Alumni Spotlight: Kendall Taney Cummings '97, DVM '02

Kendall Taney Cummings '97, DVM '02

Diplomate American Veterinary Dental College Fellow of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Owner, Center for Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery

How VMCVM equipped me for the 'real world'...

Staying organized and on top of your tasks goes a long way to help you succeed.

Best part of being a VMCVM alum...

It's a community of great people with the common goal of enhancing animal lives! I'm always proud to hear of the accomplishments of past and present members of the college.

The best advice I've gotten …

Don't waste negative energy worrying about improbable outcomes.

Hope is not a good surgical plan. :)

How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline?

Veterinarian puts back together broken faces!

My hidden talent...

Flip cup

A person who has inspired me...

My grandfather, he was a physician and a pilot in World War II. He was super smart but had his faults and he was sure to tell you about them.

Biggest misconception about my job or industry...

That we are only in it for the money.

Words of encouragement to a current veterinary college student...

These are hard times but also some of the best times of your life. Put the work in but be sure to stop and enjoy college life from time to time!

Fondest college memory or tradition...

Walking around the beautiful VT campus in the fall and of course tailgating!

A cause I'm most passionate about... The most formative experience I've had...

Relieving oral pain in animals! Going through internships and residencies were super challenging but they made me a better veterinarian. It can be hard to see that at the time but the knowledge and experience gained was worth the sacrifices.

Top of my bucket list...

Trek to Mt. Everest base camp (I won't be going to the top)

My favorite quote...

Fortune favors the bold

Being a VMCVM alumnus means...

You are part of a family that is working to make the whole world a better place for people and animals.

Anything else to add?

Go Hokies!