Ep 163: Graduating The University of Arizona's Inaugural Class, with Deianira Smith

In this week's episode of That Vet Life Podcast, Dr. Moriah McCauley dives into the life of a vet student with Deianira Smith.Deianira is a third-year veterinary student currying studying as part of the inaugural class at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine and is set to graduate this August. In school, Deianira served as the first president of the student AAEP chapter, as well as a SAVMA delegate, Zoetis Student Representative, and Student Ambassador. She is also currently a 2022-2023 Ed Brown Society Scholar.Deianira's goals are to become a board-certified surgeon in both equine and small animal medicine. Her passions in vet med are organized medicine, DEI, client education, and leadership. Currently serving on the AAEP DEI committee, Deianira is keen to help inspire the next generation of veterinarians and help other students recognize and grow their own potential.Outside of school and vet life, you’ll find Deianira spending time with her three pets, including her two-year-old golden retriever Addison, her four-year-old Pomeranian Zsa Zsa, and her five-year-old cat, Munchkin. In this episode, Deianira shares her experience of starting a vet school during covid with a new curriculum. She also shares her experience throughout the school, some tips for new graduates, and her possible approaches after graduation for practice.Outline[00:45] Dr. Moriah begins the episode with a welcome and a brief introduction of Deianira Smith.[01:11] Dr. Moriah and Deianira discussed how they met each other.[02:01] Dr. Moriah and soon-to-be Dr. Deianira discuss the programs and current situation of Deianira’s vet school.[02:35] Deianira shares a little bit about herself and at this point which area of vet med she is looking to go into.[05:40] Deianira shares how her vet school is different and why the vet school is perceived as a new-age vet school.[08:28] Dr. Moriah and Deianira discuss what excites the most while starting a vet school and how things changed during covid.[10:12] A short ad break - Join our Career Concierge service - https://www.vetxinternational.com/career-concierge/.[19:35] Dr. Moriah and Deianira resumed the episode by discussing how new grad changes during vet school and their challenges.[14:22] Dr. Moriah and Deianira discuss the clinical and 1st year - the 2nd-year experience of the vet school.[19:30] Deianira shares her excitement of soon to be a vet graduate and her approaches to practice in the near future.[21:43] Deianira shares tips for 1st-year grads to help them get through vet school.[22:55] Dr. Moriah wraps up the episode.