While you won’t find her in a typical clinic setting, the work that veterinarian Jessi Coryell does every day has an impact not only on the health of the animals she cares for but also helps create a brighter future for people who rely on medical devices.

For the past four years, Coryell, ’21 DVM, ’24 MPH, has worked at Medtronic in its preclinical medical device research division, which tests the performance and safety of devices before their use in humans, often using animal models. 

As an attending veterinarian for its animal care program, she oversees the laboratory animals—primarily pigs and sheep— and ensures compliance with federal and other regulatory standards governing their care. 

“It's a big responsibility, but one that I'm super proud of as a veterinarian,” she says. “It’s an honor to be able to give these animals the best life that we can while they're serving such a tremendous purpose.”

To prepare for this career path, Coryell pursued both a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Minnesota, made possible through a dual-degree DVM/MPH program facilitated by the School of Public Health. The program is designed for DVM students to complete an MPH within the same four years they earn their veterinary degree, but offers flexibility if those timelines don't match up—as Coryell experienced during her final year of veterinary school when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. 

The program equips future veterinarians with critical skills in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, policy, and disease prevention, areas of focus that are essential to addressing today’s most pressing public health challenges. They serve in local, national, and international organizations, and are often on the front lines of emerging health threats.

The field of veterinary public health has long been championed by Julia Ponder, a skilled veterinary surgeon, pioneering educator, mentor, global conservationist, and lauded former director of The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota. 

To honor her contributions and lifelong dedication in the field of veterinary public health, the College of Veterinary Medicine is creating the Dr. Julia Ponder Legacy Awards Fund that will support its students enrolled in the DVM/MPH program who are committed to using their education as a tool for public service and global impact.

The cost of a veterinary education—particularly when combined with the additional time and expense of the MPH—can be a significant barrier. This award would allow students to pursue field placements in underserved areas, research opportunities in global health, and public service positions that might otherwise be financially out of reach. 

“It's great that there are opportunities like this, and that the scholarship could provide flexibility for students,” says Coryell, who added that scholarships also had a positive impact on her veterinary education. “They provided some stability and comfort in exploring options outside what was available locally to me.”

The Ponder Award Fund would also help bridge gaps caused by federal student loan borrowing limit caps, which recently decreased to a lifetime limit of $200,000 for students pursuing graduate and professional studies. 

For more information about the scholarship, please contact Ellen Orndorf at [email protected] or 612-624-8457.