We recently brought in a new Safety and Technical Services Veterinarian. We are so excited to welcome Dr. Amber Vibert to the VetStem team! Learn more about Dr. Vibert and her veterinary experience in this week’s blog!

Shifting Gears: Deciding to Pursue Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Vibert grew up in Connecticut and is a diehard fan of the New England Patriots- even without Tom Brady, if you can believe that (though she concedes that she misses him terribly). Unlike many veterinarians, Dr. Vibert did not grow up with the intention to become a veterinarian. It was quite the opposite.

After receiving her Bachelor’s in clinical psychology with a focus on child development, Dr. Vibert planned to pursue a master’s degree in social work. However, one day she literally woke up and decided to pursue veterinary medicine after realizing that her most stimulating and rewarding job was that of an entry-level veterinary assistant when she was a senior in high school. And so she got a full time position as a vet assistant at a multi-doctor private practice and went back to school part time to complete the higher level science courses she needed to gain acceptance to veterinary school.

From Vet School in Indiana to Sunny San Diego

She completed the necessary schooling in three years and was accepted to Purdue University upon her first application. After her first year of vet school, she visited San Diego and fell in love with the palm trees, the beaches, and of course, the weather. Spending four years in the Midwest while at Purdue made Dr. Vibert miss the ocean. Having grown up on the coast of CT, the ocean was a huge part of her childhood. And while she misses the seasons and charm of New England, she certainly does not miss the long and cold winters. And so, upon graduation from vet school in 2006, Dr. Vibert planted her roots in sunny San Diego!

Gaining Experience in Emergency Medicine and General Practice

When she arrived in San Diego, Dr. Vibert completed a rotating internship at Veterinary Specialty Hospital and went on to spend several years as an emergency veterinarian. She enjoyed the fast pace and the quick decision making of emergency medicine. She stated, “For me, a successful outcome felt like winning the World Series or the Super Bowl!” She also honed her surgical skills and developed a passion for all types of soft tissue surgeries.

In 2011, she shifted gears into general practice. She enjoyed the relationships she built with her clients and their pets. In some cases, she felt like a part of their family. Dr. Vibert stated, “People revealed to me very personal things about their lives, which can sometimes take its toll (i.e. compassion fatigue), but more often just helped me understand them and care for them on a personal level. I became that much more invested in the well-being of their beloved pet.” Prior to joining VetStem, Dr. Vibert spent the last year and a half as Medical Director of a multi-doctor, small animal practice.

Joining the VetStem Team

Now, as our Safety and Technical Services veterinarian, Dr. Vibert has entered a whole new realm of veterinary medicine. Regarding joining the VetStem team, Dr. Vibert stated, “I am so excited to be learning so many new things at VetStem! Some of these things are obvious- learning about stem cells and their applications, learning about our laboratory processes and practices- but I’m also learning things like new computer software systems, how to write scientific papers, and organizing collaborative efforts on clinical development projects. I’m using my brain in ways that I never really had time to do in clinical practice!”

Dr. Vibert serves as our veterinary liaison to further develop relationships with existing and new veterinary clients. With an emphasis on safety, Dr. Vibert consults with veterinarians on stem cell and platelet therapy cases to provide insight and treatment recommendations. She stated, “I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of animal and human lives by way of regenerative medicine. I am also looking forward to forging new professional relationships with the veterinarians whom VetStem serves.”

Outside of Veterinary Medicine

In her spare time, Dr. Vibert enjoys endurance running, horseback riding, cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband, Tim. She has her own menagerie of pets that keep her laughing every day. These include one dog (Rally), two cats (George and Stevie Nicks, “Stevie”), one horse (Valor), and two rats (Igor, “Iggy” and “Luka”).

She has had several rats over the last few years (their average life span is ~2.5-3 years) and believes rats are hands down the best small mammal pets to have. She stated, “Rats are smart, social, affectionate, and very trainable. People who don’t know much about domestic rats are sometimes scared or feel adverse to them, but once you get past the stigma that they are dirty (which is very untrue- they are incredibly clean little animals) and get past the hairless tail, you will discover what awesome pets they make!”

So there you have it. Please send a warm welcome to Dr. Vibert and go get yourself a pet rat!