VMCVM Alumni and Faculty Spotlight: Virginia Edwards
Virginia Lee Edwards '07, DVM '12
Collegiate Assistant Professor and Service Chief, Animal Care for Education
When did you join the veterinary college?
As a student from 2007-2012 and as faculty in 2016.
The best part of being a faculty is?
Hands down, the students. They are so motivated to learn and grow, and sometimes just need a little help understanding mechanisms to get to that lightbulb moment. The students constantly remind me of how cool the things are that we get to do in veterinary medicine, and I love watching them develop and mentoring them during their short time here at VMCVM and beyond.
Best advice I've gotten...
No good deed goes unpunished — Otto Lanz. I recognize this advice is not original to him, but he gave it to me as an early faculty member, and it has stuck. It reminds me that, despite my best efforts, I will not be able to make everyone happy. Nonetheless, I should still try my best, and let go of the things I cannot control.
How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline?
Faculty Member Teaches in Vet School Basement, where Fun and Learning Abound!
My hidden talent...
I love to bake lots of things, and I sing. Pre-Covid I sang in a bluegrass band, and placed at the Galax Fiddler's Convention.
A person who has inspired me...
My Mom. She retired as an elementary school teacher, and taught me a lot about being a good educator. Those skills cross into not only being a good teacher, but also a good mom, wife, and friend. Her patience and generosity shaped me into who I am.
Words of encouragement to a current veterinary college student...
You belong here, and you can do this. Many students have this knowledge when they get the acceptance letter to VMCVM, but then they forget it when things get tough. We believe in you, and are here to support you along the way!
One misconception that all students seem to have is?
To work as a veterinarian in academia, one has to love being a student. This is not true when thinking about being a veterinary student, where the stakes are high and the classes more demanding than ever. Yes, working in academia does challenge you to learn and grow, but you get to choose much more what to learn about, and at a much slower pace.
If I had a superpower, it would be...
Magically cure disease with the touch of my hands. From colds to cancer, I could stop it all!
This excites me the most about the future of my industry...
We are more diverse than we have ever been, and that diversity and inclusion elevates us to higher grounds.
A cause I'm most passionate about...
Breast cancer awareness/testing/research/cure. It has affected my family and myself greatly, and I want to encourage everyone to be aware of the genetic testing, survelliance, and treatment options that exist.
Favorite way to end the day...
Reading a book with my husband, who is amazing at giving foot rubs and spoils me rotten with them routinely.
Top of my bucket list...
I love Hawaii, and pretty much always want to go, again and again. I'd also love to visit New Zealand.
My favorite quote...
"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." Stephen Grellet
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
Two dogs — Maggie, who is a retired animal instructor. She loves me the most. Shadow, who is a current animal instructor, and loves every single person he meets. One fish — Foogoo, who is my oldest son's first pet.
