Student Spotlight: Nina Havelka

Nina Havelka

DVM Class of 2026, Mixed Animal

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

My undergraduate was in…

BS in biology with a minor in chemistry.

Best part of being a VMCVM student…

Getting to meet like minded, intelligent, diverse, caring people.

The moment I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian/public health professional was…

I traveled to Poland where my family originated from in the 6th grade summer break for two months. While there my great uncle was a “retired” large animal vet who owned a small animal clinic in the town. He was called out to a farm and took my brother and I on the trip. When we arrived he had to assist a cow giving birth and attempted in broken English to tell us to look away. My brother took his advice but I, on the other hand, say in awe of him helping the cow give birth. The blood, smell, and sight didn’t bother me at all. When we arrived home he told my grandmother he had no doubt I would be a doctor.

A person who has inspired me...

My mother and grandmother inspire me. My mother is strong, intelligent, and courageous as she successfully went through law school as a single mother of two. My grandmother moved to this country with my mother speaking no English and leaving behind her own successful bakery in Poland. Her courage to move across the world to just give my mom more opportunities than those available in Poland is just a small showing of her strength. Their perseverance and courage is what helps me push through as a single mother in veterinary school.

Biggest misconception about being a veterinarian/public health student…

I think the biggest misconception is that you are still competing. Students spend four + years fighting for a seat in the class but once you arrive it’s not time to judge or compete against your colleagues. We are all in this together and when we enter the industry our roles will be just that, colleagues and friends. We will all experience a day in practice where we may need to call a former classmate to ask for help and there is no shame in it because all of our goals are to help the animals and their owners!

If I had a superpower, it would be...

I think to be able to fly and just decide when and where I want to go at free will. It would be a lot cheaper than airplane tickets!

My no-fail, go-for-it motivational song...

Hey look ma, I made it - panic! At the disco

What excites me the most about the future of my industry....

I think the most exciting thing about the industry is the fact veterinarians are starting to focus on their mental health, family priorities, and overall health. The field for years has hurt itself by veterinary professionals not taking care of themselves. We all love animals and know there will be tough and bad days. Sometimes you need to focus on yourself to get through it. Everyone veterinarian is needed and precious, I’m glad to see we are taking the right steps to care for our mental health as much as we are caring for the animals. You provide better care when you are in better health as well!

Favorite way to end the day...

Reading a book or doing bath time with my daughter.

How many pets do you have? Types?

I have one cat who is a domestic medium hair. He is gray, white, and some brown. He is 3 years old.