The academic achievement of aspiring veterinarian Megan Russnak was honoured on Friday, Sept. 21 at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon during the annual white coat ceremony, which formally welcomes students to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program and at the awards banquet as she received a prestigious scholarship.
Russnak, daughter of Gwen and Greg Russnak, was the recipient of the Dr. John Bankier Award which is “an award offered annually to a first year student in the DVM. Selection is based on academic achievement together with the essay presented on the application for admission to the WCVM, expressing a desire to enter the veterinary profession.”
Russnak says she found out she was receiving an award via email from student services, but the nature of the award was an exciting surprise at the banquet.
“Awards and the white coat ceremony were very exciting. It was nice to have our achievements recognized and to be officially welcomed into the veterinary profession at the white coat ceremony,” she says. “It all felt so much more real and official after we got our coats and stethoscopes.”
Though beginning her studies with a class of strangers rather than returning to her friends at the University of Alberta and adjusting to the increased rigour of the program versus her previous two years in her undergrad degree was challenging, Russnak is happy to be one step closer to working towards her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
She says, “I decided I wanted to become a vet a long time ago. Probably when I was in junior high. I wanted to become a vet because I wanted a career that allows me to work in the agriculture industry. I am passionate about animals and the science of veterinary medicine and a career as a vet fits all of those interests. I also think it is important to bridge the gap between animal and human health and vets play a role in that as well.”
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