During a lunch talk hosted by the UC Davis Chapter of Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment (VOICE) earlier this month, Gina Davis B.S. '95, DVM '97 shared her journey as an African American woman navigating the veterinary profession. She took attendees of the talk through her career journey, which started with her undergraduate studies and veterinary school at UC Davis, working in private practice, before returning to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Cindy Trice, a distinguished alumna of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, embodies the spirit of innovation, compassion, and entrepreneurialism within the field of veterinary medicine. Graduating in 2004, her journey since then has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to making a profound impact on both human and animal lives.
Dr. Ken Gorczyca, born an 'army brat' in Philadelphia, currently resides in California, sharing his time between the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County and San Francisco. As an active DVM, Ken gives his time and talent to many areas in the field. Some of which are considered non-traditional. Ken is a nature-based veterinary artist and social activist, an End-Of-Life Doula, a researcher in the healing power of the human-animal bond, and an advocate of integrating spirituality into the work of veterinary science.
Dr. Karen Whala stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and the transformative power of passion. Born in Pasadena, California, to a modest African American family, Karen's humble beginnings never deterred her dreams. With early fascinations with animals, ranging from reptiles to goats, her childhood was filled with visits to petting zoos and memorable appearances at children’s birthday parties with her menagerie.
