Our wonderful student managers have one of the most important roles in the Wildlife Medical Clinic (WMC). They are the eyes on the floor that keep track of every single patient that comes through the clinic while balancing all the minute details to ensure the clinic continues to run smoothly. In addition to that, they also provide immense support to our student volunteers and do their best to make sure that each student gets the most out of every case and continues to learn and grow during their time in the clinic. This March, we will be sending off our amazing senior manager, Bri Huff, as she heads to clinical rotations. Bri is a very dedicated, compassionate, and hard-working student. She always makes sure every student in the clinic is getting the opportunity that they deserve and never hesitates to share her knowledge and skills. We interviewed Bri and asked her what her plans are after graduation and for a few thoughts on her time as a manager in the Wildlife Medical Clinic.
What is the next step for you after clinical rotations?
After graduating, I hope to pursue an internship and residency through the veterinary match program, with the ultimate goal to become board-certified in zoo medicine. I plan to continue to remain involved with wildlife rehabilitation medicine after graduation and beyond!
What is one (or a few) of your best memories from the Wildlife Clinic?
There have been so many moments during my time in the WMC that I now look back on as fond memories. Though it is terribly difficult to highlight just a few, I think one of my favorites was participating in an FHO procedure for a beaver kit that presented to us over my last summer as manager. While part of my attachment to this memory stems from the patient being one of my favorite species, it was also an incredible experience to see several of our specialty departments within the hospital come together to perform the procedure on such a unique patient. Additionally, a very recent favorite memory was having the opportunity to present at this year’s National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association conference. It was so rewarding to be able to share knowledge with wildlife rehabilitators from around the country, and each and every individual that I encountered at the conference was so welcoming! The wildlife rehabilitator community is flourishing with support, passion, and a desire to improve wildlife medicine, and I am so grateful to have been involved in the conference as a veterinary student.
What is something you learned during your time as the clinic manager/volunteer?
The WMC has taught me so much more than I had anticipated since I first set foot into the clinic. Not only have I gained such valuable knowledge about wildlife medicine, but I have also learned a great amount about myself, veterinary medicine as a whole, fostering collaboration, and building a community. I have learned and witnessed the incredible impact of kindness and compassion. I have recognized the importance of sharing knowledge and leaning on others for support. I have seen the influence an individual can have, starting with just the simple desire to learn. But most importantly, I have learned the importance of adaptability: a necessity in order to foster an environment in which humans and animals in need of healing can flourish.
Anything you would like to share with our readers?
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge those that have shared this journey with me, and made my experience as a manager one that has left a profoundly positive impact on me. Dr. Sam Sander, Dr. Stephany Lewis, my co-manager Tyson Jenkins, Sydney Oliveira, our student volunteers, ZooMed faculty/staff/house officers, our south clinic receptionists, our local wildlife rehabilitators, and so many more: thank you for all you have taught me – I will be forever thankful for the relationships that we have built throughout my time within the clinic. And to our readers – whether you have supported me along my journey, support a student within our clinic, or support the clinic as a member of our community – thank you! Your support for the individuals and patients within our clinic makes what we do not only possible, but also so very rewarding. YOU have also made this journey one to remember!
We had also reached out to our faculty and colleagues who worked closely with Bri for a short post of appreciation that we would like to share with Bri!
Since my first day in WMC, I was struck by your maturity and leadership. I truly do not know how I would have functioned these past months without you, and I will forever be grateful for your guidance and your ability to accept my transition into this new role with such grace. You are a smart, strong, compassionate, and capable
veterinarian and person. I hope you will treasure your time in the WMC and know that you have left a lasting positive impact. I will forever be proud to call you my student, colleague, and friend, and I am so excited to watch you grow as a veterinarian. There is not a doubt in my mind that you will accomplish everything you set out to do, and more. – Stephany Lewis, DVM, CWR, DABVP (Avian Practice)
It has been such an honor to work with you over the past two years and watch you blossom into a confident, passionate, and talented veterinarian. Your empathy for your patients knows no bounds and is an inspiration to us all. Your dedication and commitment not only to wildlife, but also to the students of the Wildlife Medical Clinic, is evident to everyone who steps inside. I am so fortunate to call you not just a colleague, but also a dear friend, and can’t wait to share so many new experiences with you as we head off to clinics. I am beyond excited to see where the future takes you. – Haley Kenyon, Class of 2025
There are countless words to describe Bri’s legacy as the Wildlife Medical Clinic Manager. Courageous, compassionate, dedicated, humanitarian, nurturing…the list can go on. Bri Huff will probably be one of the most incredible managers that the Wildlife Medical Clinic ceases to have. She is not only an incredible leader, but a kind-hearted soul to countless volunteers who have devoted an enormous amount of time to the clinic. Bri will be a spectacular doctor. The love and effort that goes towards every admitted patient that has come through that clinic door will never go unseen. Bri’s heart fills up every room that she walks into. From triaging debilitated raptors to making a waterproof sling for a non-ambulatory Canada goose to engineering extraordinary enclosures for our patients. It is abundantly clear that Bri is always thinking about the well-being and welfare of our patients. She is always thinking about how to make their time spent in the clinic less stressful and as comfortable as possible. Thank you, Bri, for making a difference to our patients and the students. You have been an incredible mentor, supporter, and educator to many. We will always be super appreciative of your devotion to this magical place that we know as the Wildlife Medical Clinic. We can’t wait to see where you go because every person and animal that you encounter on that journey will be so lucky to experience the care that you will provide. I can’t wait to see how Bri Huff continues to change the world! – Hassan Hanna, Class of 2025
Bri, when I decided to apply for the manager position, I truly had no idea what I was getting myself into. The scope of this position, the level of responsibility required, and the skills needed all greatly exceeded what I was capable of at the time I was chosen. Yet, somehow, you saw the potential in me, and I will forever be grateful for that fact. You have been an incredibly kind and patient mentor, teacher, and friend, and I would not be where I am today without you. I am beyond appreciative for everything you have given me, and I hope that I was able to help you achieve your goals as well. I know with absolute certainty that you will make an incredible doctor. I don’t know that I’m ready to be senior manager (I don’t think you can ever be fully ready for a position like this) but I hope I can carry on your legacy and mold the clinic into everything we know it can be. This next year won’t be the same without you by my side, but I am so excited to see where you go and what amazing things you will do. Good luck in clinics, and, once again, thank you! – Tyson Jenkins, CWR, Class of 2026
Thank you, Bri, for all your contributions to the Wildlife Medical Clinic! We wish you the best of luck on your soon-to-embark journey. And we will all miss you dearly at the Wildlife Medical Clinic!
Written by YiYing, Class of 2026
