Dr. Katie Kuehl was named the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA) 2020 WSU Faculty Member of the Year during a virtual ceremony in mid-October, just shy of her three-year anniversary as director of Seattle Shelter Medicine Rotation at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
“I am humbled to receive this award from the WSVMA and grateful for all of the team members at Seattle Humane that have helped me create and maintain high-quality clinical learning experiences for WSU veterinary students,” Dr. Kuehl said.
WSU vet students have been coming to Seattle Humane to train and receive hands-on experience for nearly a decade, however, rotations have been suspended since the pandemic started. Dr. Kuehl has continued to provide expert veterinary care at the Bellevue campus while finding new ways to engage her students. She leads WSU’s One Health Clinic, which offers side-by-side medical and veterinary care for people experiencing homelessness and their pets.
“I have been fortunate to have the support of my WSU colleagues, especially those who have stepped in to reschedule students to other experiences while the rotation remains closed due to COVID, and those colleagues who have helped to create the One Health Clinic experience that is a unique part of this learning experience,” Dr. Kuehl said. “I am also incredibly grateful for my supportive wife, family and friends who encouraged me to make this career move and keep me grounded.
“Finally, I couldn’t do this work without the energy and enthusiasm of the students and their joy in learning and honing their skills- their energy fuels my own and makes each day feel impactful!”
Dr. Kuehl is also leading the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab’s coronavirus pet testing study, testing animal samples for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent for COVID-19 in humans.