Kaci Way

I trace my passion for the agricultural industry to my childhood, where I grew up on my family’s show pig farm and spent time on my uncle’s dairy. My interest in cattle and bovine medicine began at the age of 5 years old, when I fed a dairy calf for the very first time. There is something about bottle-feeding and being greeted by a young calf’s sandpaper tongue that leaves a lasting impression on a child. From there, I became active in agriculture by exhibiting pigs throughout the country, along with sheep, and cattle at my county fair. Involvement in 4-H and FFA strengthened my passion, leading to my bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University (OSU). Involvement in the Saddle & Sirloin club, OSU Livestock Judging Team, and Alpha Sigma Upsilon agricultural sorority occupied my time in undergrad. Currently, I am a third-year veterinary student at OSU. During school, I am active with the Food Animal Club, serving as the social chair, along with a wet-lab chair for the student-ran Food Animal Medicine Student Symposium which is hosted by Ohio State. I am also an active member of the Veterinary Fraternity, OTS, where I serve as Senior Delegate. This year, Ohio State hosted the national meeting for OTS which will be overseen by me. Additionally, I am a member of the Veterinary Public Health Club. While I am still navigating my future career, one thing is certain: I desire to be employed in the food animal industry, and more specifically, dairy, beef, and swine. After first year, I worked as a veterinary student intern for The Maschhoffs, a large-scale swine production company based in Illinois. This opportunity led to presenting summer research at the Leman Swine Conference, during which I received the Morrison Swine Innovator Student Award, and at AASV where I received a Top 10 Student Oral Presentation Scholarship. To strengthen my cattle knowledge, I spent last summer with New Pittsburg Vet Clinic in Wooster, OH. This practice is 95% dairy, with the rest being made up of small ruminants, swine, and beef cattle. I was also blessed to be living at home for the summer, which allowed me to partake in other activities that I am very passionate about. This includes volunteering in 4-H. I am a co-owner of a 60 sow showpig operation, and in my spare time, I provide free showmanship lessons to youth, along with feeding advice and help throughout the summer. 4-H and FFA strongly impacted my career path, so I am beginning to give back to youth and I hope to increase my involvement following graduation. I also enjoy volunteering with my home church in my spare time, and it is a goal of mine to become an active leader in whichever rural community I end up practicing in.