Lincoln Memorial University-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) student Kirsten Langa, a member of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2028, has been elected to serve as the national Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) Global & Public Health Officer (GPHO).
As GPHO, she will represent veterinary students nationwide on issues spanning disaster response, One Health, conservation medicine, military medicine, and public health initiatives.
“My passion for global and public health stems from a desire to make the broadest possible impact in veterinary medicine,” Langa said.
Langa’s journey with SAVMA was inspired by LMU-CVM mentors and a passion for servant leadership. A second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps through the Health Professions Scholarship Program, Langa brings a unique perspective to the position.
“My previous military training as an animal care specialist before veterinary school has given me a unique lens through which I view veterinary medicine and public health, one grounded in global awareness, unity, and mission-driven preparedness,” she said. “Public health victories are never achieved in isolation; they require veterinarians, physicians, environmental scientists, and policymakers working together.”
Langa is active in several initiatives at LMU and in the community, including serving as a representative for the LMU-CVM Paws of Valor club, volunteering with the Cumberland Gap Volunteer Fire Department, and contributing to a working dog research project alongside LMU faculty.
“I see this position as a launchpad for the kind of veterinarian and leader I aspire to be,” she said. “It is my hope that, years from now, I will look back on my GPHO term as the point where I not only grew into a more capable and confident leader, but also helped empower my peers to carry the torch of public health forward in their own careers.”
Langa will officially transition into the role at the SAVMA Symposium in March 2026
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.
