Kristine Burgess – DVM, MS, DACVIM
Dr. Kristine Burgess is a veterinary oncologist at the Foster Hospital for Small Animals, Dr.who also teaches medical oncology at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. She collaborates with several other institutions to run clinical trials for new and advanced cancer treatments for dogs and cats, which may lead to better oncology options for both pets and humans. She is board certified in oncology from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Growing up near Boston, Dr. Burgess had many pets and early on considered a career in veterinary medicine. However, after earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts, she considered a career in basic science cancer research. She eventually completed research at the world-renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Netherlands Cancer Institute, where her cancer medicine and research interests were honed. She ultimately returned to her first love and went on to earn her DVM from the Cummings School then joined its faculty after completing her residency training at the University of Wisconsin.
While at the Cummings School she has had the good fortune of working directly with fourth-year students and residents during their clinical rotations within the Foster Hospital for Small Animals. Dr. Burgess is honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to shape the future of veterinary students and residents in their careers as veterinarians and veterinary specialists. As she says, I love the diverse mix of teaching, research and clinical service that comprise my position at Tufts University.
One of the most satisfying aspects of my specialty is the ability to do clinical trials using new or novel chemotherapy or immunotherapy,
she says. Much like human medicine, these clinical trials can be an excellent option for pets with advanced cancers or for owners with financial limitations. It has been our experience that certain pets with a poor or grave prognosis can benefit from these treatments. It is those patients who have benefited most from these trials that provide a great deal of satisfaction, and the two-way path between veterinary and human oncology can benefit both animals and humans. There is no better feeling than knowing you made a difference in the life of an animal and the family who brought that animal to us. I am grateful for being able to offer our cancer patients top-notch, state-of-the-art and compassionate care.
Dr. Burgess lives with her husband and daughter, three dogs and many cats. She enjoys live music, biking, hiking and traveling.
Dr. Burgess' academic and research interests can be found on her faculty profile.