Journey into Poultry Medicine: Spotlight on Dr. Megan Lighty

A Passion Redefined

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Dr. Megan Lighty initially dreamt of becoming an equine veterinarian. However, a pivotal moment during her first year at Pennsylvania State University redirected her path. Accepting a part-time research assistant role in the poultry science department opened her eyes to a new field. “I realized I was more interested in infectious diseases and studying how they spread through populations than I was in treating individual animals,” Dr. Lighty remarked.

Academic Accomplishments

After earning her veterinary degree in 2013 from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Lighty pursued her PhD in biomedical and veterinary sciences at Virginia Tech, completing it in 2015. Her dedication led her to become a diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians just two years later, further solidifying her expertise in the field.

Career Milestones

Dr. Lighty spent four years as a staff veterinarian for Jennie-O Turkey Store, a significant player in the turkey production industry. In 2020, she was thrilled to accept her “dream job” as an associate clinical professor at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. In this role, she also serves as the avian diagnostic and outreach veterinarian for the university’s Animal Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL), collaborating closely with both the poultry industry and small-flock poultry clients.

Challenges in Poultry Medicine

The ongoing threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has posed numerous challenges for poultry veterinarians, with the H5N1 strain causing widespread concern. Dr. Lighty has encountered several cases within Pennsylvania and has noted that, since its identification in commercial poultry in February 2022, outbreaks have been confirmed across all states.

Preventive Strategies and Communication

Despite limited treatment options for affected poultry, Dr. Lighty emphasizes the importance of diagnosis and preventive measures. “A lot of my job as a poultry vet involves diagnosing a problem and then figuring out preventive options for future flocks,” she explained. Effective communication is crucial, especially when discussing sensitive topics with clients managing beloved pets or farms impacted by H5N1 outbreaks.

Guidance for Aspiring Veterinarians

For those pursuing a career in poultry medicine, Dr. Lighty advises gaining a diverse range of experiences. “Having first-hand experience seeing how birds are raised makes me a better diagnostician,” she noted, underlining the importance of on-farm production experience.

As the poultry industry continues to face evolving challenges, the work of dedicated professionals like Dr. Megan Lighty remains vital to ensuring the health and sustainability of poultry populations.

Source: AVMA