From SGU to Saving Wildlife Around the World: Spotlight on Kate Williams, DVM ’18
Veterinary surgeon Kate Williams, DVM ’18, has built a career that merges her clinical expertise with a deep passion for wildlife conservation.
Veterinary surgeon and St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine graduate, Kate Williams, DVM ’18, has built a career that merges her clinical expertise with a deep passion for wildlife conservation.
Dr. Williams now works at Palmerstown Veterinary Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, one of the country’s few exotic animal hospitals. Specializing in zoological medicine and soft tissue surgery, she treats everything from rare species to beloved pets.
“Every day I’m learning new skills and dealing with new animal species,” Dr. Williams said. “It keeps the job exciting and keeps me motivated.”
Originally from England, Kate first came to Ireland during her clinical year at SGU. Drawn by the opportunity to explore a new country close to home, she ended up falling in love with Ireland. She met her husband there and decided to stay.
Ireland’s tight-knit veterinary community and welcoming environment reminded her of her time in Grenada, where SGU’s island setting became a meaningful part of her academic journey.
“Ireland is a small country; it reminds me of Grenada a little bit actually! The veterinary community is small and everyone knows everyone, which is a nice collaborative way of working,” she said.
A Passion for Animals That Started Early
From a young age, Dr. Williams knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. Her household was filled with animals, thanks to her mother’s love of pets, which planted the seeds for her future career.
“I particularly love working with big game and endangered species because I feel like I’m making a difference in their conservation,” she said. “Long term, I want to continue advancing my surgical skills and gain more experience in both zoological and wildlife medicine.”
Her global perspective has been shaped by extensive international fieldwork. Dr. Williams has participated in wildlife projects in India, Thailand, Costa Rica, South Africa, Australia, and Borneo. One of her most memorable experiences was working with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), helping rehabilitate orphaned orangutans for release back into the wild.
“Most of these orangutans were orphaned due to the palm oil trade,” she explained. “BOSF teaches them the skills they would have learned from their mothers in the wild. Their work inspired me so much that I based my master’s dissertation on it.”
In 2021, Dr. Williams earned her MSc in Conservation Medicine from the University of Edinburgh, further cementing her commitment to the field.
Dr. Williams is also a certified Fear Free practitioner—one of the few in Ireland—and works with Loop Abroad, an organization that runs veterinary education programs overseas. In her most recent role, she led a group of pre-vet students at a wildlife sanctuary in Australia, teaching them both clinical basics and the unique challenges of working with indigenous wildlife.
Reflecting on her time at SGU, Dr. Williams credits the University with providing her with a solid foundation in practical veterinary skills.
“SGU gave me an outstanding education,” Dr. Williams said. “Particularly on the practical side, the education I received was excellent and put me at an advantage for my clinical year. Those skills gave me the confidence to excel in that year and beyond graduation. It gave me a foundation to be a better vet.”
— Laurie Chartorynsky
