Kumble Julie - Leaders of the Pack: Women and the Future of Veterinary Medicine

W e are indebted to the women and men whose stories told in this book personify leadership and instruct future leaders that rather than a pinnacle, leadership is a sequence of decisions based on optimism and courage. We thank the staff, senior officers, and members of the AVMA Board and House of Delegatesin particular Drs. Janet Donlin, Beth Sabin, Ted Cohn, Jan Krehbiel, Anna Reddish, and Caroline Cantner. Thanks to Dr. Linda Tintle, with whom we had one of our earliest conversations about womens leadership; Dr. Doug Aspros, who emerged early as a colleague committed to doing something lasting; Dr. Karen Bradley, who put her energy into the Womens Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative (WVLDI) and brought us along on her journey; past and current WVLDI board members; Dr. Christine Navarre and board members of the North American Veterinary Community; Dr. Joni Samuels and board members of the Western Veterinary Conference; Drs. Laura Molgaard, Bob Lester, John Weale, Jenny Sones, and Raphael Malbrue; the generous staff at Banfield; Drs. Bonnie Beaver, Beth Leininger, Kate Hodgson, and Dean Eleanor Green; Erin Eldermere at Cornell University Veterinary Library; Drs. Andrew Maccabe, Lisa Greenhill, and others at the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges; Dean Tim Ogilvie and Cathy Wybern at St. Georges University; Dr. Carmen Fuentealba at Ross University; Dr. Susan Wylegala of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society; Drs. Rebecca Donnelly and David Seader, now new doctors of veterinary medicine; Drs. Sarah Peters, Andrea Dennis-LaVigne, Renee Bayha Gossett, Marike Visser, and Barbara Bucki-Ohm; and Amy Pollock, MD. Thanks to faculty and staff at Purdue University, including Dean Willie Reed, Drs. Kauline Davis, Tina Tran, Laurie Jaeger, Susan Mendrysa, Alan Beck, and Maggie OHaire. Thank-you to Purdue University Press staff, especially Peter Froehlich and Katherine Purple, for their support throughout.

We especially appreciate all the students who contributed their insights at universities, including Cornell, Iowa State, Tufts, Ross, St. Georges, Purdue, VirginiaMaryland, Louisiana State, Auburn, Lincoln Memorial, Minnesota and the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) Symposium. Finally, we thank the veterinarians and technicians who offered their time, professional perspectives, and personal kindness during the hours of interviews and reviews.

Julie gives special thanks to my dear friend, Don Smith, who made this journey possible and positively life changing. Im also grateful for the veterinarians throughout the country who welcomed me into the profession in countless ways; Carla Oleska, friend, mentor and the ultimate servant-leader; Micha Archer for her cover art and friendship; Emily Monosson for regular walks and occasional reviews; my supportive siblings and parents; and my friends who make western Massachusetts home. Thanks to Jackson for his relentless enthusiasm and our daily romps. Special acknowledgments to Elena and Nate for being the foundation of everything, and to Bruce, ultimately, for his exacting edits and constant support.

Don is grateful for the support of the faculty and administration of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine for providing an academic home for over three decades; also to the students who over the years have been a great source of inspiration and pride. To the women in my life: my mother, who understood equanimity; my daughter Debra and her growing Abby, who just do it; to newer daughters Corey and Rachel, who add joy and belonging; and to Doris, who understands the critical nature of leadership in herself and others.