VMCVM Alumni Spotlight: Kristin Eden
Kristin Eden 06', DVM '10, PhD '18
Associate Professor, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM)
Anatomic Pathologist, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM)
How VMCVM equipped me for the 'real world'...
By exposing me to a wide variety of people and specialties, and learning how to play well with others. Nobody is an island, especially in medicine. Learning how to work in team environments with people who may have diverse skillsets and experiences is critical to your development as both a veterinarian and as a person.
Best part of being a VMCVM alum...
I had excellent, compassionate teaching modeled for me, and it made me a better professor when I stepped into those shoes. VMCVM has some of the most caring professors who want their students to succeed, both as people and veterinarians. I carry that with me, whether I'm teaching MD students or DVM students.
Best advice I've gotten....
Never give 100% of yourself all the time. Because if you do, running at 100% becomes your new baseline. That is a one way ticket to burnout. Know when to conserve versus apply your energy in the workplace and try to make time for yourself.
How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline...
Veterinary pathologist teaches at medical school: "No big deal, it's just one more species!"
My hidden talent...
I play ice hockey! I figure-skated when I was young, and picked up hockey in my mid-30s. It's never too late to try new things. I am small, but I am feisty!
A person who has inspired me...
I cannot pick just one, so all of my colleagues in the Department of Basic Science Education here at VTCSOM. I was a brand new faculty member in my first "big girl" job and I was very intimidated at first, especially teaching at a medical school as a veterinarian. I had very little large-group teaching experience and they all helped me immensely and were so supportive.
What did you learn at the college that you never thought you would benefit from?
I took a class called "Language and Logic" where we learned about logical fallacies and how to break down verbal and written arguments using mathematics to prove them right or wrong. It was fascinating but at the time I didn't think I would use it much beyond that. However, that one class ended up being something I use every day when reading research papers.
Biggest misconception about my job or industry...
For veterinary pathology, people tend to think of path as this mysterious, impersonal lab that you drop samples off at and get a report back. They forget that we are veterinarians too, maybe just a bit hidden away.
Words of encouragement to a current veterinary college student...
It is okay if you fail. It is okay if you mess up. We are all human and fallible. Don't feel like you have to be perfect at everything, because you do not have to be and nobody is. The thing you have to strive for is to develop self-forgiveness rather than perfection, because if you strive for perfection you will always be disappointed. I know it's very hard to see that when you are in school and everything is graded...but school is not everything, I promise.
Fondest college memory or tradition...
Having either the 1-3pm lab slot or 3-5pm lab slot in first year - if you only had the 3-5, that 1-3 slot made for the most glorious nap!
A cause I'm most passionate about... The most formative experience I've had...
I'm very passionate about education, and making it fun and accessible. The lecture-based "sage on the stage" model is outdated, and there as so many better interactive ways to learn.
Top of my bucket list...
Traveling everywhere I possibly can. Also, perhaps a goat farm.
My favorite quote...
"Don't just teach your children to read. Teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything" - George Carlin
Being a VMCVM alumnus means...
Having a wonderful place to always think of as my academic "home."
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
Three cats. We have Jonesy, a large and not-very-smart tuxedo, and Lucy, a very talkative tortoiseshell who is obviously the queen of the house. We also just adopted a little orange and white stray kitten who doesn't have a name yet but will soon! For non-mammals, we also have a friendly ball python named Snakerton.
Anything else to add?
Get comfortable with saying you don't know, and don't try to BS it to clients - they can tell. "I don't know, but this is what I think, and I'm going to go look it up or consult with someone else and get back to you." I know it's scary to say you don't know when you are in school and being tested on what you know, but in the real world, clients will appreciate the honesty.
