Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Erika Gibson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dr. Erika. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
This is such a cliché answer for a veterinarian, but I’ve been interested in animals since I was a kid. I used to bring home as many animals as my mother would allow, from the typical cats and dogs to fish, newts, chinchillas, and everything in between. It was so exciting to be able to take care of these animals, learning as much as possible about them, and then seeing them thrive because of that.
I decided to attend the University of Miami (UM), and I narrowed down the species of animals that I wanted to work with to just fish, so I majored in marine science and biology. In the middle of my senior year, my childhood dog passed away due to heartworms. I was so devastated when I learned how simple heartworms are to prevent, but this tragedy rekindled my dream of becoming a veterinarian to treat all animals and educate their owners on preventative care.
After graduating from UM, I knew I needed more experience with treating animals, so I pursued a Master’s degree while working at different veterinary clinics as a veterinary technician. My undergraduate degree and time at UM prepared me for my graduate work, but it surely didn’t prepare me for the work-life balance I could not maintain. In addition to my graduate work and vet tech training, I worked a full-time job as an overnight front desk auditor at the Marriott in order to afford required courses and applications for vet school. I’m no stranger to hard work, and I had to learn to finish my work quickly so I could study during breaks and nap between shifts. Thankfully, after finishing my coursework, I applied to and was accepted to Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
My four years at Auburn were definitely the hardest time of my life. Being away from family and friends in a completely new town while pursuing such a rigorous course load was challenging. During my clinical year of veterinary school, I had the opportunity to perform an externship at a location of my choice. I researched some of the best veterinary hospitals in Houston, which led me to Safari Veterinary Care Centers. My time in this externship taught me to love this hospital and their unique way of practicing. At the end of my externship, the owner offered me a position upon graduation, and I did not hesitate to accept.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road to get where I am today was in no way easy. I’ve lost my father, brother, grandparents, and other loved ones along the way. I’ve shut down emotionally and distanced myself from loved ones when stress became too overwhelming. Moving to Alabama was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I’ve always embraced different cultures, ethnicities, and life practices, and the lack of diversity at Auburn and within the veterinary field as a whole was overwhelming. I spent so much time trying to make a difference in my community that I sacrificed time that I could have devoted to studying. People often underestimate how demanding the veterinary curriculum actually is. This curriculum allowed little time for distractions but taught me a valuable lesson in self-care.
As a novice veterinarian, I find myself having to prove to clients that I’m worthy of treating their animals. Similarly, as a young Black woman I often get surprised looks once clients find out that I am the doctor. My greatest challenge in this practice is not balancing my appointments or struggling to treat my patients; it’s gaining my clients’ respect while disproving their assumption that my age is correlated with my veterinary knowledge and skill.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Safari Veterinary Care Centers – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am an Associate Veterinarian for Safari Veterinary Care Centers. Our hospital offers a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic services, such as wellness plans for small animals and exotics, orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, exotic animal medicine and surgery, rehabilitation, advanced imaging (C-arm fluoroscopy, ultrasound, MRI, endoscopy), grooming, and boarding. We are also the only private practice in the country with a stem cell lab. We offer regenerative stem cell therapy to treat conditions such as degenerative disc disease, dry eye, spinal cord injuries, arthritis, and allergies. Our company policy is that we never say no. We will treat any animal that can fit through the door. We have standards that every employee abides by to make sure that our patients and clients are receiving the best service that we can offer. As a new graduate, I am blessed to be mentored by one of the only board certified veterinarians in the area, Dr. Steven Garner. Dr. Garner has played a critical role in developing both my medical knowledge and surgical skills. I love my job and appreciate the fact that every day has presented new opportunities to learn and grow.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I strive to continue learning and growing as both a veterinarian and as a person. One day I would like to have my own veterinary hospital. I know that it will take a lot of hard work and patience, but I look forward to continue expanding my medical and surgical experience. I also know that I am currently learning from the best and I am on the right path to accomplish my goals.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2402 Marina Bay Drive
League City, TX 77573 - Website: www.safarivet.com
- Phone: 281-332-5612
- Email: frontdesk@safarivet.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SafariVeterinaryCareCenters/
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
