Deanne Wilkinson (she/her)

Program: MSc student 
Supervisor: Dr. Tasha Epp, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, WCVM
Home community: Ste. Rose du Lac, Man. 

• DVM, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan — 2012
• BSc, University of Guelph — 2007

Dr. Deanne Wilkinson grew up on a mixed farm near Oakville, Man., before completing her Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree at the University of Guelph and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan.

After nine years of mixed animal private practice in rural Manitoba, Dr. Wilkinson joined Manitoba Agriculture as an extension veterinarian. Through her work with the Manitoba Chief Veterinary Office, she became fascinated with disease outbreak response and field epidemiology.

In her spare time, Dr. Wilkinson raises purebred and commercial Gelbvieh cattle with her husband and three children. The family's farm also includes cats, dogs, horses and pigs. In addition, Dr. Wilkinson works to raise awareness of mental well-being initiatives in agriculture and veterinary medicine through volunteer work with the Canadian Centre for Agriculutural Wellbeing (CCAW) and the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA).

Dr. Wilkinson is working in animal disease preparedness through communication efforts that aim to support private veterinary teams and industry, who can then provide guidance to producers and the public.

This work also extends into surveillance and control programs for Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis.