The Lincoln Memorial University - Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) recognized Tabatha Rowe with the Mary Hatfield Early Career Achievement in Veterinary Medical Technology Award during the LMU Homecoming festivities on October 12. This award, established in 2024, honors early-career graduates of the Veterinary Medical Technology (VMT) program for their outstanding professional achievements within ten years of graduation.
The award is named after Mary Hatfield, AS, BS, M.Ed., LVMT, LAT, a longtime leader in veterinary medical technology education at LMU, who served as the program coordinator from 1986 to 2008 and as the program director from 2009 to 2015. The Mary Hatfield Early Career Achievement in Veterinary Medical Technology Award recognizes professionals, like Rowe, who have made early and impactful strides in veterinary care and leadership.
Rowe has been a dedicated member of the animal care field for over 11 years. After beginning her veterinary career as a veterinary assistant, Rowe pursued an online Veterinary Technology program at San Juan College before transferring to LMU, where she completed her Associate of Science in Veterinary Medical Technology in 2020. She credits her time at LMU for preparing her to excel as a veterinary technician and has since made a significant impact in her field.
Since 2021, Rowe has worked as a veterinary technician at Emory Animal Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is passionate about her role, particularly the teamwork she experiences with her fellow veterinary care providers. In addition to her work at the hospital, Rowe was elected President of the Tennessee Veterinary Technicians Association (TVTA) for the 2024-2025 term. Recently, she successfully organized her first continuing education conference in Pigeon Forge, which drew 80 attendees and was met with widespread praise.
"Tabatha’s dedication to her profession and her leadership within the veterinary technician community exemplify the spirit of the Mary Hatfield Early Career Achievement Award," said LMU-CVM Dean Stacy Anderson, DVM, PhD, DACVS-LA. "Her commitment to advancing veterinary care and her efforts to foster collaboration and education among her peers make her a deserving recipient."
Rowe, who is married to Logan and the proud mother of a 15-year-old daughter, Emily, who plays soccer at Karns High School, plans to pursue a specialty in rehabilitation and pain management as she continues her veterinary career.
Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. The LMU-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine is located on LMU’s main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee, with additional academic facilities in nearby Lee County, Virginia. LMU-CVM is an integral part of the University’s medical programs and provides real-world, community-based education in a collaborative learning environment. For more information about LMU-CVM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 6600 or visit us online at vetmed.LMUnet.edu.
