Letters: Thank you, Dr. Kay

After reading your interview with Dr. William J. Kay in the September issue, I felt compelled to write about this outstanding veterinarian, administrator, author, and teacher. I had the good fortune of doing an externship at the Animal Medical Center during my senior year of veterinary school in 1980. This externship was not only an incomparable learning experience, but Dr. Kay had a tremendous impact on my career path.

I faced a tough decision regarding postgraduate training and the financial sacrifice associated with an internship, and Dr. Kay was instrumental in my ultimate decision to pursue a private-practice internship. He was approachable, friendly, and committed to advanced training. The team of educators he brought together at the Animal Medical Center taught me more in a few months than I had learned in years of college.

I am confident that many others besides me owe a debt of gratitude to this man for his positive impact on their careers. Many of the innovators in our profession worked under the leadership of Dr. Kay at some point in their careers. It is nice to have an opportunity 27 years later to thank Dr. Kay for his influence. Probably unbeknownst to him, my success in no small part is due to his guidance and advice.

Dr. Paul Newman

Mobile Veterinary Surgical Services

Franklin, TN