Interview with W. Brian Saunders

Where and when graduated:

DVM - Texas A&M University - 2001

PhD - Texas A&M University - 2005

Qualifications...Employment immediately after Graduation.and current position?

Immediately after graduation, I completed a rotating small animal internship at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville Tennessee.  In 2002 I returned to Texas A&M and subsequently obtained a PhD in vascular biology from the Health Science Center in 2005.  I next completed a small animal surgical residency at Texas A&M and obtained board certification as an ACVS diplomate in 2010.  I am currently an assistant professor of small animal orthopedics at Texas A&M University.

G.S-S. What or who decided you to become a veterinarian?

I grew up around animals, primarily livestock and horses.  My father's family had a small cow/calf operation in central Texas and I spent much of my free time in that environment.  My father is a dentist and was also friends with several medical doctors (rheumatologist and orthopedist), who I spent time with in high school.  For these reasons I was attracted to medicine in general, but my love of horses ultimately caused me to select veterinary medicine as my career path.

G.S-S. Do you recall why you became interested in Orthopaedics and why did it decide you to specialise?

I was focused on equine surgery through my first two years of veterinary school.  My goal was to become an equine orthopedic surgeon.  Between my second and third year of veterinary school, someone in my immediate family experience major orthopedic trauma - an intra-articular fracture that required multiple operation and resulted in poor function and long-term disability.  I became interested in orthopedic trauma and subsequently joint replacement.  At the same time, one of the small animal orthopedic faculty at Texas A&M, Dr. Don Hulse, mentored me on a small animal orthopedics research project and began to give me advice on specialty training.  For those reasons I transitioned my future career path from equine orthopedics to small animal orthopedics.

I made the decision to specialize because of my passion for orthopedics and the direct impact that orthopedic trauma had on one of my family members.  I obtained my graduate training because of a long-term interest in a career incorporating high quality research and the goal of someday contributing to solutions for veterinary and human patients suffering from the debilitation caused by osteoarthritis and orthopedic trauma.  I also enjoy teaching and training future veterinarians and veterinary specialists.  I enjoy the diversity and intellectual stimulation that comes with an academic appointment.  In my current position I am able to enjoy clinical practice, research, and teaching.