Externship Experience

Submitted by SAVMA Externship Grant Recipient Katie Broikos, Cornell University

This past spring, I completed a veterinary externship at the Mississippi Aquarium (MSAQ) in Gulfport, Mississippi. It was my first experience working in an aquarium, and I loved it. Throughout the externship, I worked with MSAQ’s veterinary team to provide medical care for a wide range of species, including sharks, eels, dolphins, penguins, and sea turtles. I performed physical exams, blood draws, and necropsies; assisted with various imaging modalities (radiographs, ultrasound, CT scans, endoscopy); evaluated diagnostic tests; and administered medications. I also gained practical knowledge in husbandry protocols and participated in one of the aquarium’s cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtle releases. One of the highlights of my externship was attending the 2025 International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM) Conference, hosted by MSAQ. The conference presented current research and clinical practices in aquatic medicine, while providing networking opportunities with veterinary professionals and students. This externship broadened my clinical skills and deepened my interest in aquatic and wildlife medicine.