Emily Mackey’s life and path to veterinary school has been anything but mundane.  The third-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student at Mississippi State has overcome a significant and life-changing setback with her health to continue working toward her goal of becoming a vet.

The Brookhaven native always had dreams of pursuing a veterinary career. After high school, she enrolled in the Mississippi Air National Guard and attended Mississippi College for one semester before applying to MSU but leaving instead to complete her military basic training. She then transferred to MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine to begin pursuing her passion.

“I’ve never really had the drive to do anything else,” Mackey said. “I thoroughly enjoy being in the Guard, but my end goal has always been to be a vet.”

Makey’s studies at MSU CVM began in the veterinary medical technology program.  After she completed her bachelor’s degree, she worked as a vet med technician with the college’s neurology services for a year while finishing up prerequisites and applying to vet school. Mackey was accepted into the DVM program in 2021. She continued expanding her experiential learning opportunities and gaining hands-on skills  working as a tech in MSU’s Animal Health Center’s Intensive Care Unit while a second-year student.

Unfortunately, in the fall of 2022, Mackey’s life took an unexpected turn when she was involved in a serious accident. Her side-by-side vehicle flipped, causing a traumatic brain injury and significantly injuring her right arm. The situation was grave; doctors placed Mackey in a medically induced coma in an attempt to save her life.  After five days in the coma, she woke up with no mobility of her right arm and no recollection of the events that led to her hospitalization. After about two weeks, she was released from the hospital but faced a long road to recovery. The next year was a difficult one.

“The accident changed everything,” Mackey said. “I had to take a year off, go through extensive rehab, and relearn how to do things I had taken for granted.”

Throughout her recovery, she found support from the MSU CVM faculty and staff. Their encouragement and willingness to work with her enabled her to return to the program and continue pursuing her dream.

“The support I received was incredible,” she said. “I never felt alone. The CVM family was with me throughout the long and rigorous process of getting back to my life.”

Now consumed with the “day in and day out” rigors of veterinary school, Mackey has an amazing resolve to succeed and has developed a special interest in dermatology. She enjoys working with animals with complex skin conditions and hopes to incorporate dermatology into her future practice.

“The accident helped me focus on myself as a whole,” she reflected. “It made me realize that my career is important, but it is not my entire identity. I've learned to be more understanding, patient and appreciative of the journey.”

For those considering vet school—and for living life in general—Mackey gives simple but powerful advice: “Take a deep breath and be yourself. Don’t change who you are to impress anyone; people will love you for who you truly are.”