VMCVM Alumni Spotlight: Andrew Gorman DVM '11

Andrew Gorman DVM '11, DACLAM

Deputy Chief, Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Science/NIH

How VMCVM equipped me for the 'real world'...
VMCVM gives you a lot of hands-on practical experience, especially during your fourth year. I think the overall education there is very much based on real-world practical medicine. While I didn't enjoy them at the time, I think the shifts you spend working in the ICU prepare you with the technical skills to complement and build rapport with your support staff. I always knew I wanted to go into lab animal medicine, and VMCVM didn't really have a program or support structure for that, but I think I came out as a well-rounded veterinary professional capable of succeeding in pretty much any job within the field.

Best advice I've gotten....
You don't need to know everything, you just need to know where to look up the answer.

My hidden talent...
I like to sew. Just don't expect to see me on Project Runway anytime soon. Mostly small projects.

A person who has inspired me...
Lots of people on this list, but probably my first boss after finishing my residency, Christina Winnicker. She's one of those people who showed me the ropes of being a professional adult and being an advocate for the people with whom you work.

Biggest misconception about my job or industry...
I think most of lab animal medicine is a mystery for most people. I think most people imagine us as scientists but we usually function as science facilitators. We make sure the huge variety of species housed in research environments live in biosecure and enriched environments, receive high-quality preventative and interventional medical care, and work with researchers to make sure their work is done following regulatory guidelines and up-to-date medical standards. Most of us aren't primary researchers, but we do find time to refine existing procedures within the lab animal space or develop techniques that don't exist for some of our lab species.

Words of encouragement to a current veterinary college student...
If you find yourself disappointed in veterinary medicine after you graduate, just remember there are tons of other options within the field that provide different personal and professional gratification. If you don't like your first vet career, there are plenty of options available to you with your DVM degree.

A cause I'm most passionate about...
Staff development. Honestly, it's something most people are expected to do at some point in their careers, but most of us have never had any training or mentorship in it. Be direct but kind - try to understand where people are coming from. Listening to the issues your staff, colleagues, and supervisors have and empathize with them even if you can't change the situation. A little empathy goes a long way.

Top of my bucket list...
Getting to live and work in China was a pretty awesome experience. The only big item left on my bucket list is to fly in a private jet.

My favorite quote...
If you can't say something nice, say something clever but devastating.

How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
We have one cat named Astro.

Anything else to add?
Work to live, don't live to work.