New alumna Kelly Hurley, D.V.M., M.P.H., graduated from the UF College of Veterinary Medicine in May with two degrees granted through the joint Doctor of Veterinary Medicine/Master of Public Health program.

It was her love of animals that first shaped her educational path. She recalled, as a child, being encouraged to become a veterinarian because of that love. But later, as she studied and explored veterinary medicine in college, she began to understand how closely animal health is intertwined with human health and the environment.

Hurley’s journey leading to dual animal and human health degrees seems almost predestined. Her bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University was in veterinary and biomedical sciences. She also minored in wildlife and fishery science and in German.

Her father’s career as a medical doctor also influenced her interest in health and medicine. She recalled early years exploring the world, traveling with her family to other countries, sometimes related to health care. Her father later took a position through Indian Health Service providing much needed medical care to a Native American tribe in South Dakota.

Given her early experiences, it was not surprising that as an undergraduate, Hurley chose to study wildlife medicine in southern Africa for a study abroad program. She also met her husband, Derek Hurley, falling in love with him and with the African continent.

“My dream was to be a wildlife vet in Africa, and we both hope to go back there in the future,” said Hurley, adding that her first goal is to gain experience in clinical medicine, and move toward public health and wildlife medicine as her career develops.

The couple relocated to Gainesville as Hurley began her advanced education at UF. Her husband, whose family owned a farm in Zimbabwe, took a job on campus working with a research program in drought-resistance crops.

In 2016, Hurley received the Sharon Walton Scholarship of $3,500 for tuition and travel for a six-week internship in the African country Namibia. Fulfilling credit requirements for her M.P.H. degree, the experience provided veterinary training as well. Ironically, Namibia also happens to be a German colony, which gave her an unexpected opportunity to practice her German language skills.

Finding a veterinarian mentor for an internship in Africa was an arduous task due to policies and potential risks, as well as the time commitment required of busy practitioners. Hurley was pleased to be accepted by Mark Jago, MA, VetMB., a Cambridge-trained veterinarian with the Republic of Namibia Ministry of Environment and Tourism, who was known for his work in conservation and public health. She was surprised to learn Prince Harry had worked with Jago the year before on an initiative to protect endangered rhinos, keeping them safe from poachers.

Hurley describes her overarching role in veterinary medicine as helping people by helping animals.

“Whether it’s strengthening the human-animal bond, preventing transmission of zoonotic diseases, which ultimately affects people, or helping livestock which contributes to human nutrition, veterinary health takes many forms,” she said.

Hurley’s internship in north-central Namibia’s Waterberg Plateau Park focused on protecting and promoting public health through wildlife. She participated in health assessments of African buffalo, monitoring for zoonotic diseases — diseases that can cross species to infect humans or domesticated livestock, such as bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis and foot-and-mouth disease. She also conducted a tick identification project there, which she presented at UF for her master’s degree requirement.

Traveling to the Namib Rand Nature Reserve in western Namibia, her internship focused on wildlife sustainability by monitoring zebras and springbok antelope herds. From Jago, she learned how to encourage practices that support healthy wild game animals in a balanced ecosystem for indigenous people who rely on them for sustenance.

“My internship would not have been possible without the generous support of the Sharon Walton Scholarship,” said Hurley. “It made a difference in the lives of the animals, the villagers and helped prepare me as a public health veterinarian.”

Following an exciting and unusual journey in veterinary medicine and human health, Hurley’s graduation this year at the end of May also proved to be a memorable occasion. Veterinary medicine students are encouraged to select a mentor or relative who holds a professional degree to participate in the commencement program by placing a hood over the graduate’s robe. Her family traveled from Pennsylvania for the occasion and she was very proud to have her father serve as her hooder during the commencement ceremony.