Welcome back: Dr. Miriam Talaat, VR06
Miriam Talaat, D.V.M., DACVS, VR06 (she/her), a board-certified small animal surgeon and former resident at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, was appointed as assistant clinical professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences in October.
Talaat lived in both the United States and the Middle East growing up, residing in Saudi Arabia for seven years and Qatar for two, as her father served as a petroleum engineer. She was fortunate to travel throughout Europe during summer vacations on her way back to the States to visit family.
She earned a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College and a D.V.M. from North Carolina State University. After a one-year rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at Purdue University, Talaat completed a small animal surgical residency at Cummings School’s Henry and Lois Foster Hospital for Small Animals in 2006. “My residency was one of my favorite times in my career because of the high level of care provided at Foster Hospital [for Small Animals], the ability to collaborate with other exceptional services and dedicated clinicians, and the focus on continual learning and advancement of knowledge within the profession,” she recalls.
Following her residency, Talaat started the surgery department at Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatments & Specialties in Walpole with Dr. Emily McCobb, V00, VG02 (MAPP). An associate clinical professor in Clinical Sciences, McCobb currently directs the School’s Shelter Medicine Program.
Talaat later worked in private veterinary practices in a few locations, the Washington, D.C. area, Denver, and Toronto. “Throughout my career, I have always prioritized client education and patient care,” she explains. “It’s my responsibility to help my patients and their families, by providing high-quality medical care and helping them to navigate the stress of veterinary care and compassionately providing them the information needed to make the best decisions possible.”
She is eager to get involved in research while assisting students and clients and is thrilled to be back on campus. “After years of experience providing surgical services in private practice, I look forward to contributing to the profession through teaching and research,” Talaat says. “It’s been rewarding to see students learn and play a role in their learning by sharing the knowledge I’ve gained through experience and from my mentors throughout my career.”
On a personal note, Talaat is a lover of big dogs and after losing her Greater Swiss Mountain Dog earlier this year, she hopes to welcome a new canine friend soon.