Introducing your SAVMA Global Public Health Officer Claire McPhee

Name, Position on EB: Claire McPhee, Global & Public Health Officer

School and Year: North Carolina State University Class of 2012

Hometown: Iowa City, IA (born in Chicago!)

Your area of interest within veterinary medicine: Ruminant medicine (dairy cows!)

Description of what your office entails: Working with the SAVMA One Health Challenging working group to help facilitate One Health Challenge events/activities at veterinary schools. I will also help to choose a new One Health Challenge Initiative topic as it changes every 2 years. I am also the liaison between the SAVMA Executive Board and the SAVMA Public Health & Community Outreach Committee. Finally, I continually work to develop One Health/public health connections to seek additional opportunities for veterinary students.

Your favorite thing about holding that office: Public health, One health, and global health issues are some of the most dynamic and exciting facing the veterinary profession, and I am pleased to be involved with them.

Something exciting that your office is doing/has done for vet students this past year:

 Along with the OHC working group, we have started our Vector-Borne Disease Initiative. We have an exciting new logo (watch for the big blue mosquito) and are working on materials to help schools plan OHC events!

Your favorite SCAVMA related experience thus far (EB or not): I have really valued the relationships, both personal and professional, that have been made possible through many SAVMA meetings and House of Delegates Sessions. It is incredibly rewarding to meet and get to know such motivated and enthusiastic veterinary students from around the country. 

Something fun about yourself: I just ran my second marathon during veterinary school! Following a training plan helps to ensure that I will prioritize exercise in addition to coursework and extracurricular activities. Also - a shout out to my husband Chris who has been completely supportive during the last three years and through all of my SAVMA duties. His dedication to taking care of the dogs and cooking dinner every night has made life so much easier - and I wouldn't have made it this far without his support!