Dr. Samantha Shields Appointed to National Conservation Council
The Dean of St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine joins a group of experts dedicated to addressing a range of ecological challenges facing the Cayman Islands.
Congratulations to Samantha Shields, DVM, MVetSci (Conservation Medicine) Dean of St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine (SMUSVM), for her appointment to the Cayman Islands’ National Conservation Council (NCC)!
This honor will allow Dr. Shields to contribute greatly to government conservation strategy, planning efforts and initiatives in support of Cayman Islands ecosystems and diverse species, both on Grand Cayman, the home of SMUSVM, and the sister islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
As a technical expert in Conservation Medicine, Dr. Shields helps the NCC meet its mandate of including members with scientific or technical expertise in fields related to conservation, animal health, ecosystem management or other relevant disciplines.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Shields for taking on this important role – caring for island ecosystems, species and inhabitants perfectly demonstrates our community’s ongoing commitment to providing support and care for the natural world!
Given her extensive experience, deep knowledge and varied skills in the field of conservation and animal health, we know Dr. Shields will make an immediate and lasting impact on the ecological health of the Cayman Islands.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Shields has made extensive contributions to many interrelated fields. As an educator, she has developed and taught a number of courses, including the Clinical Nutrition, Ethics & Communication, and Aquatic Animal Medicine elective courses. She also co-founded, coordinated and taught in the MARVET (Marine Veterinary Medicine) program, which offers veterinary students and veterinarians an introductory lecture and hands-on workshop in Marine Conservation Medicine. In addition to her teaching duties, Dr. Shields completed a Masters in Veterinary Science, Conservation Medicine, with Distinction from the University of Edinburgh in 2020, and works in a leadership and administrative role as the Dean of the St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine.
In addition to her responsibilities at SMUSVM, Dr. Shields is also a member of the Blue Iguana Conservation (BIC) Steering Committee, where she also volunteers. Formerly, she was the President of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition (AAVN), where she coordinated and managed the annual nutrition symposium and represented AAVN on the Pet Nutrition Alliance Board. Dr. Shields was chosen by Vet Tech Colleges as one of the top 15 Marine Veterinary Professors in 2014.
We are so proud to see valued St. Matthew’s University team members take advantage of opportunities to share their passion and knowledge with the world around them, and show their communities the same care their students experience every day.
Please join us in congratulating and thanking Dr. Samantha Shields once again!
About the NCC
The National Conservation Council’s primary function is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of the Cayman Islands’ natural resources and biological diversity. It consists of five statutory members, representing the Departments of Environment, Planning and Agriculture, plus a member representing the National Trust for the Cayman Islands; and eight members appointed by the Cabinet, of which at least four must have relevant scientific or technical expertise.
Visit conservation.ky to learn more.
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