Tamara
Quaschnick, the 2009 recipient of the WCVM Faculty Gold Medal, feels both
humbled and thrilled by the honour and regards the award as a milestone
achievement for her. In addition to earning the college's most prestigious
award for undergraduate students, Quaschnick has received several other awards
while at WCVM, including the Dr. Dwayne Elaschuk Scholarship in Food Animal
Medicine, a Winner's Circle Race for Education Scholarship and a Dennis Epps
Bequest. She was also involved with the WCVM Students Association, the Canadian
Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the student chapter of the American
Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
Quaschnick considers herself fortunate to have grown up surrounded by animals on the family ranch near Hanna, Alta. Since the family cattle operation was rooted in tradition and used horses whenever possible, they became an integral part of Quaschnick's life. A graduate of J.C. Charyk Hanna School, she went on to complete a Bachelor's degree in zoology at the University of Calgary where she earned a place on the Dean's List each semester. Her lifestyle on the ranch, her membership in 4-H and her work with several equine practitioners — Drs. Roxy Bell, Wayne Burwash and Karen Nyrop — were important influences on her decision to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
After graduation, Quaschnick headed to Nampa, Idaho, to complete a one-year internship at the Idaho Equine Hospital. Once her internship wraps up in 2010, she plans to return to her home province: "I'm headed back to Hanna to work in the local mixed animal practice. I have a real heart for rural Alberta and look forward to being part of a community."
Q:
How important were animals in your life? Any favourites?
Well, fortunately for me, horses were part of my
daily life. My first horse was a Welsh Arab named Scooter. We got him from a
local horse dealer who literally sneaked him out the side door of a
slaughter-bound trailer. He was a real cool pony who would do anything you
asked of him-you could rope off of him, run poles, ride double. He was just
solid gold.
During high school, I had another quarter horse mare named Philena. She was one of those horses that you'll remember for a lifetime - quick, smart and challenging! She could really watch a cow, and I haven't ridden a smoother horse. She made me into a mare fan and a better horseperson.
Q: Why
did veterinary medicine make a good fit for you?
Some of the major things that drew me to veterinary
medicine were the opportunity to have a career where no two days are the same,
you have to be quick on your feet, you have to trust your decisions and you
get the privilege of being able to help people by helping their animals. It's
also knowing that your interventions have made a difference in an animal's
welfare or performance and on the producer's bottom line - those are all
reasons why I chose this path.
Q:
What were some of the highlights of your four years at WCVM? What did you find
challenging?
Fourth-year clinical rotations were some of the
greatest adventures! I really enjoyed my large animal surgery and medicine
rotations and the feedlot rotation in Okotoks, Alta. The spring equine rotation
was also a great experience. I appreciated the chance to get to know our
faculty — we have some phenomenal people at WCVM! In terms of challenge — finding balance and
keeping perspective were daily challenges. This program definitely tries your
determination!
Q: How
did your involvement in clubs and organizations enhance your learning
experience at WCVM?
Belonging to the AAEP (Equine Club) was very
helpful in terms of learning about further career options and creating the
opportunity to develop skill sets not covered in the curriculum. I'm currently
completing an AAEP Avenues internship, having met one of the hospital owners at
the Opportunities in Equine Practice Seminar, a conference hosted in part by
the AAEP in Kentucky every year.
I also had the opportunity to do some work with Christian Veterinary Missions between my third and fourth year. I was in Mongolia for the month of July, and I still don't know how to quantify the impact that experience has had on my life — simply put, it was amazing!
Q: Can
you tell us more about your clinical internship at the Idaho Equine Hospital?
Well, right now foaling season is upon us! I rotate at two-week intervals
between the surgical service and the medicine service. On most days, I am in
the barns by 7:00 a.m. treating the hospitalized patients, and I assist with
appointments and surgeries scheduled throughout the day. I am on call every
other night and weekend, so on-call nights are spent dealing with emergencies,
treating hospitalized patients and checking on mares.
Q:
How do you think this experience will help you in the future?
This internship has been an amazing fit for me — the
largely western performance caseload, the staff and the clientele have been
priceless. I have the opportunity to work with board-certified surgeons and a
board-certified internist in addition to other experienced practitioners. This
experience has greatly enhanced my confidence and my exposure to different
diagnostic techniques. I think that it has really jumpstarted my career, has provided
me with valuable mentors and has been a great transition between school and
"the real world."
Q: Where
do you see yourself in five years?
I'm very interested to see where I'll be in five
years! I'll likely be working in private mixed practice, but I still haven't
completely stifled the notion of going on to do a residency.
Q: What
personal qualities have helped you to achieve your goals so far?
To put it simply, I believe I was raised right. My
parents have taught me — mostly by their example — the values of
integrity, generosity, compassion and hard work. I believe that honesty and
compassion are two traits that are essential for a fulfilling career, and I
count those among my core characteristics. My life and decisions are based on a
strong faith in God, and having that faith helps me to keep things in
perspective.
Q:
How has your training helped to strengthen those qualities?
My training has really complemented those qualities — it's provided me with the science and technical skills required for the job.
I have also had the privilege of working with practitioners who are passionate
about their job and truly care for their patients and clients. I admire their
integrity and commitment and look to them as role models. I've been very
blessed in my life, and I hope that my career will reflect well on the college.
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