University of Connecticut Athletics
FH Feature: Where Are They Now? Megan Palmisano
9/4/2020 8:45:00 AM | Field Hockey
by Danny Barletta
Megan Palmisano played four seasons for UConn's storied field hockey team. As a player, she won four Big East Championships, made it to three Final Fours and won two National Championships in 2013 and 2014.
However, it is what she has done since graduating UConn that has helped her achieve a childhood dream.
Growing up in Chatham, New Jersey, Palmisano always knew she wanted to be a veterinarian.
"From the time I could talk I loved animals," Palmisano said. "I always knew I wanted to do something that involved animals, and the idea of being a veterinarian and having the ability to help them was something that stuck with me as I grew up."
Palmisano developed a love for all animals, especially horses through the riding camps she did starting in elementary school. While playing field hockey at UConn, she also studied animal science while at UConn and graduated with her B.S. in 2016. She immediately moved on to veterinary school at the University of Florida.
" Being a student athlete taught me so much," Palmisano said. "I loved working in a team and I think that is a huge part of who I am today. The perseverance, hard work, and determination it takes to become a student athlete is what helped me to get into vet school and become a veterinarian."
Palmisano recalls that her interview for the University of Florida was on the same day as a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA Tournament. Since she wasn't able to interview in person, she had a Skype interview just before taking the field to help the Huskies advance to the Elite Eight.
While in school, Palmisano developed a special love for equine internal medicine, which makes sense given her background with horses. After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida, where she graduated with many scholarships and awards, she decided to intern at a place where she could work closely with her favorite animal.
In June, she began at Rhinebeck Equine as an intern doctor. Rhinebeck Equine is a multi-doctor veterinary practice located in Rhinebeck, New York. As an intern, she will get to work in two different surgery services: internal medicine and ambulatory.
"My experience at Rhinebeck Equine has been amazing," Palmisano said. "I expected being an intern to be difficult, and some days the hours are long and the days can be taxing, but I absolutely love this hospital and working alongside my coworkers. Working closely and collaborating with my internmates on cases is so much fun and the mentorship provided by our senior clinicians allows us constant support. I have learned so much in just three short months and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the year will bring."
Palmisano has a special interest in internal medicine, especially critical care cases, neonatology and respiratory diseases. Because of this, in the fall she plans on applying for residency in large animal internal medicine, which will require another three to four years of training.
Palmisano said that being a large animal veterinarian is great because she can become a specialist for all body systems instead of just one. She can also work with all kinds of animals, such as horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, alpacas and llamas.
Palmisano accomplished a lot on the field hockey pitch in Storrs, but now she will look to accomplish even more as a full-time animal doctor.
"I hope to make an impact on the veterinary profession," Palmisano said. "My career goals are to become a large animal internal medicine specialist but regardless of where my career takes me I want to be known as a doctor who was passionate about the profession, and the well being of her patients. I am so happy at the end of each day knowing I was able to help an animal and help an owner feel secure in their horse's care."
