First Caymanian and female Senior Veterinary Officer appointed

“May this appointment encourage every little brown girl out there who thinks she may not be enough. Go and take up space! Our voices matter and need to be at the decision-making tables.”

Dr. Samantha Dorman

(CMR) Dr. Samantha Dorman was appointed Acting Senior Veterinary Officer earlier this month, making her the first Caymanian and female to take up this position. She has been employed as a Veterinary Officer with the Department of Agriculture for nine years and earned her Veterinary degree from Massey University, New Zealand, in November 2012.

She was the Department’s first Veterinary Officer (Designate), and upon successful completion of her internship program, she assumed the role of Veterinary Officer in 2015. After three years in farm animal clinical practice, she transitioned into a role more focused on regulatory/public health responsibilities and continues to spearhead initiatives and projects of this nature.

She is currently completing an MSc degree in One Health through the University of Edinburgh. She is passionate about promoting awareness surrounding the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the health of our environment. As a foodie, locavore, daughter, granddaughter of farmers, and promoter of sustainability, Dr. Dorman’s dissertation is naturally focused on national food security.

She is a member of the national working group for antimicrobial resistance/national One Health group, the Communicable Disease Surveillance Committee. She serves as the focal point for animal disease and veterinary product reporting to the World Organization of Animal Health (formerly the OIE) on behalf of The Cayman Islands.

Dr. Dorman recently completed the ILM Level 5 Certification in Leadership and Management (Innovation focus) through the Civil Service College. She continually integrates innovation, long-term strategic planning, and learning into the Department’s workplace culture. She serves as the Department’s LinkedIn Learning Champion and is passionate about the lifelong development of her staff and herself.

“I’m incredibly thankful and humbled to serve the Cayman Islands Government and the Agrisector in this capacity, and along with my skilled, passionate, and dedicated team, I am ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities to come.”