Dr. Natalie Arruda Bergamaschi began working as the Emergency and Critical Care Instructor at the college in January of 2023.
When did you begin working at the College of Veterinary Medicine?
I started working here in late January 2023.
Describe your role at the college.
My position is called “emergency and critical care instructor,” which means I am an ER clinician that gets to teach the students a thing or two!
What is your favorite part of your job?
Being able to teach students in a hands-on, fast-paced environment, is certainly one of the best! The ER team is also truly outstanding and I am learning tons!
Complete this sentence: My most memorable day at work was…
…any days with puppies or kittens are good days!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I absolutely love sports and being outdoors! Show jumping has also always been a big part of my life, but my wife says it is too expensive to bring my horse from Brazil to Illinois.
What is something your co-workers may be surprised to know about you?
As a teenager, I used to play handball and was actually accepted to play on a professional team.
What is one thing on your bucket list?
Bungee jumping, among other high-adrenaline things!
Do you have a favorite restaurant or place in the Champaign/Urbana area?
I am a big fan of seafood. The other day we went to a place called “Golden Crab,” and I can safely say that is has become my favorite! Sorry, Red Lobster…
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
Snuggling my cats! I use them as a way to stay sane, especially after long days at work. I will say though, the cats don’t always agree to these terms.
Do you have any pets?
I have 1.5 cats! Let me explain: one is a five-year-old that we rescued after she was hit by a car. She has had multiple hip surgeries and some things taken out, others put in. The other is a 3-year-old that we rescued after she was found with a nerve paralysis. We had to amputate one of her front limbs and now she is the cutest tripod out there!
