Veterinary student serves at keynote speaker at UF’s annual military dinner

UF veterinary student Kim McFarlane, center, is shown with her roommate, Ashleigh Alfonso, at left and then-UF President Kent Fuchs during the UF Military Reception and Program, held Nov. 16 at the Earl and Christy Powell University House.

Fourth-year UF veterinary student Kim McFarlane was the keynote speaker at the University of Florida’s annual Military Reception and Program honoring UF’s student veterans, active-duty, reservist and ROTC students.

The event was held in November at the Earl and Christy Powell University House. McFarlane was asked to speak because of her role in serving as president of the Collegiate Veteran Society. Her topic was “You Can’t Squeeze Water From a Rock” — meaning, you can’t do everything, and it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes.

“My message was to be kind to yourself, set healthy boundaries for yourself and know your limits,” McFarlane said.

A non-traditional veterinary student, McFarlane is a former head IB science teacher and a U.S. Army veteran who holds a master of science degree in biological sciences from Florida Atlantic University. Her plans following graduation from veterinary school include pursuing a Ph.D. in public health with a One Health concentration in UF’s Department of Environmental and Global Health and working part-time as an associate with Banfield Pet Hospital.