VetCat Graduation Stories: Catherine Wu

Third-year students at The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine are preparing to embark on a new journey as graduation approaches. Our VetCats are celebrating the paths that have brought them here and looking forward to the exciting endeavors in store for them. After completing the didactic portion of their education, which was full of hands-on opportunities to engage in team-based learning, students ventured into clinical settings. They refined their clinical and professional skills and learned from experienced veterinarians who model the veterinary profession daily.

Pursuing her Passion

Catherine Wu, an upcoming graduate, shared her experiences as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine candidate. She intends to work in emergency medicine and will begin an internship in the field after graduation. Her experiences as a student connected her with her internship opportunity. She is prepared to enter the emergency medicine field with confidence as a day-one-ready veterinarian.

Can you tell us about your upcoming internship?

CW: I am going to be joining Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in Chandler, AZ post-graduation as part of their early entry track/New ER Doctor (NERD) program. The Veterinary Emergency Group early entry track program is a 6-month non-traditional internship program solely focused on emergency medicine. I first heard about it through my friend who was our school's VEG ambassador.

What skills do you look forward to gaining from this experience?

CW: I look forward to gaining further training in surgery, endoscopy and ultrasound! 

Reflecting on Her Inspiration and Experiences

Catherine’s passion for emergency medicine drives her to solve problems and connect with the families who bring their animals into the clinic. Her experiences at the College of Veterinary Medicine have prepared her to be an asset in an emergency medicine setting. Between the hands-on clinical skills training she has undergone and the professional skills training she has experienced, Catherine has developed and honed vital skills for interacting with clients and providing high quality veterinary care.

During her clinical year, she encountered opportunities to be a part of strong teams and learn from various veterinary organizations’ strengths. She will bring her wealth of educational experience into her new role and further develop her skills throughout her internship.

What inspired you to pursue emergency medicine?

CW: Emergency medicine excites me. There is a wide variety of very interesting cases that can come in. Aside from the medical aspect, I find it very rewarding to help sick patients and comfort their owners when an unprecedented event has occurred. 

What advice would you give a first-year student? 

CW: I would tell a first-year student to enjoy the moment. Vet school is very fun and time goes by faster than you'd think.