VMCVM Faculty Spotlight: Sharon Dunn '94

Sharon Dunn '94

Assistant Director, Hospital Information Systems

When did you join the veterinary college?
In the stone ages -- July of 1994

The best part of being a faculty is?
I have been part of this college for more than half of my life. I began in an emergency hire position as soon as I graduated from Virginia Tech and filled in roles all over the VTH. Since then I have transitioned to working for the college and have learned the extraordinary work that takes place under the College of Veterinary Medicine umbrella. I get to work with folks in the VTH, EMC and ACCRC as well as various Administrative areas of the college. It is amazing to be a part of something bigger that makes the world a better place and to collaborate with the people who make that happen!

Best advice I've gotten...
Most of the best advice in my life came from my grandmother. She was one of the hardest-working women I have ever met and she taught me the value of having a strong work ethic. Anytime I would get "too big for my britches" she would remind me that my main job in this life is to leave everyone I have the opportunity to meet better than I found them. I try to start each day with that mindset. I might not be able to fix every problem I encounter, but I can leave folks better than I found them with a smile, a kind word, or a bit of uplifting encouragement ... or something covered in cheese in a 9 by 13 casserole dish!

How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline?
I doubt that the things I do would ever warrant a newspaper headline but if it did it would probably say something like "What happens in the CVM analyst office you ask? Their goal is to solve problems before people even know they have them."

My hidden talent...
If you have met me, you know there isn't much about my life that is hidden. I am a bit of an open book, just ask anyone who works with me! Outside of work, I am an avid gardener, beekeeper, and wannabe homesteader. I have been known to carry in 5-gallon buckets of produce to distribute around the college most days in the summer, and always try to keep a couple of extra jars of honey in my office for potential visitors. I sing to my plants and like to cook for stress relief.

A person who has inspired me...
I have had so many inspirations in my life, but my grandmother is the person who inspired me the most. She only had a 10th grade education but was the wisest of women. She managed a working farm, made clothing and quilts, canned all of our food and jams, and raised chickens, pigs, and cows to feed our family. She knitted sweaters and made butter from our cow's milk to sell to help bring in additional income. Even though she never worked outside the home, she worked harder than anyone I have ever met. Even with her limited education, she taught me to read the bible and made the words of its scriptures come alive. She never complained about the hard work, she simply kept the needs of our extended family met with grace and love.

Words of encouragement to a current veterinary college student...
You can do the hard things. Setting a goal as big as becoming a veterinarian comes with a whole set of fears, trial and error, and learning to celebrate each small victory. Remember to be present in whatever you are doing and enjoy the ride rather than living in fear of failure. Every day remind yourself that today is a good day for a good day!

One misconception that all students seem to have is?
I think imposter syndrome is a big hurdle for a lot of students. They feel as if they are not smart enough, important enough, or skilled enough to be veterinarians soon. That is so far from the truth. Our students are enough and the faculty and staff in this building love to see you succeed. We have all the faith that you will make a huge difference on our planet.

If I had a superpower, it would be...
Healing the deep hurts of others. As a deeply empathic person, I want to be able to reach back into a person's past and heal the hurts that become stumbling blocks in their lives. I wish I had a superpower hug that just made the pain go away.

This excites me the most about the future of my industry...
The future of veterinary medicine holds so many exciting innovations. Getting to watch our clinical faculty and staff treat an animal with a slim chance of survival and then watch that pet return home to their owners against all odds is amazing. I get to work with people from EMC, the VTH and ACCRC and I see the "think out of the box" mentality to use new techniques, treatment options, and clinical trials to move us forward with a full One health approach and change the lives of pets and their families.

A cause I'm most passionate about...
Addressing mental health issues is a passion for me. There is still a stigma around it being OK to not be OK. I believe it is important to truly see people, to be present, and to provide a safe place for people to land when they are struggling.

Favorite way to end the day...
I like to make sure my counters are clean and the sink is empty before I go to bed. If it doesn't happen before I go to sleep it is the FIRST THING I do when my feet hit the floor. I am kind of weird that way.

Top of my bucket list...
I have a lot of bucket lists! I just returned from a trip to the Virgin Islands to snorkel with my husband Mike and my grown sons, Drew and Alex, which checked off one of them. My big item is to have a mini homestead where I can grow all the things and keep my bees (which are the superior species in my opinion) thriving.

My favorite quote...
I love Corrie Ten Boom. The story of her resilience in life is awe-inspiring. While reflecting on her time in a German concentration camp during World War II, she said: "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength." Her attitude toward the importance of living in the moment with hope is amazing.

How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
When my mom passed away in December of 2022, we inherited her favorite child, Princess Leia. She is an old lady who likes to eat, sleep and cuddle. My husband "wasn't a dog person"... until Leia came to live with us. Now she is the queen of the house!