An Indian-origin Veterinarian Has Won Oklahoma Veterinarian of The Year
Dr. Kishore graduated from Madras Veterinary College (MVC) in India in 2007 and went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri in 2010. Dr. Kishore then completed a year of clinical rotations at Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) Veterinary College’s PAVE programme from 2011 to 2012. During his final year, he had the opportunity to visit Neel Veterinary Hospital in Oklahoma City. Dr. Tina Neel, the hospital’s founder, and other veterinarians mentored him, firmly establishing his career path in Oklahoma. Dr. Kishore has earned a Specialist Diplomate from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Canine and Feline) since joining Neel Veterinary Hospital, and he was named one of the ABVP Founding ER Fellows in 2022.
“Being presented with the Veterinarian of the Year award is a wonderful surprise. I am grateful to God, my parents, family, and coworkers for their support throughout my life and career. Every day at Neel Veterinary Hospital, I strive to provide the best possible patient care through consultations, surgeries, scopes, and treatments. I really enjoy mentoring vet students, veterinarian interns, and all newly graduated veterinary associates who want to learn in our emergency and specialty hospitals. It’s very rewarding for me to guide this new generation of veterinarians, just as my own mentors did in India and the United States. “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Don Spiers, Dr. Megan Garrison, and Dr. Tina Neel for their mentorship during my graduate school and practice years,” Dr. Kishore said upon receiving the award. Dr. Kishore thanked the faculty and friends of his alma mater, MVC, Mizzou, OSU, and OVMA.
Dr. Neel, an OSU Veterinary College graduate from 1979, was nominated for the VOTY award. She stated, “I recognised Dr. Kishore’s superstar ability right away and knew he would be able to propel our hospital forward. During his ten years at Neel Veterinary Hospital, he established our cancer research department, which collaborates with universities and organisations to provide cutting-edge therapies to our patients. Dr. Kishore has also introduced complex surgical procedures, allowing us to provide advanced treatment for a wide range of emergencies and complicated diseases. He is a tremendous asset to our hospital and sets the best example of a great veterinarian for our staff.”
Katy Hawkins, the practice manager at Neel Veterinary Hospital, organised a large group of staff members to attend the awards ceremony as a surprise for Dr. Kishore. “A few years ago, Dr. Kishore saved my dog’s life by performing a delicate surgery to remove a tumour from Murphy’s aorta. Murphy would have died within hours if not for Dr. Kishore’s skill and precision. He saves lives every day at our hospital, but the best thing about him, in my opinion as a pet owner, is that he genuinely cares about each patient he sees. He goes above and beyond to learn, research, and communicate so that each pet owner knows he will do everything in his power to provide their pets with the most comfortable and pain-free life possible’, Katy Hawkins, Practice Manager, said following the ceremony.
Dr. Kishore was born and raised in India and is proud of his heritage. He has mentored veterinary professionals from all over the world. He enjoys cricket, spending time with his wife Blessy, his two children Derek and Addilyn, and his dog Smiley.
