Student Spotlight: Mary Kalvaitis

Mary Kalvaitis, LVT

DVM Class of 2025, Mixed Animal

Hometown: Detroit, Michigan

My undergraduate was in…

Chemistry (B.S.) and Veterinary Technology (A.S.)

Best part of being a VMCVM student…

Being part of such a supportive and generous community.

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

I took my first animal science class at night after I clocked out from my job as a chemist. It was so much more exciting and interesting than anything I was doing in the lab!

My hidden talent...

I like to paint in my free time and a few of my paintings have been featured in small galleries back in Michigan.

A person who has inspired me...

My dad graduated from MIT while working full time, raising two kids, and paying to live in Boston. If he can do that, I can do anything!

Biggest misconception about being a veterinarian/public health student…

That you never have any time to do anything fun. With a little extra planning, you can make time to form friendships, explore the area and make great memories!

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

To fly! I love birds!

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

"Soulmate" by Lizzo

The course project/study you're most excited about…

Starting clinical rotations next year!

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

Veterinary medicine is always moving forward and finding new and better ways to help animals feel better and guide people to care for them.

Favorite way to end the day...

Curled up on the couch with my dog or playing card games with my partner.

Top of my bucket list...

To see every national park.

How many pets do you have? Types?

I have a dog, Petra, who was brought to the ER I was working at as a stray who had been hit by a car in Detroit. She's fat and happy loving with me now! I also have a leopard gecko named Ignis, a turtle named Tina, and a Betta fish named Swim Shady.