The Miracle of Birth Center at the Minnesota State Fair welcomes millions of people each year who wander through its walls to glimpse newborn animals—sometimes as they arrive. One of the people making sure the center is running smoothly is veterinarian and co-chair Katherine Pjevach, ’20 DVM. 

Her dedication to the center and to the people behind it recently earned Pjevach the Emerging Leader award from the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association. This award is given to MVMA members who have graduated from veterinary school within the past 10 years, have demonstrated achievement and leadership through veterinary community involvement and actively engaged with others in the profession.

Pjevach first became involved with the Miracle of Birth Center as a veterinary student. Now, as one of its seven co-chairs, she leads orientation for students, who are in their fourth year in the DVM program at the College of Veterinary Medicine and are invited to care for the center’s dozens of animals. 

“Katherine leads by example, teaching through demonstrations, supporting rotating students and eagerly taking on new challenges,” her nominator and fellow co-chair, Holly Neaton, writes in a statement. “She consistently invests a remarkable amount of time and effort to ensure that the Miracle of Birth has success, contributing not only to daily operations but meaningful improvements.”

In addition to leading student orientation, Pjevach also manages the annual sourcing inventory of drugs and supplies.  

When she’s not working at the Miracle of Birth Center, Pjevach practices small medicine at Southdale Pet Hospital in Edina.

Read more 2026 Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association Annual Conference coverage.