Two years after graduating from journalism school at the University of Buffalo (UB), Ross Vet faculty member Adam Silkworth, DVM ’14 did a complete 180 and decided to pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian. “From the time I was a small child, I had a passion for animals and always said I wanted to be a veterinarian. I had fish, geckos, dogs, cats, and chickens growing up. After realizing I did not possess the passion to make a career in journalism, I asked myself what I truly wanted to be when I grew up (at 25 years old!). I put my college cap back on, got myself in gear, and became a veterinarian by 30 years old. Better late than never!”
Dr. Silkworth’s path into veterinary medicine was far from linear. He enrolled at Mercy College and completed his science requirements to apply to veterinary school. He attended Ross Vet from 2012 to 2014 and then completed his clinical year at Purdue University.
Why Ross Vet?
“I heard about Ross Vet from a mentor of mine who attended back in the ’90s, and I was immediately hooked on the idea of attending veterinary school in the Caribbean. Ross Vet was the only vet school I applied to. Thank goodness I got accepted!”
After graduating from Ross Vet, Dr. Silkworth worked in small animal private practice at A.C.E. Veterinary Hospital in Hopewell Junction, New York from 2015 to 2017 and returned to his alma mater in January 2017. For him, the decision to return to the island of St. Kitts was influenced by his experience as a student. “I decided to work at my alma mater for the simple reason of being able to live in the Caribbean. I loved my time here as a student so to be able to come back, call St. Kitts home, and help educate the next generation of veterinarians was a blessing.”
A community like no other
On any given day, you can find Dr. Silkworth working as a general practice and emergency clinician at the Ross University Veterinary Clinic (RUVC) and as an instructor in the DVM program. “One thing I appreciate about the community is how accepting people are. I am a guest on this island, but the community really makes it feel like home for myself and my family, and that means a lot to us! I also love that there is always someone willing to help or give advice when you have a problem. You can always find someone on campus that has an answer to your question or a solution to your problem.”
It’s a long way from his hometown, Poughkeepsie, New York but the island and community have become home to him. “Growing up, I was very involved in sports and recreational activities. I spent a lot of time outside with friends riding bikes, playing games, and participating in town and school sports. These days, I stay active playing tennis and walking the golf course with my family. I love to sit on my porch and enjoy the sounds of the island, the amazing views and stars, and I tell myself every day, ‘life is good and there is no place that I would rather be’.”
