Driven by her desire to make a difference in the world, Kimberly Rae Carlson decided to focus on a particularly vulnerable group: animals. She was inspired to become a veterinary surgeon after volunteering with the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago. She saw a lot of bad cases of abuse and neglect, and knew she had to do more to help. Dr. Carlson proceeded to obtain a DVM from the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001 and a diploma from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2008. She also garnered hands-on experience as a surgical resident at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and as a surgeon at Veterinary Surgical Centers Delta.
Today, Dr. Carlson works at North Peninsula Veterinary Surgical Group in San Mateo, California. She previously lent her talents to Bay Area Veterinary Specialists beginning in 2011, where she specialized in oncologic surgery, orthopedic surgery and trauma. Her favorite part of her job is developing relationships with clients; she has met some really interesting people over the years, and has made many friends and connections. Dr. Carlson’s patients appreciate her compassion and her willingness to involve them in the decision-making process. They also appreciate the fact that she is the only surgeon in the Bay Area that will guarantee after-hours visits. She will even make visits and do surgeries in the middle of the night, if necessary.
Another thing Dr. Carlson likes about her field is its ever-changing nature. Every time she thinks she’s seen it all, something new comes in that requires her to learn new techniques and procedures. Notably, Dr. Carlson has become one of the top 10 providers of stem cell therapy to animals in the entire country. To help her stay on top of developments in her industry, Dr. Carlson affiliates with American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
