Kimberly Carney, DVM, took the long route to go from Harrogate, Tennessee, to Harrogate, Tennessee.
Dr. Carney, the former owner of Harrogate Hospital for Animals, moved in 2014 to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to take a faculty position at Gabriel Rene Moreno University. This month, the Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine reported that she was returning to become a clinical veterinarian at the DeBusk Veterinary Teaching Center in nearby Ewing, Virginia.
“I think what has shaped my teaching philosophy or ability to relate to all students is the four years spent teaching in South America,” Dr. Carney said. “Living with cross-cultural stress and learning how to deal with diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds has provided me with insight to assist students not just with their clinical skills, but also their personal development.”
She will supervise fourth-year veterinary students during their small animal rotation. She also will participate in small and large animal clinical and professional skills labs for all classes, according to the university.
“I have always been passionate about teaching students real-life skills they will need to be ready for practice,” the University of Georgia veterinary college graduate said.
“Aside from the normal clinical rotations and labs, I am working on some ideas for international experiences and collaboration for students and faculty.”
Dr. Carney’s stay in Bolivia was organized through Christian Veterinary Mission. Her work also has taken her to Honduras, Kenya, Nepal and Thailand.