the procedures that you perform?  

Dr. Miles: I work with primarily cats and dogs, but we can treat exotic patients if they are in need.  I love working with large cats such as tigers, leopards, etc.

I treat all kinds of conditions: I perform procedures in periodontics, endodontics (root canals), oral surgery (extractions, jaw fracture repair, surgical resections, prosthodontics (crowns), orthodontics, and oral medicine.

SGU: Why are you passionate about the vet dentistry field?  

Dr. Miles: It gives me instant gratification of accomplishing something good for the patient who benefits remarkably from it. When patients have a healthy, comfortable mouth they can have an excellent quality of life. It isn’t a discipline that is taught readily in vet school so I’m also passionate about teaching it appropriately to general practitioners as well.

SGU: Tell us about your new clinic.  

Dr. Miles: VDS is a stand-alone specialty dentistry and oral surgery practice with a full-time board-certified anesthesiologist. We offer advanced imaging (cone beam CT) and are equipped with modern anesthesia monitoring equipment.

My colleague, Dr. Carlos Rice, opened the first VDS in Mt. Laurel, NJ and then a second one with another colleague in Chadds Ford, PA. Dr. Rice and I decided that opening one in the greater Houston area (where I live) would be a great addition to the VDS family. There is a big demand for dentistry in Houston’s pet population.

SGU: What is the most challenging part of the job? 

Dr. Miles: On a day-to-day basis it’s keeping the flow of the day manageable.  One patient can throw a curve ball in the whole day with unexpected pathology that needs treatment. Because we provide outpatient care, it’s important to treat our patients with completeness, but also make sure they have enough recovery time to be discharged adequately.

My other big challenge that I face at times is treating complicated maxillofacial traumas in young dogs.  These can be very difficult to treat when they have both deciduous and permanent dentition at the same time and are still growing.

SGU: What new technology or procedures have developed to help you do your job?

Dr. Miles: Cone beam CT has been a game changer for me. This is an imaging modality that allows me to render 3D images of my patient’s skull for complete evaluation of maxillofacial trauma. It also gives me precise images for small things such as early endodontic lesions. The imaging is crystal clear and helps me understand the extent of pathology in many facets.

What made you pursue veterinary medicine? 

Dr. Miles: It sounds cliché, but I’ve always wanted to be a veterinarian since I was little.  At the minimum I knew I wanted to pursue something in the medical field.

SGU: How has your training at SGU helped you succeed, specifically in your specialized career?

Dr. Miles: Having spent time at two separate universities for my clinical year and residency, I was around many specialists that were teaching students and the SGU professors were far more compassionate in their teaching and encouragement to us.

One of the key takeaways in my training at SGU was surgical preparation. We were able to perform a large amount and variety of general surgeries that helped me shape my love for surgery and later form my decision to pursue dentistry and oral surgery.

SGU: What was your clinical year like at Kansas State University? What takeaway would you pass on to students?

Dr. Miles: I absolutely loved Kansas State! Every clinician and student was so incredibly nice at this school. I learned so much on each and every rotation.

The biggest takeaway from my clinical year that I would pass on to students would be to participate in every rounds session and conversation that you have. The clinicians want you to be engaged.

SGU: What would you say to an aspiring vet student considering going to SGU? 

Dr. Miles: Do it! It’s an experience of a lifetime and you will get an education like nowhere else in the US!  SGU provided me with so much more than my degree and I loved that the school offered flexible matriculation. I didn’t want to wait another year to apply to vet school.

What’s it like to work as a veterinarian serving rural farmland communities in New Zealand? Just ask Elizabeth Flatt, BSc, DVM ’20, who grew up in Georgia and is now an associate veterinarian at VetSouth in Gore, New Zealand.

St. George’s University: Why did you choose to move to New Zealand?

Dr. Flatt: I asked Google! I remember being in my clinical year at Mississippi State University, sitting at a local coffee shop, trying to decide what I was going to do next. Veterinary medicine is so versatile, and as a new grad you are especially malleable. So, I focused on location and extracurricular activities. I wanted to live abroad—specifically somewhere where I could kitesurf and snowboard within a two-hour drive. Google said New Zealand.

It was great timing! I arrived pre-COVID, and this has been the place to be. Thanks, Google!

SGU: What types of animals do you treat there?

Dr. Flatt: VetSouth is a mixed-animal practice that is a part of the VetNZ Ltd., where the philosophy is all about looking after our team, providing premium animal welfare, and making rural communities better by giving back to the regions that support us. This also means that many of our veterinarians are shareholders, ensuring the focus stays local, and our animals, clients, and people are prioritized. I have been with this company for 18 months now and they remain true to their philosophy.

The large animal work is primarily cattle, sheep, horses, and even deer. We also treat pigs and camelids on occasion.

The small animal work is primarily working dogs. Huntaways and heading dogs seem to be Kiwi farmers’ breeds of choice. They are New Zealand-originated breeds. They are especially needed in hill country where not even four-wheelers or horses can easily maneuver. That said, in the last decade, pets such as dogs, cats, exotics, and chickens have increasingly made a presence here—sadly, no snakes as there are none in New Zealand.

SGU: As an associate veterinarian, what are some of the key responsibilities that you have?

Dr. Flatt: In Gore, there are four strictly “smallie” vets, with me as the only full-time small animal veterinarian. The closest specialist referral center is nearly seven hours away in Christchurch. So, oftentimes, you and your team are the only option. Fortunately, we have a wide variety of diagnostic and surgical capabilities. We have CR and DR x-rays, ultrasound, scopes, in-house blood machines, etc.

My main areas of specialty include ultrasound procedures, reproductive assistance, soft tissue surgery, and internal and emergency medicine. I have been receiving referrals from surrounding clinics to perform various ultrasound and ultrasound-guided procedures. Also, I do a significant amount of artificial insemination around the Southland and Otago regions to help with breeding.

SGU: Best day so far at the clinic?

Dr. Flatt: It was around 7:30pm when the emergency text came through: “Cat stuck in grill.” A cat got struck by a vehicle and became lodged in the grill of the car. There was a penetrating chest wound that had to get surgically closed. It was merely a puncture from the outside. From the inside, however, the whole intercostal space was shredded top to bottom. I had to wire the adjacent ribs together and place a chest drain. The best part is that the surgery was a success and the cat lives on. The coolest part is that I felt a beating heart.

SGU: What excites you about practicing veterinary medicine?

Dr. Flatt: The absolute best is being able to fix a patient and get them back home and into action. The second-best part is providing those unfixable patients with a quality of life for their remaining time. This, ultimately, makes you an integral part of their family and business. I love being able to serve people in such ways.

SGU: What is an issue in the field of veterinary medicine that is important to you?

Dr. Flatt: Improving work-life balance. Being an American, I work until I burn out. New Zealanders are huge on work-life balance. We have built-in “tea breaks” twice a day and a one-hour lunch break. Sure, we may not always get those breaks, but this is a priority implemented by VetSouth and our managers. I admire this and wish more of the international veterinary industry prioritized this.

SGU: Three key qualities to be a good veterinarian?

Dr. Flatt: Critical thinking, people skills, and adaptability.

SGU: What are your plans for the future? 

Dr. Flatt: In the immediate future: I am here until at least July 2023. Over the long term, I would love to open my own specialty veterinary clinic and further my seedstock operation.

SGU: How did SGU prepare you for a career as a veterinarian?

Dr. Flatt: SGU provided me with a solid foundation of veterinary medicine. It is impossible to teach a student everything about veterinary medicine. Every case is unique. Veterinarians must rely on their foundation to develop a plan on how to best approach each case.

SGU: Best piece of advice for SVM students?

Dr. Flatt: Take time to enjoy the present. As a student we often get so fixated on what’s to come that we neglect to appreciate what’s around us now.