Dr. Alejandro Ramirez is an associate professor at Iowa State University - College of Veterinary Medicine. He started out in private practice for 10 years and decided to pursue his passion for teaching thus left to attend school and obtain more degrees. Dr. Ramirez attended Iowa State University - College of Veterinary and his professional interests include swine medicine and public health. Click to read more about Dr. Alejandro Ramirez and know why living on farm is not a prerequisite in becoming a good food animal veterinarian.
Q: What factors influenced your decision to pursue veterinary medicine as a career?
A: Surprisingly I was not one of those individuals that always wanted to be a veterinarian. I grew up in Mexico and had very limited access to veterinarians. I also lived in a large city so had very limited access to livestock. My father is a medical doctor so I know my interest in medicine definitely came from him. It was my academic advisor in undergraduate college that actually got me to even think about veterinary school. On our first meeting she asked me “Are you pre-vet?” I had not thought about that before, but I quickly answered “Well sure I am!”
Q: What did you like about attending Iowa State University - College of Veterinary Medicine?
A: There are several things that make me love Iowa State University (ISU). Ames is a great town to live in. It is small enough so there are no traffic jams, yet large enough to give one access to anything I needed. The ISU curriculum was also very broad and practical with great faculty. By the time I graduated, I felt very competent and comfortable with both small and large animals. Being well rounded in many species is critical to keeping opportunities open not only at graduation, but in the future as well.
Also having a well-rounded education allows one to question different practices/assumptions. What I learn about cows helped me with pigs. What I learn about pigs helped me with cats and dogs and vice versa. The class environment was very friendly and everyone was willing to help each other out. Faculty were always available to help when asked even after I graduated. When I would have a challenging case, I always felt comfortable calling back to ISU to ask for advice and they would always be very glad to help me out.
Q: What would be an interview question you would ask an applicant applying to veterinary school?
A: I always like to ask students what species they are interested in. I then follow up by reminding them that they as they go through veterinary school, they should always keep an open mind and explore all opportunities. Many times we focus only on species we have experience with. Then as we broaden our experiences we learn to love other species or specialties. It is the lack of exposure that truly limits our ability to understand or become passionate about other animals and areas of the profession.
A: Surprisingly I was not one of those individuals that always wanted to be a veterinarian. I grew up in Mexico and had very limited access to veterinarians. I also lived in a large city so had very limited access to livestock. My father is a medical doctor so I know my interest in medicine definitely came from him. It was my academic advisor in undergraduate college that actually got me to even think about veterinary school. On our first meeting she asked me “Are you pre-vet?” I had not thought about that before, but I quickly answered “Well sure I am!”
Q: What did you like about attending Iowa State University - College of Veterinary Medicine?
A: There are several things that make me love Iowa State University (ISU). Ames is a great town to live in. It is small enough so there are no traffic jams, yet large enough to give one access to anything I needed. The ISU curriculum was also very broad and practical with great faculty. By the time I graduated, I felt very competent and comfortable with both small and large animals. Being well rounded in many species is critical to keeping opportunities open not only at graduation, but in the future as well.
Also having a well-rounded education allows one to question different practices/assumptions. What I learn about cows helped me with pigs. What I learn about pigs helped me with cats and dogs and vice versa. The class environment was very friendly and everyone was willing to help each other out. Faculty were always available to help when asked even after I graduated. When I would have a challenging case, I always felt comfortable calling back to ISU to ask for advice and they would always be very glad to help me out.
Q: What would be an interview question you would ask an applicant applying to veterinary school?
A: I always like to ask students what species they are interested in. I then follow up by reminding them that they as they go through veterinary school, they should always keep an open mind and explore all opportunities. Many times we focus only on species we have experience with. Then as we broaden our experiences we learn to love other species or specialties. It is the lack of exposure that truly limits our ability to understand or become passionate about other animals and areas of the profession.
Q: How did you make yourself stand out as an applicant to veterinary school?
A: At the time I applied to veterinary school I was very naïve. I really was not aware of the highly competitive nature of the process. I think today my best advice is for students to show diversity in experiences as well as to show leadership. These experiences should not be limited only to traditional scope of veterinary medicine. Learning such things as people skills and communication will be extremely helpful in helping you become a better veterinarian. Remember that as a veterinarian, you may be treating animals, but you will always be working with people.
Q: What are you passionate about in terms of your specialty?
A: I love pigs! I really did not know that I would end up being a swine veterinarian. When I graduated from veterinary school my interest was mixed animal with an emphasis in cattle. Shortly after I started my first job, I had an opportunity to broaden my knowledge and skill regarding swine production medicine. I jumped at that opportunity and have loved it ever since. As a swine veterinarian I use my knowledge to help pigs and people.
Swine farmers are very knowledgeable and are very interested in doing the right thing. Because most of the time we deal with a herd rather than just one individual pig, I practice population medicine (just like in public health) yet balance the needs of individual animals (individual animal medicine). This mixture of individual animal medicine and population health is very exciting and rewarding. Swine medicine allows me to be innovative in approaches to help pig health.
Q: What do you want the attendees to leave with after your presentation at the conference this October?
A: I want attendees to be reminded that veterinary medicine is a FANTASTIC career opportunity. I also want them to be open minded as they start the career path and not be focused on just one species or specialty. You don’t have to grow on a farm to become a good food animal veterinarian. You don’t have to live near the ocean to become a great aquatic veterinarian. Don’t limit yourself to just what you know or have experienced so far. Explore opportunities and fall in love with the many faces and prospects of our great profession!
You can learn more about Dr. Alejandro Ramirez and his passion for pigs. Don't miss the opportunity to meet Dr. Ramirez in person at the conference for his presentation on Sunday, October 11. To register for the conference, please click here.
A: At the time I applied to veterinary school I was very naïve. I really was not aware of the highly competitive nature of the process. I think today my best advice is for students to show diversity in experiences as well as to show leadership. These experiences should not be limited only to traditional scope of veterinary medicine. Learning such things as people skills and communication will be extremely helpful in helping you become a better veterinarian. Remember that as a veterinarian, you may be treating animals, but you will always be working with people.
Q: What are you passionate about in terms of your specialty?
A: I love pigs! I really did not know that I would end up being a swine veterinarian. When I graduated from veterinary school my interest was mixed animal with an emphasis in cattle. Shortly after I started my first job, I had an opportunity to broaden my knowledge and skill regarding swine production medicine. I jumped at that opportunity and have loved it ever since. As a swine veterinarian I use my knowledge to help pigs and people.
Swine farmers are very knowledgeable and are very interested in doing the right thing. Because most of the time we deal with a herd rather than just one individual pig, I practice population medicine (just like in public health) yet balance the needs of individual animals (individual animal medicine). This mixture of individual animal medicine and population health is very exciting and rewarding. Swine medicine allows me to be innovative in approaches to help pig health.
Q: What do you want the attendees to leave with after your presentation at the conference this October?
A: I want attendees to be reminded that veterinary medicine is a FANTASTIC career opportunity. I also want them to be open minded as they start the career path and not be focused on just one species or specialty. You don’t have to grow on a farm to become a good food animal veterinarian. You don’t have to live near the ocean to become a great aquatic veterinarian. Don’t limit yourself to just what you know or have experienced so far. Explore opportunities and fall in love with the many faces and prospects of our great profession!
You can learn more about Dr. Alejandro Ramirez and his passion for pigs. Don't miss the opportunity to meet Dr. Ramirez in person at the conference for his presentation on Sunday, October 11. To register for the conference, please click here.