Maxi Malmstrom’s journey to becoming a veterinarian has been a unique one. A fourth-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Malmstrom is preparing to graduate and pursue her dream of specializing in emergency medicine. The Nashville, Tennessee native’s path to this point has been shaped by mentors and a passion for feline care.

Malmstrom’s interest in emergency veterinary medicine began during her sophomore year of undergraduate studies at Middle Tennessee State University. A mass email recruiting vet techs for an emergency clinic sparked her curiosity, and she decided to apply.

This early exposure solidified her desire to work in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment where she could make an immediate difference. “I had worked in a general practice before in high school, but emergency medicine just stuck with me,” she explained.

Although emergency medicine quickly captured Malmstrom’s attention, her interest in feline care came about more unexpectedly. Once terrified of cats, stemming from a traumatic childhood experience, her perspective changed when she started working with a local rescue group.

“I began fostering cats, and it completely changed how I saw them,” she said. “It takes time to earn their trust and understand them, but once you do, you realize how amazing they are.” Her fostering efforts quickly grew into an enduring passion, leading her to adopt several cats of her own.

At MSU CVM, Malmstrom served as president of the Feline Club, where she worked closely with faculty advisors like feline expert Dr. Sharon Grace and small animal surgeon Dr. Tracy Jaffe. These mentors played a huge role in shaping her approach to feline medicine. She has become particularly passionate about improving care for cats in emergency settings, where their unique needs are often overlooked.

“I want to specialize so that I can provide cats with the best possible care during emergencies,” she said. “They are often more stressed than other animals at veterinary visits—and especially during emergency situations, where the option for pretreatment to manage their stress or waiting to provide treatment at a follow-up visit isn’t an option.”

Malmstrom credits much of her success to the supportive community she found at MSU CVM. “The connections you make with clubs and mentors are so important,” she said. “Having amazing doctors guide me and working with incredible clients and patients have left a lasting impact.”

As she prepares to return to Tennessee and begin her career, Malmstrom offers advice to those considering vet school: “Lean on your people. Whether it’s family, friends, or classmates, they’ll get you through tough times. Remember, you are here for a reason. People before you have done it, and you can too.”