Scholarship supports student's dream of equine surgery

Elena Mantis nearly walked away from horses forever.

After a traumatic riding accident on a thoroughbred left her hospitalized and concussed, the saddle felt like a place she wasn’t sure she belonged.

“It just killed my confidence riding,” Mantis, now a fourth-year student on the equine track at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, said. “I took a break for a while, but another horse, Jet, brought me back and spurred my interest in sports medicine.”

Today, that resilience is driving her toward a career as an equine surgeon. Supporting her journey is the Dr. Mark V. Crisman Veterinary Scholarship, an endowed fund established to clear financial hurdles for students dedicated to the future of equine medicine.

Mantis, a native of Cecil County, Maryland, is drawn to the high-stakes environment and physical demands of large animal practice. 

“I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian, and I grew up in the hunter-jumper world,” she said. “I like the problem-solving and challenges that come with working with large animals.”

After graduation, she plans to pursue a residency in surgery, with a specific focus on keeping equine athletes in the ring.

“It’s my way of giving back to not only the horses, but the owners and everyone who's gotten me here,” Mantis said.

However, the road to specialization is steep. Equine medicine often demands longer hours and more fieldwork than small animal practice, frequently for lower starting salaries. For Mantis, the scholarship is the key to pursuing specialized training that might otherwise be out of reach.

“Scholarships help take away that burden and allow me to follow my dream,” Mantis said. “Without that support, it would be harder to accept opportunities to go further in my career.”

A mentor’s final gift

The scholarship honors the late Mark Crisman, a specialist in equine internal medicine and a faculty member of the college for 23 years. Crisman was an avid adventurer who enjoyed snow skiing, skydiving (but only once), and deep-sea diving. His journey in medicine was equally adventurous, taking him across the country and around the world.

Named Teacher of the Year in 2004, he was known for his sense of humor and ability to connect with others. He was recognized by former students everywhere, from local farms to conferences and even the streets of a tiny town in Switzerland.

“He absolutely loved what he did at the vet school and at Zoetis,” his wife, Celeste Crisman, said. “Out of everything. I think Mark loved the connection that he had with students.”

“I wanted to keep his legacy alive,” she said. “The scholarship was something that his friends, former students, and I could create so that he would always have a place at the vet school.

“It's not necessarily about the best grades, because that probably wasn't Mark either. But it's about a genuine love for what you do and respect for animals and their people. You have to be a people person as much or more than an animal person. And Mark certainly was that, and I think that's why he was so successful.”

“Dr. Crisman will always have a special place in my heart,” Mantis said. “He's someone that I've always looked up to in the equine medicine community.”

Mantis first encountered Mark Crisman during a first-year "lunch and learn," an experience that solidified her career path.

“I came into vet school wanting to do equine medicine, but I was often discouraged by people in the field because of the challenges,” Mantis said. “Dr. Crisman inspired me to continue on this path. I hope that one day I can make that kind of impact on others.”

Leading the change

As the former president of the college’s student chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Mantis is now focused on inspiring the next generation to see the rewards behind the work.

“I don't think that anyone should be discouraged from becoming an equine veterinarian,” Mantis said. “Equine medicine is tough; it requires a lot of passion, but it is worth it every step of the way.”

For Celeste Crisman, seeing students like Mantis succeed is exactly what her husband would have wanted. Her advice for the next generation of veterinarians remains simple and heartfelt:

“Always find joy in what you are doing for your career. If you're not having fun and love what you do, then you need to reevaluate your focus. Mark loved what he did, and it made his life more meaningful.”