Kelly Upshaw
Tribal Affiliation/Ethnic/Racial Backgrounds:
Navajo
Current Position:
Tribal Veterinarian
Tribal Veterinarian
Degree(s):
B.S. Biology
D.V.M. Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
B.S. Biology
D.V.M. Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
Schools Attended:
New Mexico Highlands University
Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
New Mexico Highlands University
Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Area of Focus:
General Practitioner- Large and Small Animal Medicine & Surgery
Public Health & Zoonotic Diseases
Regulatory Medicine
General Practitioner- Large and Small Animal Medicine & Surgery
Public Health & Zoonotic Diseases
Regulatory Medicine
What motivated you to obtain your educational/career goals?
My motivation has stemmed from my environment growing up where the key values were hard work and education. I was taught by family that education is one of the keys needed to be successful in a Western Dominated Society. In order to compete in that world education was the great equalizer. No matter where you originate from or how a person has grown up education helps us to be self-reliant.
My motivation has stemmed from my environment growing up where the key values were hard work and education. I was taught by family that education is one of the keys needed to be successful in a Western Dominated Society. In order to compete in that world education was the great equalizer. No matter where you originate from or how a person has grown up education helps us to be self-reliant.
What steps did you take to achieve those goals?
My studies always came first in high school, undergraduate and in veterinary school. I was taught that homework and studying was done before playing. Even if it was Friday evening school work had to be finished that night just like any other weekday. I ran cross country collegiately in undergraduate studies to help pay for tuition. I believe this taught me self-discipline, time management and dedication to academics and athletics. In veterinary medical school I had my first child and finishing veterinary school was my main goal because I now had a child who needed my support- financially, emotionally and physically.
My studies always came first in high school, undergraduate and in veterinary school. I was taught that homework and studying was done before playing. Even if it was Friday evening school work had to be finished that night just like any other weekday. I ran cross country collegiately in undergraduate studies to help pay for tuition. I believe this taught me self-discipline, time management and dedication to academics and athletics. In veterinary medical school I had my first child and finishing veterinary school was my main goal because I now had a child who needed my support- financially, emotionally and physically.
Describe any obstacles or barriers to success that you encountered along your path:
I had to learn time management skills especially with running cross country at Division II level. In order to receive the scholarship I had to stay eligible academically and perform athletically. Giving birth to my daughter my second year in veterinary school was a challenge. She stayed with her father and grand-mother while I attended Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. That was very difficult to be away from her for weeks at time but I made her my drive to finish. I wasn’t going to let her down by coming home and not receiving my degree.
I had to learn time management skills especially with running cross country at Division II level. In order to receive the scholarship I had to stay eligible academically and perform athletically. Giving birth to my daughter my second year in veterinary school was a challenge. She stayed with her father and grand-mother while I attended Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. That was very difficult to be away from her for weeks at time but I made her my drive to finish. I wasn’t going to let her down by coming home and not receiving my degree.
What advice do you have for college students?
Being away from home is not easy. But home will always be there- it rarely changes. But by educating yourself you have something that no one can take from you. Study in a field that you enjoy and go on many internships because that’s where you gain experiences in your field of study. Never forget who you are and where you come from because this will be your rock when you start to run into obstacles or barriers. Always find the positive out of any negative situation.
Being away from home is not easy. But home will always be there- it rarely changes. But by educating yourself you have something that no one can take from you. Study in a field that you enjoy and go on many internships because that’s where you gain experiences in your field of study. Never forget who you are and where you come from because this will be your rock when you start to run into obstacles or barriers. Always find the positive out of any negative situation.
Anything else additional you may want to add?
I graduated from St. Michael High School and attended NMHU where I received my B.S. in Biology. I never thought of veterinary medicine as a career until my junior year in undergraduate studies. But through one of the professors he opened the door of veterinary medical field to me and I worked at his clinic. So I applied to veterinary school and I was accepted to Colorado State University, Cornell University, Washington State University. After finishing at CSU I accepted employment with Navajo Nation Livestock & Veterinary Program. There are many issues that face the Navajo Nation with regards veterinary medicine. I am a general practitioner who serves as a State Veterinarian, Federal Veterinarian, & Public Health Veterinarian for our sovereign nation because States and Federal counterparts need permission to come onto sovereign lands. I believe that my education is greatly needed on reservations and was the reason for returning home. I was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation at times with no running water and electricity but I was taught that anything is possible with hard work and belief in yourself. “Hard work beats Talent.”
I graduated from St. Michael High School and attended NMHU where I received my B.S. in Biology. I never thought of veterinary medicine as a career until my junior year in undergraduate studies. But through one of the professors he opened the door of veterinary medical field to me and I worked at his clinic. So I applied to veterinary school and I was accepted to Colorado State University, Cornell University, Washington State University. After finishing at CSU I accepted employment with Navajo Nation Livestock & Veterinary Program. There are many issues that face the Navajo Nation with regards veterinary medicine. I am a general practitioner who serves as a State Veterinarian, Federal Veterinarian, & Public Health Veterinarian for our sovereign nation because States and Federal counterparts need permission to come onto sovereign lands. I believe that my education is greatly needed on reservations and was the reason for returning home. I was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation at times with no running water and electricity but I was taught that anything is possible with hard work and belief in yourself. “Hard work beats Talent.”
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