Dr. Jessica Siegal-Willott ‘97, DVM ‘02, credits her training at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine with laying a strong foundation for her career, which spans clinical practice, conservation, and public service. Today, as a senior veterinary medical officer at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), Siegal-Willott focuses on animal welfare for zoological species and contributes to One Health initiatives.

“I had amazing mentors at Cornell—including Noha Abou-Madi, George Kollias, Sharon Center, and Jay Harvey—and was lucky to be in a class that was tight-knit, supportive, and truly a family to me,” Siegal-Willott shared. Cornell provided her with the resources, knowledge, and experiences to pursue her passion for working with diverse species.

After earning her DVM, Siegal-Willott pursued extensive post-graduate training through two internships: one in small animal medicine at Oradell Animal Hospital, and one in zoo, exotic, and wildlife medicine at Kansas State University. She then completed a four-year residency at the University of Florida.

“During the first two years of my residency, I worked with native wildlife and client-owned exotic pets—from birds and reptiles to fish, capybaras, and chimpanzees,” said Siegal-Willott. Her training included working at multiple facilities such as the Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, Central Florida Zoo, Lubee Bat Conservancy, and St. Augustine Alligator Farm. She joined the White Oak Conservation Center in her third year and then spent her final residency year as a clinical veterinarian at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Following her residency, Siegal-Willott was hired as a clinical veterinarian at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoological Park, where she was later promoted to supervisory veterinarian. “In this role, I continued clinical practice, caring for over 2,700 animals representing over 300 species,” she said. Her responsibilities included managing the residency program, overseeing student internship and externship programs, and supervising animal caretakers, veterinary technicians, and veterinarians.

Her passion for conservation has taken her around the world. “During my residency and time at the National Zoo, I was fortunate enough to participate in a variety of field conservation projects, from manatee work in Belize to elephant conservation in South Africa, as well as to obtain training with various species in Thailand, India, and Bhutan,” she said.

In her current role at APHIS, Siegal-Willott ensures the welfare of zoological species, advances One Health initiatives, and serves on the APHIS Science Committee. “My veterinary education at Cornell inspired me to be an active, independent learner and also gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of collaboration,” she said.

Her current position also involves critical policy and regulatory work affecting zoological species across the U.S. She has partnered with wildlife rehabilitation facilities and zoos to study wildlife species susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, helping develop best practices for minimizing the risk of disease transmission between animals and their caretakers.

“There is no ‘one path.’ There are so many opportunities and avenues—so pursue as many as possible, and always do your best! You never know how each experience may shape your career.”

“I love making new connections, collaborating with folks nationally and internationally in the welfare and conservation of species,” Siegal-Willott said. Her ongoing efforts include presenting at conferences and contributing to peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.

Looking ahead, Siegal-Willott remains dedicated to advancing her field. "I hope to continue contributing to the health, welfare, and conservation of animals; to the training and education of future generations; and to pursuing research and field endeavors,” she said.

For aspiring wildlife veterinarians, Siegal-Willott emphasized the importance of self-care in such a demanding profession. “Work-life balance and personal well-being are not buzzwords or catch phrases. They are real issues,” she said, encouraging students to prioritize their health while pursuing their goals.

She also highlighted the value of flexibility and openness to new opportunities. “There is no ‘one path.’ There are so many opportunities and avenues—so pursue as many as possible, and always do your best! You never know how each experience may shape your career.”

Written by Caroline Stamm ‘24

Photo provided by Dr. Jessica Siegal-Willott.