Women's History Month Spotlight: Lea Stogdale, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)
What inspired me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, particularly in specialty medicine?
When I initially thought about veterinary medicine as a career, at about age15, it was to "feed the world." Predictably, that didn't happen. I traveled, worked in small animal practices in England, and moved to South Africa, where I was appointed as an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine. I had had no special training, no advanced degrees and knew only a little small animal medicine. The students, my colleagues, books, Babesia and Ehlichia enabled me to climb the steep learning curve rapidly. At the same time I embarked on a Master's degree in veterinary medicine. On arriving in Canada in 1980, three weeks later I traveled to Washington D.C. to sit the General exam. One year later, the Specialty exam. No time for studying, but due to my experience in South Africa, I passed.
Describe your experience in veterinary medicine as one of the early women veterinary specialists.
University of Melbourne School of Veterinary Medicine was blessed with having Dr. Doug Blood as its dean. He had five daughters; he did not tolerate any sexism. And that was in the sixties in Australia. When I graduated in Australia, women made up about 10% of graduates. Now its certainly over 50%, and people are more oblivious to the gender of their professionals.
How do you think that the veterinary profession has evolved for women since you became a Diplomate?
Becoming a veterinarian and a specialist has enabled me to work and live in a number of countries, to pursue various aspects of my profession, to enjoy a wonderful and fulfilled life, and to relish my senior years: I'm financially comfortable, active both physically and intellectually, and I'm having fun.