From Vet School Mom to Powerhouse Veterinarian: How Dr. Elan Armstrong Does It All

Dr. Elan Armstrong’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s downright jaw-dropping. Imagine juggling vet school, motherhood, and a master’s degree, all while keeping your eye on the prize. Now, fast-forward to today: she’s a thriving veterinarian, a master of emergency medicine, and a mom of four.

So, how did she do it? With sheer resilience, determination, and a touch of well-earned chaos.

The Vet School Hustle: Divorcing, Degrees, and Determination

When Dr. Armstrong started vet school, she was a single mom navigating a divorce—a challenge most students couldn’t even fathom. While her classmates were pulling all-nighters studying, she was balancing late-night storytelling with exam prep. But giving up? That was never an option.

Between vet school at St. George’s University, a clinical year at Cornell, and pursuing her Master’s in Public Health, Dr. Armstrong had every reason to say, “I can’t.” Instead, she doubled down.

"I think the scariest decision I ever made was to forego research and jump into clinical practice," she admits. But that leap of faith paid off. She dove headfirst into emergency medicine after graduation—a field that demands quick thinking, long hours, and a strong stomach.

From Survival Mode to Thriving Mode

Now a leader in her hospital, Dr. Armstrong has built a career on resilience, determination, and curiosity—three qualities she credits for getting her where she is today. But her success isn’t just about what she’s accomplished professionally. It’s also about how she manages to balance it all.

After a grueling shift saving lives, how does she reset? "A long, hot shower and meditating. Or, if I’m lucky, a directionless drive—alone, with no kids in the car." (Honestly, every parent can relate.)

Mom of Four, Master of Multitasking

Today, she’s raising four incredible kids while continuing to thrive in veterinary medicine. Having navigated the challenges of a divorce and subsequently remarried, her family has grown into a vibrant, loving unit.

But she’s not just surviving—she’s strategizing. In five years, she sees herself as not just a more experienced vet but also a “seasoned trader and connoisseur of the stock market.” Financial literacy is just another skill she’s determined to master.

Advice for Future Trailblazers

Her biggest piece of advice for her younger self? "Take advantage of every single opportunity that comes your way and plan for a future that is closer than it seems."

And if she wasn’t a vet? She’d be a world-renowned classical singer. (We’d pay to see that.)

So, What’s Next for Dr. Armstrong?

With a career in emergency medicine, a household of future leaders, and a knack for tackling life’s challenges head-on, Dr. Armstrong is proof that you can have it all—with a little grit, a lot of late nights, and maybe a hot shower or two.

Want to follow in her footsteps? Her journey is the ultimate reminder: Don’t let anything stand between you and your dreams.