In honor of the International women’s day, AzVMA is proud to spotlight the incredible contributions women make across the scientific and veterinary fields. Veterinarians play a vital role not only in animal care, but also in protecting public health through disease prevention, research, and community partnership. We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Kathryn Burr, DVM, MPH, a CDC Career Epidemiology Field Officer, and serving as Arizona’s acting State Public Health Veterinarian, about her career journey, the importance of One Health, and her advice for young women interested in science.
What inspired you to pursue veterinary medicine and public health?
From a young age, I was fascinated by animals and biology, and that curiosity only deepened as I learned more and spent time volunteering and working with animals. By college, veterinary medicine felt like a natural way to turn that curiosity into a meaningful career. While I initially imagined myself in small animal practice, I was always drawn to the bigger picture—how veterinarians can protect not just individual animals, but entire communities.
During veterinary school, serving as my class Community Service Chair introduced me to the One Health concept and helped me see how closely human, animal, and environmental health are intertwined. After graduation, I worked in small animal practice, but I felt called to expand my impact. Volunteering for two years as a community health volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps was a transformative experience that showed me the power of public service. That experience inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Public Health and dedicate my career to veterinary public health, where I could help protect health at a population level.
How does veterinary medicine contribute to public health and disease prevention?
Veterinarians are essential to protecting public health, often in ways that are not immediately visible. Safeguarding public health is part of the oath every veterinarian takes, and it is woven into the profession’s daily work—from ensuring food safety to preventing diseases that can spread between animals and people.
More than 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, highlighting how vital veterinary expertise is to disease prevention. In fact, a recent study showed that One Health topics are discussed in the majority of companion animal veterinary visits. Whether working in clinical practice, research, academia, or public service, veterinarians help bridge the gap between animal and human health and play a critical role in keeping communities safe and informed.
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about your job?
Many people are surprised to learn that my work isn’t limited to animal-related public health issues. While my veterinary background is central to what I do, the skills veterinarians develop—systems thinking, risk assessment, and communication—are broadly applicable. I’ve helped respond to human-only disease outbreaks, led research on the long-term effects of West Nile virus infection, and supported communities affected by environmental exposures following a chemical spill and fire. These experiences show just how versatile and impactful veterinary training can be.
What keeps you motivated in public service?
What motivates me most is staying connected to the people and communities I serve. Whether I’m assisting with rabies vaccination clinics, working with tribal partners to prevent Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, or supporting One Health clinics, these experiences remind me that public health is ultimately about people, trust, and partnership.
Seeing how small, practical interventions can make a real difference reinforces why I chose public service. Those moments—working alongside communities and learning from them—are what continue to inspire me every day in my role at the Arizona Department of Health Services.
What advice would you give young women or girls interested in science or veterinary medicine?
Veterinary training builds a powerful skill set—careful observation, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving—that can open doors far beyond traditional career paths. These skills allow veterinarians to adapt, innovate, and make meaningful contributions across many areas of science and public health.
My advice to young women and girls is to stay curious, be open to unexpected opportunities, and know your worth. Careers in science are rarely linear, and some of the most fulfilling paths emerge from challenges and moments of uncertainty. Trust that your skills are valuable, even when you’re still learning. Women often underestimate their abilities, so when an opportunity excites you, believe that you belong there—and take the leap.
Dr. Burr’s career is a reminder of the many ways veterinarians contribute to science, public health, and community wellbeing. We celebrate her leadership and the countless women whose curiosity, dedication, and expertise are shaping the future of veterinary medicine and beyond. AzVMA is proud to highlight voices like Dr. Burr’s and to support the next generation of women in vet med.
Brief Bio – Kathryn Burr, DVM, MPH
Katy received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in 2014. After working as a private practice veterinarian, she completed her Master’s in Public Health from University of Washington in 2022 with a focus in One Health. She is currently a CDC Career Epidemiology Field Officer assigned to Arizona State Department of Health Services where she serves as the acting State Public Health Veterinarian and assists in epidemiological investigations and all-hazard response.