Why we are falling for Chris Hollingsworth

There is no test too scary for Chris Hollingsworth.

Whether it’s flying a plane, skydiving at 10,000 feet, visiting one of the world’s largest waterfalls, or working in a neurosurgery lab, he is willing to take on anything without fear of failure.

Currently a fourth-year veterinary medicine student at Virginia-Maryland CVM, Chris is originally from Guyana, South America. After growing up in Silver Spring, Maryland he went on to attend Morehouse College, an all-male historically Black college located in Atlanta, Georgia. But before heading off to vet school, he worked as a technician in a small animal practice as well as a lab animal technician/research assistant for a clinical mycology lab at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

Nowadays, Chris is busier than ever!

With goals to one day practice as a board-certified veterinary neurosurgeon, he knows that resilience, enthusiasm, and being self-driven are the qualities needed to succeed.

Vet Candy is delighted to introduce this exceptional professional to our readers. Today, Chris Hollingsworth discuses some of the changes he would love to see happen in the world (and veterinary medicine) while also sharing why finding your own purpose in life is important.  

Introducing, the amazing Chris Hollingsworth!

Building Bridges for the Next Generation

Consistency. Reliability. Empathy. Intention.

These are the human qualities that Chris admires most. However, the unfortunate truth is that these traits are often lacking, particularly from those who are in positions of great power and who hold authority over others.

Chris explains:

“I am outspoken on so many issues surround race, diversity, and inclusion. This is a multifactorial issue with a laundry list of things that need to change, but I believe it starts with the removal of the morally bankrupt oppressors from the positions of power. Everyone has a right to be who they are and live a life where they are free from unfair judgement, and imposition of cruel laws that seek to dehumanize them.”

Vet Candy certainly agrees!

As one of the least diverse professions in the United States, veterinary medicine needs to evolve.  Fortunately, we have powerful advocates like Chris Hollingsworth leading the charge.

When asked what his mission in life is, Hollingsworth’s feelings are similar. He replied:

“I want to leave this world better than how it currently is. Either by advancing the field of veterinary medicine and neurology or inspiring the next generation of minority veterinarians. At the end of the day, I consider myself to be a bridge builder for those coming up behind me.”

This includes speaking out about DEI initiatives, and also some of the horrendously outdated notions associated with being new to the career.

For example, unpaid/underpaid internships.

“Of course, diversity and inclusion are something near and dear to my heart,” says Chris Hollingsworth, “But there is something I feel strongly about of late since applying for internships. It is the notion that interns and residents can be paid $30-40k a year. And it certainly isn’t due to the lack of funding. It is because it ‘s rooted in a deep foundation of privilege where only people who come from financially affluent families can afford to take on things like unpaid/UNDERpaid internships.”

He adds, “Have we not sacrificed enough through four years of veterinary school? Why must we (as doctors!) work extra shifts on top of a crazy post-grad training in order to eat?”

It’s an excellent question.

Beyond just causing financial hardship, this antiquated mentality hurts academia too.

Even though schools are desperate for teachers and specialists, most vets end up skipping the internship route because another thee or four years of living close to the poverty line is too much of a struggle. Ultimately, it is the next generation of students who will miss out…

Unless as Chris says, we make a change!

Find Your Purpose in Life

In the future, Chris hopes to be a board-certified veterinary neurosurgeon/neurologist with 5-star yelp reviews and the coolest vet med YouTube channel ever.

But no matter who you are, finding your purpose in life matters.

“It will change your outlook on your career,” Chris encourages Vet Candy readers. “Once you find your purpose, you will see your job as a paid hobby in some cases. I also found that I carry myself differently. Overall, I am in such a great place mentally knowing that every day I get the chance to live in my purpose.”